Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to update the composition of the Grant Evaluation Committee, which oversees funding for veterans' programs. The change requires the committee to include five members appointed by the Adjutant General, along with four additional veteran members appointed by specific Senate and House leaders. These provisions directly affect the state veterans' agencies and the veterans who receive grants through the program. By adjusting how committee members are selected, the bill aims to ensure broader representation within the evaluation process.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to transfer approximately 1.71 acres of land and buildings in Philadelphia to the Philadelphia Housing Authority for a nominal fee of $50,000. The property, formerly known as the Philadelphia Nursing Home at 2100 West Girard Avenue, must be developed exclusively as a senior living facility and a mixed-income affordable housing project within five years, with a possible extension to ten years. The transfer includes specific conditions that require the property to revert to the state if it is used for prohibited purposes, such as a licensed alcohol facility, or if the affordable housing development is not completed on time. Additionally, the bill mandates the termination of an existing sublease with the City of Philadelphia and assigns all transaction costs to the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act to clarify how the state secretary can delegate regulatory duties to designated employees. It establishes that pesticide regulations are a statewide matter, preventing local governments from creating conflicting rules about the sale, transport, or general use of these products. However, it allows municipalities with a population density of at least 300 people per square mile to pass ordinances restricting outdoor pesticide applications by commercial applicators on private property, while explicitly excluding agricultural, public, and aerial applications from these local restrictions. The Department of Community and Economic Development is also tasked with creating a sample ordinance to help localities implement these new powers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new State Board of Electrical Licensure to oversee and regulate individuals and companies performing electrical work in Pennsylvania. It requires electrical contractors, electricians, and apprentice electricians to obtain a license from the board, which will be composed of government officials and industry professionals representing different sectors of the electrical field. To maintain their licenses, these individuals must meet specific qualifications, complete continuing education, and carry liability insurance, while the board has the authority to set fees and impose fines for violations. The legislation also establishes a process for suspending or revoking licenses for those who break the law or fail to meet regulatory standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia as the Leo Rosenblum Memorial Highway to honor the legacy of Leo Rosenblum, the founder of the long-standing Leo's Men's and Boy's Apparel store. The legislation formally recognizes Rosenblum's history as a Holocaust survivor and World War II resistance fighter while celebrating his family's three-generation business success in the North Philadelphia community. To implement this change, the Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain official signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling in both directions along the route. The act will become effective 60 days after its passage.

Maddy summarySB 1324 updates the definition of "income" used to determine eligibility for Pennsylvania's senior citizens property tax and rent rebate assistance programs. The bill clarifies that Social Security benefits received before 1999 are fully counted as income, while benefits received in 1999 and later count only half toward the income limit. It also includes a temporary provision ensuring that seniors who qualified for these rebates by December 31, 2012, will remain eligible even if their income exceeds the limit due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, though this protection expires on December 31, 2016. The legislation also explicitly lists several types of payments, such as surplus food, veterans' disability payments, and inflation dividends, that are excluded from the income calculation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to allow municipalities to regulate unauthorized camping and encampments on private property that lack sanitation or create unsanitary conditions. It defines these encampments as public nuisances and gives local governments the authority to issue notices to property owners, requiring them to remove the encampment within 30 days or face abatement at their expense. The legislation also establishes that property owners, including corporations and trusts, are liable for cleanup costs and fines, even if they cannot be personally served with notices, and allows cities to deny certain permits to owners who fail to address serious violations or unauthorized encampments.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates September 2024 as "Vertebral Subluxation Awareness Month" within the state of Pennsylvania. The measure aims to highlight the importance of chiropractic care by acknowledging the role of chiropractors in identifying and correcting spinal misalignments. By officially recognizing this month, the resolution seeks to increase public awareness about vertebral subluxations and their potential impact on nerve function and overall health.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally recognizes September 2024 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month throughout Pennsylvania. The bill highlights the severity of the disease by citing statistics on diagnoses, deaths, and the challenges of early detection, while also acknowledging the impact on Pennsylvanian families. It calls on the state to honor the struggles of those affected and to support efforts aimed at improving treatment and finding a cure. As a symbolic measure, the resolution does not alter laws or allocate funding but serves to raise public awareness about the condition.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Pennsylvania Senate to officially recognize October 2024 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the prevalence of pregnancy loss and infant mortality while noting disparities affecting Black families. It aims to increase public understanding and encourage compassion for those grieving these losses. By formally acknowledging the month, the bill seeks to support affected individuals and educate professionals who interact with them.