Sen. Nick Pisciottano

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for geothermal energy development in Pennsylvania. It creates the Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support projects, requires the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate regulations for geothermal operations, and defines key terms like "geothermal resource" and "geothermal well." The law directly affects developers seeking to extract geothermal energy (heat from the earth), landowners with geothermal resources, and the Department of Environmental Protection, which gains new duties to oversee projects. Key provisions include requiring permits for geothermal projects, setting liability rules for well operators, and imposing civil penalties for violations of the regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1113 requires health care facilities, insurers, and Medicaid Advantage/CHIP managed care plans in Pennsylvania to disclose when artificial intelligence (AI) is used for clinical decision making or patient communications. Facilities must provide clear disclosures in writing, on their public website, and include disclaimers for AI-generated communications with instructions to contact a human provider. The bill exempts routine administrative tasks (like scheduling or billing) and communications reviewed by a human from these disclosure rules. It imposes duties on the Departments of Health, Insurance, and Human Services to enforce compliance and sets penalties for violations.

Maddy summarySB 1087 creates a mileage-based road user charge for electric vehicles (EVs) in Pennsylvania, replacing the current gas tax for EVs. It specifically exempts military personnel on active duty stationed outside Pennsylvania from this charge during their overseas assignment. The bill also establishes a refund process for EV owners who qualify for the military exemption, allowing them to apply for reimbursement of charges paid during their eligible overseas duty period. This policy directly affects EV owners who are military members stationed out of state, adjusting their tax obligations based on residency during service.

Maddy summarySB 1076, the Local Hire Act, requires at least 50% of workers on public works projects costing over $500,000 to be hired from the local labor market (defined as Pennsylvania counties and adjacent bordering counties). Employers unable to meet this requirement must post job openings on PA CareerLink® for three business days; if no qualified local applicants are found, they may obtain a waiver but must contribute to a training fund based on the collective bargaining agreement for each waived position. The Department of Labor and Industry oversees the waiver process and enforces penalties for non-compliance. This law applies to contractors working on state or local government construction, repair, or alteration projects (excluding maintenance work).

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges all Pennsylvania state agencies to update their systems to allow diacritical marks (like accents) in names on official documents by July 1, 2027. It directly affects residents whose names include such marks, who currently face issues with mismatched names on documents like driver's licenses. The key provision sets a specific deadline for agencies to modernize outdated technology, particularly noting PennDOT's legacy systems as a current barrier. It does not create new law but formally requests agencies prioritize this change to ensure names are spelled correctly on all Commonwealth-issued documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1122) requires most health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania to cover menopause treatment. Specifically, it mandates coverage for FDA-approved drugs, behavioral therapy, and post-hysterectomy menopause treatments under Section 635.11 of the Insurance Company Law. The requirement applies to standard health insurance policies (excluding dental, vision, workers' compensation, and similar limited-benefit plans) and takes effect 60 days after enactment, with most policies needing to comply within 180 days of the effective date. It does not alter existing cost-sharing rules like deductibles or copays.

Maddy summarySB 734 designates a specific location for a commemorative bell monument at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding, highlighting Pennsylvania's historical role. The bill requires the Department of General Services to prepare the site and take ownership of the monument after the America250PA Commission disbands, ensuring its long-term maintenance. This procedural bill does not create new policies or affect residents directly, but formally authorizes the monument's placement on Capitol grounds.

Maddy summarySB 1019 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to clarify rules for small-scale renewable energy systems owned by residents and businesses (known as "customer-generators"). It sets specific capacity limits (50 kilowatts for residential systems, 3,000 kilowatts for non-residential locations) and requires that these systems produce no more than a customer's annual electricity use. The bill also changes how excess energy is compensated, capping payments at the utility's "avoided cost" (the cost the utility would incur to generate that energy) instead of full retail rates. This directly affects homeowners and small businesses with solar or wind systems seeking to sell surplus power back to the grid.

Maddy summarySB 176 amends Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Law to create a new eligibility exception for individuals who leave work due to domestic violence threatening their safety or their family's safety. This directly affects domestic violence survivors who might otherwise be disqualified from unemployment benefits for voluntarily quitting or failing to attend work. The bill allows applicants to verify domestic violence through protective orders, professional statements, or a self-affirmation (with documentation required within 120 days), while ensuring all records remain confidential and cannot be disclosed to employers. The Department of Labor must expedite eligibility determinations for qualifying applicants and provide automatic relief from employer benefit charges.

Maddy summarySB 1112, the "Contraceptive Access for All Act," requires most health insurance plans in Pennsylvania - including Medicaid managed care plans and private health insurance - to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays). It specifically mandates coverage for prescription contraceptives, emergency contraception (like levonorgestrel), and over-the-counter oral contraceptives, and prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization or step therapy for these items. The law applies to standard health insurance policies but excludes limited policies like dental, vision, or workers' compensation plans. It directly affects health insurers and managed care plans by requiring them to provide this coverage at no additional cost to enrollees.