Sen. Camera Bartolotta

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Pennsylvania's fishing license fees for specific veterans and military members. Disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability (certified by the VA) receive free resident fishing licenses, while those with 60-99% disability pay $1. Deployed Pennsylvania National Guard members (with proof of 60+ days overseas deployment in the last 24 months) also get a $1 annual license. It repeals a prior section that provided similar $1 licenses to reserve component military members. The law took effect 60 days after the governor signed it on June 30, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 844 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to simplify the process for claiming small-value unclaimed property held by the state. It raises the threshold from $500 to $10,000 for the State Treasurer to automatically pay or deliver unclaimed property (or its proceeds) to a person identified as the sole owner in required reports, without requiring a formal claim. This directly affects individuals or entities with small-value unclaimed assets, such as forgotten bank accounts or checks under $10,000. The change streamlines the process for these smaller claims while maintaining existing reporting requirements under the law.

Maddy summarySB 101 amends Pennsylvania's Workforce Development Act to improve data access and accountability for local workforce boards. It requires these boards to use new hire and unemployment data (from the state's new hire database) when developing local plans, while allowing written exemption requests. The bill mandates a state-developed "data dashboard" displaying workforce data (like job placements and wages) in an accessible format, with free technical assistance provided by the Department of Labor and Industry. These changes directly affect local workforce development boards, the Department of Labor, and agencies using workforce data for program evaluation and reporting. Funding for the dashboard and technical assistance comes exclusively from the state's unemployment compensation reemployment fund.

Maddy summarySB 873 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law by expanding the definition of "local agency" to explicitly include charter schools, cyber charter schools, public trade or vocational schools, and certain associations defined under state law. This change ensures these entities must comply with the law's requirements for public access to government records. The amendment clarifies which local educational and governmental bodies are covered under the law without altering existing procedures or creating new obligations.

Maddy summarySB 880 amends Pennsylvania's public assistance laws to improve security for recipients' benefit access devices (like EBT cards). It requires recipients to report stolen devices immediately and mandates new security measures, including replacing magnetic-strip cards with chip technology, adding transaction alerts via text/email, and creating a mobile app feature to lock/unlock cards. The bill also establishes streamlined reporting procedures for theft and targets outreach to educate recipients on preventing fraud. These changes directly affect public assistance recipients who use electronic benefit cards to access food, cash, or other support. The law aims to reduce financial harm from card theft and skimming during normal transactions.

Maddy summarySB 876 establishes Pennsylvania's Home Preservation Grant Program, which provides funding to local governments (counties, cities, townships) to rehabilitate existing owner-occupied housing. The program requires grants to address habitability, improve energy/water efficiency, or increase accessibility for units owned by households earning no more than 120% of the area median income. Grants cannot exceed $50,000 per unit and may cover up to 10% of funds for administrative costs. Local governments must apply with detailed plans showing how funds will meet these requirements, with applications reviewed by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Maddy summarySB 344 creates a new 2026 special payment for retired municipal police officers and firefighters who began receiving retirement benefits before January 1, 2021. Retirees will receive monthly payments ranging from $75 (5-10 years retired) to $300 (20+ years retired) based on their retirement duration as of January 1, 2026. Municipalities must initially pay these adjustments but will later receive reimbursement from the state, provided they submit required certification by April 1 each year. The bill updates an existing 1988 law to add this new payment tier while clarifying state reimbursement rules for past adjustments.

Maddy summarySB 689 amends Pennsylvania's Milk Marketing Law to establish a new "board-established premium" fee on Class 1 fluid milk, directly affecting dairy producers and milk dealers through pricing changes. The bill allows the Pennsylvania Milk Board to set these premiums based on cost of production, price received, and return on equity, with a requirement for legislative review by the Agriculture Committees. If committees fail to disapprove within 30 days (or six session days), the premium is deemed approved. The law also modifies how premiums are collected (via the Department of Revenue), distributed, and exempt from standard administrative review processes, while updating cooperative marketing rules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 129) honors the late Pennsylvania State Representative Matthew R. Gergely and expresses condolences to his family following his death. It formally recognizes his life, career in McKeesport (including roles as City Administrator and Chief Revenue Officer), and service as a state representative for the 35th district. The resolution, adopted on June 23, 2025, directs the Senate to convey these condolences to his wife, children, and other surviving family members. It does not create any new policy or affect any laws.

Maddy summarySB 436 amends Pennsylvania's child protective services laws to specifically address cases involving military families. It adds definitions for "military family" (including service members, spouses, and children) and requires reports of suspected child abuse to note if they involve military families. The bill mandates that when a report concerns a military family, the state must notify both the Pennsylvania Family Advocacy Program and the military installation's representative. These changes update reporting procedures, database entries, and information-sharing rules to better coordinate with military child protection services.