Maddy summarySB 307 establishes Pennsylvania's Purple Alert System to notify the public about missing persons with intellectual disabilities who are at risk of harm. The Pennsylvania State Police will operate the system, activating it when law enforcement determines a missing person has an intellectual disability (defined as significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with limitations in daily living skills like communication or self-care), is at risk due to health conditions, and sufficient location details are available. The bill also extends existing immunity protections to people assisting those identified in Purple Alert notifications, similar to the Amber Alert System. This policy directly affects individuals with intellectual disabilities who go missing and law enforcement agencies that can trigger the alerts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 181 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to clarify how leftover campaign funds must be handled when a candidate or political committee ends its financial activity. It requires that residual funds be either used for election-related expenses, returned proportionally to contributors, or donated to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (with restrictions preventing donations to nonprofits connected to the candidate or their family). Candidates must submit a final report by January 31 each year. This directly affects candidates and political committees managing campaign finances. The bill provides specific rules for fund disposition without changing broader election procedures.
Maddy summarySB 831 modifies Pennsylvania's tax exemption for disabled veterans by expanding a property value reduction program. It provides tiered tax relief: veterans with a 10%+ service-connected disability (verified by the VA) receive $7,500 to $15,000 off their home's taxable value, depending on disability severity (10-29% to 70%+). This applies to veterans who own their primary residence solely, with a spouse, or as tenants by the entirety but do not qualify for the full exemption under existing law. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania veterans with military service-related disabilities who pay real estate taxes on their primary home.
Maddy summarySB 308 establishes a financial incentive program for Pennsylvania National Guard members serving in medical or health specialty roles. It provides monthly stipends ranging from $500 to $1,000 based on the officer's required education level (e.g., $1,000 for physicians/residents, $500 for public health officers), paid for up to 48 months or the first 36 months of service. The program covers specific roles including physicians, physician assistants, behavioral health officers, public health officers, nurses, and chaplains who meet credentialing requirements. Eligibility requires being a "member in good standing" and meeting federal and state licensing standards for their specialty. The bill also includes provisions for adjusting stipend amounts, recouping payments if requirements aren't met, and administrative funding.
Maddy summarySB 457 creates a loan program to provide financial assistance to Pennsylvania fire companies and EMS organizations for equipment, facility improvements, and related costs. The bill authorizes loans up to $750,000 for facility modernization or new construction, $750,000 for aerial firefighting apparatus, $200,000 for ambulances, and $75,000 for protective gear, with applicants required to contribute 20% of costs. Loans include a 2% interest rate, repayment terms up to 30 years, and require compliance with NFPA standards, including prohibitions on PFAS in protective equipment. The loan limits will automatically adjust annually based on inflation starting January 2027. This bill directly affects volunteer and community-based fire and EMS organizations seeking funding for operational needs.
Maddy summarySB 821 creates a $500 tax credit for Pennsylvania National Guard members who meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify, a taxpayer must be a Pennsylvania resident with at least two full years of active service by December 31 of the taxable year, and remain an active member when filing their tax return. The credit reduces taxes owed under Pennsylvania's income tax code (Article III) for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and cannot be carried over, refunded, or sold. It requires self-certification via annual tax returns, with the Department of Revenue reporting on usage annually starting in 2027. This policy directly benefits qualifying National Guard members by lowering their state tax liability.
Maddy summarySB 818 amends Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) Act to add new requirements for businesses seeking tax benefits. It mandates that businesses making capital investments over $25,000 for facility construction, repair, or renovation must ensure 70% of workers are "skilled craft laborers" (as defined by apprenticeship completion or equivalent experience) and that all workers receive the state-mandated prevailing wage. Violations of these wage requirements - such as intentional nonpayment - require businesses to refund all tax benefits received for that year. This affects KOZ businesses pursuing tax exemptions, deductions, abatements, or credits, directly linking labor standards to tax incentives. The bill integrates Pennsylvania's prevailing wage laws into KOZ tax compliance, effective 60 days after enactment.
Maddy summarySB 824 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle code to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It requires vehicles parked near on-street pedestrian plazas or bike lanes to position wheels within 12 inches of the buffer zone between the lane and parking, with exceptions for school buses. The bill also mandates that cyclists use designated bike paths when marked by traffic signs, unless unsafe. Violations carry fines of $15 for general parking, $50-$200 for disability spot misuse, and $100-$300 for ignoring bike path requirements. Local governments can establish additional parking rules for these areas.
Maddy summarySB 817 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to require businesses seeking tax incentives (like exemptions or credits) for construction projects to meet prevailing wage and apprenticeship standards. Specifically, businesses making capital investments over $25,000 for construction, reconstruction, or repair on property where they seek tax benefits must ensure 70% of workers are skilled craft laborers and all workers receive the state-set prevailing wage. Violations require the business to refund 100% of the tax benefit received for that year. This applies to construction work (excluding routine maintenance) and is enforced by the Department of Labor and Industry under existing prevailing wage laws.
Maddy summarySB 791 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to provide new methods for school districts that span multiple counties or municipalities to calculate and standardize property tax revenues. It directly affects these multi-jurisdictional school districts by offering four options to set uniform tax rates across counties, including using market value calculations or adhering to statewide assessment ratios. The key mechanisms include requiring tax ratios to be uniform across counties, allowing districts to select the lowest assessment ratio for consistency, or adopting uniform millage rates under specific conditions. This aims to simplify tax collection and ensure fair revenue distribution for districts operating across county lines.