Sen. John Kane

Maddy summarySB 443 requires Pennsylvania employers to grant eligible employees up to two hours of paid time off on election days to vote. It applies to all employers in the state and directly affects registered voters who need to cast ballots during work hours. The bill mandates that employers must permit this leave without penalty, though they may specify the exact hours during which the time off can be taken. The policy aims to reduce barriers to voting by ensuring workers can access polling places without losing work time. The bill is currently pending in the State Government committee.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 41) formally recognizes March 2025 as "Irish-American Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania, aligning with the federal designation made by the U.S. President. It acknowledges the historical contributions of Irish Americans to Pennsylvania and the United States, including their roles in founding the nation, cultural impact, and service in government and the military. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy changes or direct effects on legislation or funding - it serves solely to honor Irish-American heritage. The resolution also expresses support for the Good Friday Agreement and peace in Ireland.

Maddy summarySB 442 allows eligible Pennsylvania voters to register on election day at their polling place by providing proof of residence (such as a driver's license, approved document, or a sworn statement from another registered voter). It requires election judges to process registrations separately from voting, maintain records of attempted registrations, and forward completed forms to county election offices. County boards must verify 25% of new election-day registrations by mail within 10 days and report ineligible registrations to prosecutors. The bill prohibits fraudulent registrations (e.g., registering someone ineligible or in multiple districts) as a misdemeanor offense. This law applies to all future primary, municipal, and general elections after its effective date.

Maddy summarySB 407 amends Pennsylvania's disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption law to clarify eligibility rules. It establishes an automatic exemption for disabled veterans with annual household income of $75,000 or less (adjusted every two years using the Consumer Price Index), while requiring additional proof of need for applicants earning above this threshold. The bill defines "annual income" broadly to include pensions, disability payments, and other sources, while excluding certain benefits like Medicare or food assistance. The state commission must publish updated income thresholds biennially in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This directly affects disabled veterans seeking property tax relief by standardizing income-based eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2025 as "Community College Month" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic gesture recognizing community colleges' role in providing affordable higher education, workforce training, and access to students from diverse backgrounds. The resolution does not create new policies, funding, or direct impacts on individuals or institutions. It serves only to highlight community colleges' contributions through a designated month of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 36), not a law with policy changes. It formally recognizes March 2025 as "National Social Work Month" in Pennsylvania. The resolution honors social workers for their roles in crisis response, mental health care, supporting students during the pandemic, and advocating for policies like minimum wage and social safety nets. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect specific groups - it simply urges Pennsylvanians to join in celebrating the profession.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) that formally recognizes March 8, 2025, as "International Women's Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new policies, allocate funds, or directly affect any individuals or groups. The resolution expresses the Senate's support for the global observance of International Women's Day, highlighting women's achievements and the ongoing pursuit of gender equality. It serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment with no concrete policy changes or legal impact.

Maddy summarySB 388 proposes amending Pennsylvania's Constitution to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, familial status, or disability. This would expand existing constitutional protections under Article I, Section 28 to cover these additional categories, ensuring equality of rights under the law for all Pennsylvanians. The bill requires the General Assembly to pass it twice before submitting the amendment to voters at the next qualifying election. As of March 6, 2025, the bill has only been referred to the State Government committee and remains in early legislative stages.

Maddy summarySB 379 creates a fund to reimburse eligible Pennsylvania companies for tolls paid on the Pennsylvania Turnpike when transporting goods to the Port of Philadelphia for shipping. It directly affects qualifying businesses that manufacture products in Pennsylvania, have a physical headquarters there, and use the turnpike for this specific shipping purpose. Companies must apply quarterly with detailed proof of toll payments, shipping documentation, and company information; approved reimbursements must be processed within 60 days. The fund is capped at $2.5 million, with penalties of $5,000 for false applications, and annual reports required starting in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 389 amends Pennsylvania's Credit Services Act to prohibit credit services organizations from discriminating against applicants based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Specifically, it bans denying credit, increasing fees, restricting credit amounts, or imposing different terms based on these characteristics. The bill allows organizations to still consider credit history and apply community property laws as permitted under existing rules. This change directly affects credit service providers and their customers in Pennsylvania, ensuring equal access to credit services.