Rep. Joe Emrick

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to ban government agencies from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data centers. The law prohibits any contract that restricts the public from accessing information about the construction, development, or location of these facilities. If an agency signs such an agreement, the contract is considered void and unenforceable. The bill defines a data center as a facility used to process, store, or transmit data using computers and software.

Maddy summaryHB 158, the "Fairness in Women's Sports Act," requires public schools and colleges in Pennsylvania to explicitly designate athletic teams as male, female, or coed based on biological sex. It prohibits teams designated for females from allowing male students to participate and allows students who face denied opportunities or harm due to violations to sue for damages. Schools can also sue entities that punish them for following the law. The bill applies directly to all public school districts, colleges, and athletic programs covered under Pennsylvania's Public School Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to allow local governments to temporarily halt the submission of new data center development applications. Under the new provision, a municipality can adopt a resolution at a public meeting to pause these submissions for up to 180 days, a period that begins retroactively from the date of public notice. During this pause, local authorities may update their zoning laws regarding data centers, and any applications received while the pause is in effect will be evaluated under the new rules. The legislation defines a data center as a facility primarily used for housing servers or data storage systems with specific backup power and cooling infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania legislative resolution designates April 2026 as Esophageal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month to highlight the disease's severity and promote public health awareness. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania residents by encouraging them to seek treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to reduce their risk of developing esophageal cancer. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal declaration to raise awareness about early detection and prevention strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits airports and aviation businesses in Pennsylvania from using Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) data to charge fees to aircraft owners or operators. ADS-B is a technology that automatically shares an aircraft's location, speed, and other flight details with ground stations and other planes. The law makes it illegal for these entities to collect money based on this surveillance information and gives the state Attorney General the power to enforce the rule. The ban applies to any fees calculated or generated from this data within the state's borders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hyperscale data centers in Pennsylvania to build their own baseload power generation and pay for all costs to connect that power to the grid, regardless of distance. It mandates that electric distribution companies cooperate with these data centers by planning for their energy needs and prohibiting cross-subsidization of their rates with other customers. Additionally, the bill sets specific rules for long-term power contracts used by default service providers and gives the state commission authority to define what qualifies as a hyperscale data center.

Maddy summaryThe provided context does not include the specific policy language or provisions of HB 17. While the bill's title references amendments to the Public School Code of 1949 regarding "subjects of instruction and flag code," the details of what changes are proposed - such as which subjects would be added or modified, or specific flag-related requirements - are not described in the given information. Without these concrete details, a factual summary of the bill's mechanisms, affected parties, or policy changes cannot be created. The procedural history (e.g., committee referrals) does not substitute for the bill's substantive content. For an accurate summary, the full text of the bill or detailed explanatory materials would be required.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution designates August 16, 2025, as "Pottsville Maroons Championship Day" in Pennsylvania to commemorate the 1925 NFL championship victory of the Pottsville Maroons football team. It honors their 1925 season, including their pivotal win over the Chicago Cardinals and their exhibition victory against the Notre Dame All-Stars. The resolution recognizes the team's role in advancing professional football's credibility and Pennsylvania's sports heritage, with copies to be sent to the Pottsville Area Historical Society and Pro Football Hall of Fame. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any individuals or entities.

Maddy summaryHB 2066 repeals Pennsylvania's inheritance tax system by removing Article XXI ("Inheritance and Estate Tax Act") from the 1971 Tax Reform Code. This eliminates the state-level inheritance tax that would have applied to property transferred upon death. The bill directly affects individuals who would have owed this tax on estates or gifts, removing a layer of state taxation on inherited assets. The repeal is comprehensive, striking the entire framework of definitions, exemptions, and procedures related to inheritance tax from the tax code.

Maddy summaryHB 1819 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle inspection requirements under Title 75 of the Consolidated Statutes. It updates the rules for when vehicles must undergo periodic safety and emissions inspections. The bill directly affects all vehicle owners in Pennsylvania who are required to have their vehicles inspected regularly. Key provisions specify the revised schedule and procedures for these mandatory inspections, aiming to modernize the existing system. The bill is currently in the Transportation committee for review.