Rep. Joe Webster

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2740 amends state public utility laws to mandate that the Public Utility Commission use a fixed hypothetical capital structure of 50 percent equity and 50 percent debt when calculating rates for electric and gas distribution companies. The bill strictly prohibits regulators from considering a utility's actual financial leverage or the capital structures of its parent companies during rate-setting proceedings. While utilities must still use their actual cost of long-term debt if it was incurred prudently, they are not required to maintain the hypothetical 50-50 balance in their real-world finances. These new rules will apply to all base rate cases filed after the act takes effect, which is set for 60 days after its enactment.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2733, known as the Banked Use for Maternity Protection Act, requires employers to provide eligible employees with a dedicated account containing 24 hours of paid leave specifically for prenatal medical appointments and related travel. To qualify, an employee must have worked for the same employer in the Commonwealth for at least 30 days, after which the employer must establish this separate account within two days of notification. The bill mandates that this leave be compensated at the employee's regular rate and count toward seniority and benefits, while prohibiting employers from forcing staff to use other types of leave or retaliating against them for utilizing these protections. Employers with 15 or fewer employees may apply for a six-month hardship exemption, and violations of the act are subject to fines of up to $50,000 per instance.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 594 directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on Pennsylvania's parole system and submit a report with reform recommendations within 18 months. The study is required to examine several specific areas, including the consistency of parole board decisions across different demographic groups and the current rules for recommitting individuals who commit technical violations rather than new crimes. Additionally, the commission must evaluate the feasibility of creating "geriatric parole" options for inmates over age 55 and streamlined administrative parole for low-risk offenders convicted of minor offenses. The resolution also calls for an assessment of how well current reentry planning programs work to help released individuals reintegrate into society and a review of policies used by other states to balance public safety with successful reintegration.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2728 amends state corporate law to prohibit business corporations, nonprofit corporations, and limited liability companies from directly or indirectly engaging in election activity or ballot question activity. The bill revokes existing general powers granted to these entities and re-grants them with specific exclusions for political spending, defining such activities as paying or contributing money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. Any language in a corporate charter that purports to authorize this political activity is declared void, and any such activity conducted by an entity is considered ultra vires and legally invalid. Entities that violate these provisions face the automatic forfeiture of their charter privileges, including limited liability and perpetual duration, until they fully disgorge funds and certify future compliance. The Attorney General is authorized to pursue civil actions for injunctive relief and enforcement against non-compliant entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual funding cap for Pennsylvania's Entertainment Economic Enhancement Program from $24 million to $26 million. The change directly affects the state's entertainment industry by allowing a larger pool of tax credits to be distributed each fiscal year. These credits are designed to help businesses in the entertainment sector by reducing their tax liability. The new limit will apply to fiscal years starting on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1102 amends Pennsylvania’s military law to clarify and expand eligibility for the Medical Officer or Health Officer Incentive Program. It updates definitions to explicitly include "behavioral health officers" (requiring specific licenses, insurance, and federal compliance) and clarifies qualifications for physicians, physician assistants, and public health/environmental science officers. The bill affects Pennsylvania National Guard members in military medical roles who qualify for program stipends and incentives. Key changes ensure precise eligibility criteria for financial support, including updated requirements for residency, licensure, and program participation.

Maddy summaryHB 1851 updates Pennsylvania's requirements for death and fetal death certificates under the 1953 Vital Statistics Law. It changes the specific information that must be recorded on these official documents, affecting hospitals, medical examiners, and vital records offices. The bill focuses on standardizing or adding details required for certification purposes. This procedural change aims to modernize record-keeping for public health data collection.

Maddy summaryHB 482 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, enabling licensed occupational therapists and assistants from Pennsylvania to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill establishes mechanisms for mutual recognition of licenses, sharing of disciplinary and investigative data between states, and accountability for practitioners providing services across state lines. It directly affects occupational therapists, assistants, and patients seeking services in multiple states, particularly supporting military spouses relocating and expanding telehealth access. Key provisions include requiring states to participate in a shared data system, defining terms like "Compact Privilege," and preserving each state’s regulatory authority over local practice standards. This is a procedural bill enabling Pennsylvania’s participation in an existing interstate framework, not creating new licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 2024) requires Pennsylvania's Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs to create a mandatory training program for county veterans affairs directors. The program must cover specific topics like trauma-informed care, military sexual trauma, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury, developed in collaboration with the State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs. It directly affects county-level veterans' service staff who assist veterans across Pennsylvania. The training program becomes effective 180 days after the bill's passage.