Rep. Jared Solomon

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Maddy summaryHB 2152 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow school districts to use state grant funds for shifting secondary school start times to no earlier than 8:30 a.m., requiring the new time to be at least 15 minutes later than current start times. School entities must adopt a policy for the later start time and inform communities about the health and academic benefits of adequate sleep for students before implementation. The Department of Education must provide guidance and support to schools planning this change, including public awareness campaigns. This applies to all Pennsylvania school districts and charter schools serving grades 7-12.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits payment card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) from charging fees based on the full transaction amount that includes Pennsylvania's sales tax. It specifically bans interchange fees that calculate charges using the total amount (including tax) and prevents networks from raising fees to circumvent this rule. Merchants who accept credit/debit cards and payment networks are directly affected, as they can no longer impose these tax-inclusive fees. Violations of these provisions could result in penalties under the new law.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include sufficient details about HB 331's specific provisions, who it affects, or its key mechanisms. The bill title mentions amending judicial statutes regarding "surcharge" for facilities and supplies, but no concrete policy changes, affected parties, or operational details are described in the available information. Without the full text or explanatory summaries of the bill, a factual summary cannot be accurately generated. Procedural actions (like being "laid on the table") do not describe the bill's content.

Maddy summaryHB 2192 establishes the Commonwealth Housing Council to coordinate housing policies across Pennsylvania state agencies and local governments. The council will include 15 members: state agency secretaries, legislative appointees, mayors of major cities, county executives, and housing experts appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. It requires the council to meet quarterly and coordinate housing strategies to improve policy implementation. This bill creates a new coordination body without altering existing housing laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1375 requires Pennsylvania's Public School Employees' Retirement Board and State Employees' Retirement Board to livestream all public meetings and post unedited video and written records online for at least three years. The bill clarifies that certain sensitive investment details - like confidential financial information from alternative investments - can be withheld from public access under the Right-to-Know Law if disclosure would cause competitive harm or breach fiduciary duties. However, specific investment data must remain public, including the name, manager, and funding amounts for alternative investment vehicles. This bill directly affects how retirement boards manage transparency and public access to their investment decisions. It focuses on procedural transparency rather than changing benefit amounts or eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2185 requires Pennsylvania municipalities with populations over 5,000 (or high-density areas) to allow duplex, triplex, and quadplex housing as a permitted use by right where single-family homes are allowed, without requiring additional approvals. It prohibits municipalities from applying stricter zoning, subdivision, or design rules to these multi-unit housing types than to single-family homes. Developers must demonstrate that existing infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, and emergency services) can support new developments before permits are issued. The requirements apply differently based on municipality size: duplexes for 5,000+ residents, duplexes/triplexes for 10,000+, and all three housing types for 20,000+ residents.

Maddy summaryHB 2148 requires Pennsylvania school entities (including school districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) to adopt policies ensuring all students, parents, guardians, and school personnel can access school property regardless of immigration status. Specifically, schools must develop and publicly adopt inclusive policies within 90 days of the bill’s effective date, requiring school boards to approve these policies via public resolution with 45 days’ notice. Policies must be published in all languages spoken by students at home and reviewed quarterly to maintain accessibility. The bill explicitly prohibits immigration or law enforcement officials (including ICE, Customs, and local agencies acting under federal immigration authority) from restricting access to school zones without proper legal process. This directly affects all Pennsylvania public and private schools serving students, mandating concrete procedural changes to protect school access.

Maddy summaryHB 2079 establishes a program to reimburse eligible entities - such as school districts, counties, human services providers, Pre-K programs, and Head Start providers - for documented financing costs or lost interest income caused by delays in passing the state budget (defined as the period from July 1, 2025, until the 2025-2026 budget takes effect). The program is funded primarily by "impasse-generated interest" (interest earned from delayed state spending during the budget impasse), with the legislature providing additional funds if needed. The Office of the Budget will administer the program, including processing applications and reporting annually on reimbursements, funding sources, and recipient details.

Maddy summaryHB 2068 allows Pennsylvania county courts (second class A and third through eighth class, including home rule counties) to charge a $10 automation fee when legal cases are filed. The fee funds technology upgrades for court offices through a dedicated "prothonotary automation fund." Fees may increase every three years, but only by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), not exceeding inflation. This directly affects anyone filing new court cases in participating counties.