Rep. Brian Smith

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2743 amends the Public School Code to establish specific rules for when school terms can begin and how daily sessions are structured. The bill prohibits schools from starting the term before the day after Labor Day or on the same day as a local agricultural fair, though exceptions are available with state approval for emergencies like natural disasters or major construction projects. It also sets a default daily schedule of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM with designated breaks and requires that professional staff receive at least thirty minutes for lunch without supervisory duties. Existing contracts between school entities and employees that dictate school calendars remain in effect despite these new statutory requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2124 establishes a "transfer on death deed" process in Pennsylvania, allowing property owners to directly transfer real estate to named beneficiaries upon their death without probate. The bill enables owners to create a legally binding deed (requiring only county recording before death) that automatically transfers property to designated beneficiaries, with no need for beneficiary acceptance or payment during the owner's lifetime. Owners retain full control to revoke or modify the deed anytime before death, using the same legal capacity required for making a will. This applies to all Pennsylvania property owners seeking to simplify post-death property transfers for homes, land, or other real estate, avoiding court involvement in estate administration.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2727 authorizes local governments to offer a voluntary property tax freeze for seniors who are at least 65 years old, have lived in the state for five or more years, and meet specific income limits. Eligible homeowners can keep their real estate taxes fixed at the amount paid during a designated base year, provided they continue to meet financial criteria that are adjusted annually for inflation. The tax freeze applies only to a primary residence and transfers if the owner moves within the same local jurisdiction, but it ends when the property is sold or transferred. The state Department of Community and Economic Development will oversee the program by creating a standardized application form and publishing annual reports on its performance and cost savings.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania House Bill 2723 amends state vehicle laws to require commercial drivers to demonstrate English language proficiency, defined as the ability to converse with the public, understand traffic signs, and complete official records. The bill mandates that all CDL knowledge tests be administered exclusively in English, prohibiting the use of interpreters or translation devices during both knowledge and skills testing, except for specific accommodations for hearing-impaired drivers. It also restricts the issuance of nonresident commercial licenses to foreign citizens who can verify lawful immigration status through federal systems and meet the new language standards. Violations of these requirements result in fines and temporary disqualification from driving commercial vehicles, with stricter penalties applied for repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific highway interchange in Schuylkill County as a memorial to Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr., who died in the line of duty in 2026. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation to install signs identifying the interchange by his name. This action honors Trooper Pahira's service and memory without altering any traffic laws or infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution commends U.S. Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, along with various state businesses and organizations, for ensuring the Commonwealth's presence at the American State Fair after the Governor's office did not participate. The bill specifically thanks numerous local companies, agricultural groups, and community partners who contributed resources to create a showcase of Pennsylvania's industries and culture. It also urges the Office of the Governor to take part in similar national celebrations in the future.

Maddy summaryHB 2710, known as the Tick-Borne Disease Reporting Act, requires healthcare providers and facilities in Pennsylvania to report cases of babesiosis, a tick-transmitted infection, through the state's electronic disease surveillance system. The bill also mandates that clinical laboratories report positive test results for the disease via an electronic laboratory reporting system. To support these reporting requirements, the legislation imposes duties on the Department of Health and relevant licensing boards to ensure compliance and requires health care practitioners to complete continuing education on diagnosing and treating tick-borne diseases. This law aims to improve the tracking and management of tick-borne illnesses by making babesiosis a reportable condition in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania vehicle laws to formally define "pedalcycles with electric assist" and sets specific rules for how local authorities can regulate them. It establishes that these vehicles must weigh no more than 100 pounds, have operable pedals, and be limited to speeds of 20 or 28 miles per hour, while explicitly excluding devices designed for people with disabilities. The legislation also creates a new category of fines for violations, increasing penalties for operating these e-bikes compared to standard bicycles, and grants local governments the power to restrict where these vehicles can be ridden on roads or sidewalks. However, the bill explicitly prohibits state or local officials from requiring owners to register, insure, or license these specific electric bicycles.

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.