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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Blooming Grove in the House, Literally!
It was such a delight to host Blooming Grove Township Supervisors Tim Morey and Lance Spodek, along with my district legislative aide, Doug Miller, at the Capitol this week. During their visit, they were recognized on the House floor, received a behind-the-scenes tour of the Capitol, and had the chance to connect with Capitol staff throughout the day.
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Natural Gas Impact Fees Help Local Communities
In addition to supporting the state’s growing energy needs and providing good-paying careers, Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry contributed more than $243.8 million in impact fees in 2025.
Under Act 13 of 2012, impact fees are collected from natural gas drilling companies with 60% returned to counties and municipalities affected by drilling. The rest of the money goes into a Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, a portion of which is provided to counties. The remaining funds are used by the state for emergency response planning, training and other activities; water, storm water, and sewer system construction and repair; infrastructure maintenance and repair; as well as statewide environmental initiatives.
Click here to view detailed reports of the funding distribution.
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Protecting Against Image-Based Sexual Abuse
The state House unanimously approved legislation last week to expand penalties for the nonconsensual sharing of real or AI-generated intimate images.
Specifically, House Bill 2252 would ensure accountability for offenders regardless of their relationship to the victim, broaden the definition of intent to cover knowing or reckless distribution, and establish a tiered penalty structure that reflects both the severity of harm and the offender’s intent. The existing law only applies when the perpetrator is a current or former intimate partner of the victim and acts with the intent to harass or annoy.
The measure was also amended to establish enhanced penalties for those who create child sexual abuse materials that depict a child, stepchild or other relative.
House Bill 2252 now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
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Majority Democrats Playing Hot Potato with Women’s Sports Bills
The saga continues for our efforts to pass bills to protect fairness in women’s sports.
In late April, the House Judiciary Committee re-referred two of the three bills (House Bills 158 and 1849) to the House Health Committee. Earlier this week, the Health Committee sent both House bills, along with Senate Bill 9, back to the Judiciary Committee.
Together, the three bills have been available for consideration in the House for 1,016 days. That’s two years, nine months and 10 days of majority House Democrats refusing to give citizens and their representatives a voice on this topic.
Polls indicate 80% of people, regardless of political party, support women’s sports being for biological women only. Athletic competitions give women the opportunity to demonstrate their strength and skill, while also providing opportunities for recognition ranging from accolades to college scholarships. We owe it to our female athletes to ensure these rights and opportunities are protected.
Join us in support of this effort by signing the “I Believe” promise at defendingdaughters.com.
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Fun for All Ages Awaits at PA Fairs
Summer is in full swing, and so is Pennsylvania fair season! Communities across the Commonwealth are hosting dozens of fairs featuring food, fun and entertainment, as well as competitive exhibits highlighting animals, produce, crops, crafts, baking and more.
To plan your fair visit, check out the 2026 PA Fair Guide here.
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Entries Accepted for PA Agriculture Photo Contest
Pennsylvania agriculture is at the heart of our communities, and now is your chance to showcase it!
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting entries for its 2026 Agriculture Photo Contest celebrating the people, places and traditions that make Pennsylvania agriculture important. Participants may submit up to four photos in the categories of On the Farm, PA Fair Season, Agritourism and Conservation.
Finalists will be featured on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Facebook page for public voting, and winning photos will be displayed in the Capitol in September. Submission deadline is June 30. Click here for more information.
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An Ice Cream Lover’s Dream Getaway!
Looking for a way to sweeten your summer? Check out this year’s Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail to help find the best cool treats of the season.
This year’s trail features 59 participating PA Preferred creameries. From working dairy farms where visitors can meet the cows to artisan micro creameries crafting bold, rotating flavors, the 2026 lineup offers something for every kind of ice cream adventurer across all corners of the Commonwealth.
Participants can accumulate points by visiting trail stops and making purchases. Plan your adventures, learn about participating creameries and sign up for the free digital passport at visitpa.com/scooped.
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PGC Seeks Entries for Art Contests
Are you an artist with a love of the outdoors? The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is seeking entries for two art contests: the Waterfowl Management Stamp Contest and the Working Together for Wildlife Art Contest.
Entries for the stamp contest must feature one of five eligible species: Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Redhead or Canada Goose. The winning artwork will be printed as the 2027 Pennsylvania Waterfowl Management Stamp and fine art print.
For the Working Together contest, the featured category is shorebirds. Qualifying submissions must include at least one of various types of shorebirds in an original, full-color horizontal or vertical painting. The artist whose painting is selected for the 2027 Working Together for Wildlife fine art print series will receive $5,000, plus 25 artist proof prints.
Participants must be Pennsylvania residents. For additional details and official rules for each contest, click here.
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Upcoming Event in the District
My staff will be on hand to help with any state-related questions. Hope to see you there!
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