Representative Zepeda Fratiz delivered prepared remarks for the record describing the March 24, 2023 explosion at the R&M Palmer chocolate factory in West Reading and introduced a three-bill package aimed at preventing similar tragedies. She said the blast struck minutes after she was sworn in and described "chaos, confusion, and fear," noting the National Transportation Safety Board later identified a likely degraded natural gas connection.

Representative Zepeda Fratiz told the committee the package—House Bills 15-22, 15-25 and 15-26—follows NTSB findings. She said HB 15-22 would require fuel-gas detectors in certain buildings, noting units "typically $30 to $65 per unit" and argued that such detectors "can prevent catastrophic loss of life." She described HB 15-25 as updating Pennsylvania's one-call underground utility system so older steam and undocumented utility pipes are properly mapped, and characterized HB 15-26 as requiring PUC and gas companies to create degraded-pipeline prevention plans.

Representative Boroski offered an amendment to HB 15-25 to add hazardous materials to the definition of line or facility; the amendment passed unanimously. On HB 15-26, Chairman Metzger and Representative Brooks raised concerns that recent PUC orders and existing long-term infrastructure plans and distribution integrity management plans may make the bill duplicative; Metzger said more work with the prime sponsor was needed. A motion to table HB 15-26 failed after a roll call (clerk announced "Ayes 15, Nays 11" and the chair stated the motion did not achieve the majority). The committee then conducted a roll call on the bill itself; the chair announced the bill "passes achieving the majority of the vote." The transcript records the sponsor's testimony, the amendment and the roll calls but does not include bill text, fiscal impacts or implementation timelines.