SB 1261 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies; and, in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for definitions, for publication and notice, for award of grants, for consolidation incentive, for publication and notice and for award of grants, repealing provisions relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program, to expiration of authority relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to expiration of authority relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program and further providing for annual reports.

SB 1261 updates Pennsylvania laws to provide financial assistance to fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies through a state loan program. The bill allows these organizations to apply for loans to purchase or modernize vehicles, facilities, and protective equipment, while also permitting refinancing of existing debt. Key provisions include setting specific loan limits, requiring applicants to contribute at least 20% of project costs, and mandating that protective gear be free of harmful chemicals. Additionally, the legislation repeals previous COVID-19 specific grant programs and establishes a requirement for annual reporting on the use of these funds.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

House Passage

Jun 2026

Governor

Introduced Apr 1, 2026 Last action Jun 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1564 → Printer's No. PN1625 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands financial assistance for fire and emergency medical services companies by replacing a temporary COVID-19 relief program with a permanent loan and grant system. The new law authorizes the State Fire Commissioner to provide loans for purchasing equipment, modernizing facilities, and repairing apparatus, with specific dollar limits that are higher than the previous temporary grants. Additionally, the bill introduces an inflation adjustment mechanism to automatically increase loan limits over time and creates an interest rate reduction incentive for fire companies that consolidate their operations.

Scope change

The bill shifts the scope from a temporary, pandemic-specific grant program to a permanent, ongoing loan and grant program applicable to both fire companies and EMS companies for a wider range of needs including facility modernization and equipment repair.

SCOPE

Replaced the temporary COVID-19 Crisis Grant Program with a permanent 'Commonwealth Services' program providing ongoing loans and grants.

FISCAL

Introduced a new loan program with specific caps, such as up to $750,000 for facility modernization and up to $375,000 for standard firefighting apparatus.

Added an inflation adjustment clause that automatically increases loan limits every two years based on the Consumer Price Index starting in 2028.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a 'consolidation incentive' that reduces interest rates for fire companies that merge their facilities and services.

REQUIREMENT

Updated eligibility criteria to require fire companies to maintain contact information and register with public safety answering points.

TIMELINE

Removed the June 30, 2022 expiration date for the Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 10, 2026 · House Jun 30, 2026

How they voted

50–0

Passed

Total votes 50

Jun 10, 2026

D Democratic23

23 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican27

27 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 30, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (26-0)

house

Jun 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported as committed

lower

Jun 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

lower

Jun 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

upper

Jun 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Re-reported as committed

upper

Jun 1, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Appropriations

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported as amended

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Committee

Referred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors