Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1138: An Act amending Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, adopting Uniform Acts: in short title and definitions, further providing for definitions; in wills, further providing for validity of execution and for revocation of a will; providing for electronic wills; in dispositions independent of letters, family exemption, probate of wills and grant of letters, further providing for self-proved wills; providing for uniform electronic estate planning documents; and making conforming changes.

This bill modernizes Pennsylvania's estate laws to allow electronic wills. It defines "will" to include digital documents and creates new rules for creating, signing, and revoking wills online. Key provisions require witnesses to observe the testator via video call (virtual "presence") and follow specific digital execution steps, while still permitting traditional paper wills. The law directly affects Pennsylvanians creating estate plans, making it easier to use digital tools without losing legal validity.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1131: An Act providing for geothermal energy development; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; promulgating regulations; establishing the Geothermal Energy Development Fund; and imposing penalties.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for geothermal energy development in Pennsylvania. It creates the Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support projects, requires the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate regulations for geothermal operations, and defines key terms like "geothermal resource" and "geothermal well." The law directly affects developers seeking to extract geothermal energy (heat from the earth), landowners with geothermal resources, and the Department of Environmental Protection, which gains new duties to oversee projects. Key provisions include requiring permits for geothermal projects, setting liability rules for well operators, and imposing civil penalties for violations of the regulations.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1134: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in selection, retention and removal of judicial officers, further providing for vacancies in office.

SB 1134 amends Pennsylvania law to require a 60-day public process before filling judicial vacancies (for Supreme Court, appellate, common pleas, or magisterial district judges). It mandates that after a vacancy occurs, the Governor must: (1) solicit applications for 30 days, (2) publish applicant materials (with personal details redacted) online for 30 days to allow public comment, and (3) submit a nominee to the Senate for confirmation. Senate confirmation requires two-thirds approval for higher courts and a simple majority for magisterial district judges. The bill does not change the appointment term length or the Governor’s final selection authority.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1137: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for Pennsylvania State Police.

SB 1137 allows individuals denied a firearm transaction due to their criminal, juvenile, or mental health records to challenge the accuracy of those records. The bill requires the Pennsylvania State Police to accept written challenges within 30 days of denial and permits the person to request subpoenas for documents supporting the denial. This process provides a formal mechanism for correcting potential errors in the records used during background checks. The bill directly affects anyone denied a firearm based on these records in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1132: An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 46384, carrying Galloway Road over Interstate 276 in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, as the Sgt. John J. Bonk, Jr., Memorial Bridge.

This bill designates Bridge Key 46384 (carrying Galloway Road over I-276 in Bensalem Township, Bucks County) as the "Sgt. John J. Bonk, Jr., Memorial Bridge." It honors Sergeant John J. Bonk, Jr., a Bensalem High School graduate who died in the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing, with the bridge named to recognize his service and sacrifice. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will install and maintain signs displaying the new name on the bridge. This is a ceremonial designation with no new policy or funding requirements.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1135: An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the use of hemp in commercial animal feed.

SB 1135 allows Pennsylvania feed manufacturers to use industrial hemp (with less than 0.3% THC) in commercial animal feed for pets, horses, and nonproduction animals. It requires the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to establish rules for labeling, testing, and recordkeeping of hemp in feed, while coordinating with federal hemp regulations if applicable. The bill directly affects feed producers and the state's agricultural regulatory system by creating new oversight requirements. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1113: An Act amending Titles 35 (Health and Safety) and 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for artificial intelligence in facilities, for artificial intelligence use by insurers and for artificial intelligence use by MA or CHIP managed care plans; imposing duties on the Department of Health, the Insurance Department and the Department of Human Services; and imposing penalties.

SB 1113 requires health care facilities, insurers, and Medicaid Advantage/CHIP managed care plans in Pennsylvania to disclose when artificial intelligence (AI) is used for clinical decision making or patient communications. Facilities must provide clear disclosures in writing, on their public website, and include disclaimers for AI-generated communications with instructions to contact a human provider. The bill exempts routine administrative tasks (like scheduling or billing) and communications reviewed by a human from these disclosure rules. It imposes duties on the Departments of Health, Insurance, and Human Services to enforce compliance and sets penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1087: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in liquid fuels and fuels tax, further providing for electric vehicle road user charge.

SB 1087 creates a mileage-based road user charge for electric vehicles (EVs) in Pennsylvania, replacing the current gas tax for EVs. It specifically exempts military personnel on active duty stationed outside Pennsylvania from this charge during their overseas assignment. The bill also establishes a refund process for EV owners who qualify for the military exemption, allowing them to apply for reimbursement of charges paid during their eligible overseas duty period. This policy directly affects EV owners who are military members stationed out of state, adjusting their tax obligations based on residency during service.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1076: An Act requiring a percentage of workers on a public works project to be hired from the local labor market; imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

SB 1076, the Local Hire Act, requires at least 50% of workers on public works projects costing over $500,000 to be hired from the local labor market (defined as Pennsylvania counties and adjacent bordering counties). Employers unable to meet this requirement must post job openings on PA CareerLink® for three business days; if no qualified local applicants are found, they may obtain a waiver but must contribute to a training fund based on the collective bargaining agreement for each waived position. The Department of Labor and Industry oversees the waiver process and enforces penalties for non-compliance. This law applies to contractors working on state or local government construction, repair, or alteration projects (excluding maintenance work).

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 9, 2026

HR 388: A Resolution designating February 2, 2026, as "Rheumatoid Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates February 2, 2026, as "Rheumatoid Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to increase public understanding of rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting joints and organs that impacts over 1.3 million Americans and carries significant health risks like higher heart attack rates. The resolution is symbolic - meaning it does not create new laws or funding, but rather formally recognizes the day to highlight the disease's challenges and connect to broader health awareness efforts. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by encouraging community recognition of rheumatoid arthritis through official state acknowledgment.

Rob Matzie (D) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 9, 2026

HB 2128: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for licenses and for Pennsylvania State Police.

HB 2128 amends Pennsylvania's firearm licensing laws by updating the criteria for denying concealed carry permits and requiring detailed annual reporting from the Pennsylvania State Police. It specifies that sheriffs may deny licenses based on violations of federal weapon carriage rules (49 CFR 1540.111) as "good cause," directly affecting applicants seeking concealed carry permits. The bill also mandates the State Police to annually report to the General Assembly on firearm sales types, denied application statistics, background check processing times, license issuances/reversals, and other key metrics. These changes focus on clarifying denial standards and increasing transparency around firearm licensing data. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 9, 2026

HB 2122: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of indecent exposure.

HB 2122 amends Pennsylvania's indecent exposure statute (Title 18, Section 3127) to change how offenses are graded based on whether minors (under 16) were present and the offender's prior record. If minors were present, a first offense becomes a misdemeanor of the first degree (previously second degree), and a second or subsequent offense becomes a felony of the third degree (previously a misdemeanor). For cases without minors present, a second offense becomes a misdemeanor of the first degree (previously second degree), and third or subsequent offenses become felonies. The bill directly affects individuals committing indecent exposure in Pennsylvania, altering penalties based on victim age and repeat offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results