HB 80 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. This compact allows licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses for each state. The bill directly affects these healthcare professionals and their patients, streamlining cross-state practice for providers. It creates a standardized process for reciprocity among member states, eliminating redundant licensing requirements.
This bill would waive initial identification card fees for first-time voters in Pennsylvania who are 18 or older and do not already have a valid driver's license. The exemption applies to both the card cost and the required photograph fee, provided the individual submits a written statement confirming their eligibility. The Department of Transportation may request additional information to verify identity and voting eligibility before granting the waiver. The changes would become effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.
This bill requires online platforms in Pennsylvania to inform users when their content may be used to train artificial intelligence systems. It applies to websites and apps that collect user-created content like posts, videos, or images for AI training purposes. The law mandates that platforms must provide a clear, separate disclosure at sign-up and require users to acknowledge receiving this notice before they can post content. The bill defines key terms like "artificial intelligence" and "platform" to ensure consistent application of the disclosure requirement.
This bill would amend Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to explicitly exempt health care sharing ministries from state insurance regulations and oversight by the Insurance Commissioner. It defines these ministries as faith-based nonprofit organizations where members share medical expenses based on common ethical or religious beliefs, with voluntary contributions and no promise of payment. To qualify, these organizations must provide monthly expense statements, undergo annual independent audits, and include clear disclaimers on membership materials stating they are not insurance and members remain personally responsible for medical bills. The changes apply to any organization meeting the specified criteria and would take effect 60 days after enactment.
This Senate Resolution designates the week of March 15 through 21, 2026, as "Sunshine Week" in Pennsylvania to promote awareness of open government principles. The resolution highlights the state's Sunshine Act and Right-to-Know Law, which ensure public access to government meetings and records. It encourages residents to learn about and support these laws that allow citizens to review government actions and request public documents. The measure is symbolic and does not create new legal requirements or change existing statutes.
This bill establishes a fee system for Pennsylvania municipalities that receive patrol services from the State Police, requiring towns without their own full-time police forces to pay for those services. The legislation creates new definitions for different types of patrol services and sets fee amounts based on the difference between 2021-2022 and current Motor License Fund appropriations to the State Police. Small municipalities with limited local police hours and those that have existing patrol agreements with the State Police are exempt from paying fees. The bill also requires the State Police to submit annual reports on these services and includes provisions for penalties and intermunicipal police response coordination.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's fish and fishing laws to give the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authority to create rules against specific fishing methods like snatching, foul hooking, and snagging. It directly affects anglers and fishing guides who use these techniques by establishing that violations of any new regulations would be classified as first-degree summary offenses. The legislation does not ban these methods outright but instead empowers state officials to regulate them through future rulemaking. The bill takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.
This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to update definitions for the Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program. It clarifies what counts as an "approved course of study" and "in-demand occupation" for scholarship recipients. The updated definitions include specific fields such as agriculture, computer science, nursing, and trades, while also requiring that occupations provide family-sustaining wages and high skill levels. These changes affect students using the scholarship program and the institutions offering eligible courses. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
This bill abolishes Pennsylvania's State Board of Higher Education and replaces it with a new Performance-based Funding Council to oversee public colleges and universities. The council will consist of representatives from state universities, community colleges, independent institutions, labor unions, businesses, and students, along with state officials from education and labor departments. Key provisions include shifting certain oversight duties to the State Board of Education and Council of Higher Education, while establishing new reporting requirements for public institutions of higher education. The legislation aims to restructure how Pennsylvania manages and funds its public higher education system through a new governance framework.
This bill amends Pennsylvania law to allow individuals and married couples filing for bankruptcy to choose between federal exemptions or a new state-specific set of protections for their assets. The state options include up to $650,000 in home equity, $50,000 to $100,000 in personal property, $20,000 to $40,000 in vehicle equity, and various protected items like wages, Social Security benefits, and government assistance programs. Dollar amounts in the state exemptions will automatically adjust every three years based on inflation data published by the federal government. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted, applying to bankruptcy proceedings filed in Pennsylvania courts.
This bill modifies Pennsylvania's corporate net income tax law to update how taxable income is calculated for corporations, particularly those operating across state lines. It clarifies definitions for taxable income and adjusts rules for dividend deductions, restricting additional deductions for dividends between companies in the same unitary group after December 31, 2026. The legislation also introduces stricter limits on deductions for intangible and interest expenses related to transactions with affiliated entities, while providing tax credits to offset taxes paid by related companies in other jurisdictions. Additionally, the bill updates provisions for underpayment of estimated taxes and establishes requirements for consolidated tax reporting.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's driver licensing laws to clarify how the state handles cases where a driver is deemed medically incompetent to operate a vehicle. It requires the Department of Transportation to recall or suspend driving privileges for individuals whose incompetence has been established, with the recall lasting indefinitely until the person can prove they are safe to drive again. The legislation also creates a specific exemption for drivers who experience fainting due to coronary conditions if they have received a working pacemaker, have not fainted for seven days after the procedure, and have a doctor confirm the implant should prevent future episodes. This exemption does not apply to commercial drivers, and the law takes effect 60 days after passage.
