HB 2079 establishes a program to reimburse eligible entities - such as school districts, counties, human services providers, Pre-K programs, and Head Start providers - for documented financing costs or lost interest income caused by delays in passing the state budget (defined as the period from July 1, 2025, until the 2025-2026 budget takes effect). The program is funded primarily by "impasse-generated interest" (interest earned from delayed state spending during the budget impasse), with the legislature providing additional funds if needed. The Office of the Budget will administer the program, including processing applications and reporting annually on reimbursements, funding sources, and recipient details.
HB 2060 requires Pennsylvania's Medicaid program and private commercial insurers to provide equal coverage for non-opioid and opioid medications used to treat pain. It prohibits insurers from designating non-opioid pain drugs as "non-preferred" when opioids are preferred, imposing stricter prior authorization requirements on non-opioids, or placing non-opioids in higher-cost tiers than opioids. The law applies immediately to any FDA-approved pain medication, affecting Medicaid beneficiaries and private insurance customers across Pennsylvania. This policy change ensures that patients have equal access to both non-opioid and opioid treatment options without discriminatory coverage barriers.
HB 2061 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to add new requirements for data center owners seeking tax incentives under the computer data center equipment program. It requires applicants to submit an affirmation that all contractors and subcontractors for construction, renovation, demolition, or similar work (starting July 1, 2025) will pay workers at least the Pennsylvania prevailing wage rate, as defined by the state's prevailing wage law. This applies regardless of whether the project would otherwise qualify for prevailing wage coverage under existing law. The bill directly affects data center developers planning major construction or renovation projects after July 2025 to qualify for tax incentives.
HB 2062 establishes six specialized emergency response teams within the Pennsylvania State Police, one for each of six designated geographic regions (Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, Central-South Central, and Southwest). These teams will handle incidents requiring rapid, tactical responses, with the State Police Commissioner setting their duties and mandatory training requirements. The training covers critical skills like safe building entry, team communication during operations, threat identification under stress, and preventing friendly fire. The bill mandates that the Commissioner develop selection criteria for team members and distribute these to regional stations.
HB 2063 establishes emissions standards for transportation and heating fuels in Pennsylvania, requiring fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon intensity of fuels sold in the state. It creates the Clean Fuels Standards Board to set annual emissions targets and administers the Fair Market Credit Trading Program, where entities that exceed standards can sell credits to those that fall short. The law directly affects fuel producers, refiners, and distributors by mandating lower emissions per unit of fuel energy, measured using life-cycle greenhouse gas analysis. Key provisions include technology-neutral standards (not favoring specific fuels), exemptions for agricultural co-products, and a credit system to incentivize clean fuel production without specifying outcome predictions.
HB 2068 allows Pennsylvania county courts (second class A and third through eighth class, including home rule counties) to charge a $10 automation fee when legal cases are filed. The fee funds technology upgrades for court offices through a dedicated "prothonotary automation fund." Fees may increase every three years, but only by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), not exceeding inflation. This directly affects anyone filing new court cases in participating counties.
HB 2064 increases the maximum fee that clerks of courts in Pennsylvania counties of second class A and third through eighth class (including home rule counties of the same class) can charge for initiating a legal action to $10 (from $5). The fee must be deposited into a county-specific "automation fund" to cover only court technology updates and automation improvements. Future fee increases are capped at the three-year Consumer Price Index change and can occur no more than once every three years. This bill directly affects residents and businesses filing lawsuits in these specific counties.
HB 2067 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify emergency powers for school boards during unforeseen crises. It allows boards to temporarily adjust school schedules (reducing daily hours or total days), shift to virtual learning, or furlough nonessential staff - subject to approval by the Secretary of Education and a maximum 4-year duration. The bill specifically enables districts to declare emergencies if the state budget isn't enacted within 60 days of a new fiscal year. This directly affects all Pennsylvania public school districts facing unexpected disruptions to normal operations.
HB 2066 repeals Pennsylvania's inheritance tax system by removing Article XXI ("Inheritance and Estate Tax Act") from the 1971 Tax Reform Code. This eliminates the state-level inheritance tax that would have applied to property transferred upon death. The bill directly affects individuals who would have owed this tax on estates or gifts, removing a layer of state taxation on inherited assets. The repeal is comprehensive, striking the entire framework of definitions, exemptions, and procedures related to inheritance tax from the tax code.
HB 2069 creates new rules for Pennsylvania municipalities to use automated systems that enforce vehicle noise limits using stationary cameras and decibel meters. It requires cities, towns, or counties to get state approval before installing these systems, including submitting details about proposed locations and justifications. The bill establishes procedures for application review, defines key terms like "automated vehicle noise enforcement system," and specifies penalties for violations of existing noise limits (67 Pa. Code § 157.11). Municipalities must designate a system administrator to manage the equipment and ensure compliance with the new framework.
HB 2070 amends Pennsylvania's Physical Therapy Practice Act to clarify that "dry needling" is a distinct physical therapy technique (not acupuncture) and requires licensed physical therapists to complete an approved certification program before performing it. The bill directly affects physical therapists in Pennsylvania who use dry needling, adding a mandatory certification requirement. It also explicitly prohibits physical therapist assistants from performing dry needling, even under supervision, and updates the definition of physical therapy to include dry needling as a permitted modality. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 2072 establishes a tuition waiver program for Native American students attending Pennsylvania colleges. It requires public and private colleges to waive tuition for students who are active members of tribes listed by the state (including tribes historically connected to Pennsylvania or the Carlisle Indian School). To qualify, students must apply to a college, enroll full- or part-time, and prove tribe membership through the state's published list. Colleges must report participation and retention data annually to the Department of Education. This program directly affects Native American students seeking higher education in Pennsylvania.
