Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 1908: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for arrest for violation of order and for contempt for violation of order or agreement.

HB 1908 amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations law to strengthen enforcement of protection orders in abuse cases. The bill requires law enforcement to make an arrest when someone violates a protection order, rather than allowing discretion. It also specifies that violating a protection order or a related agreement (like a custody agreement) can be treated as contempt of court. This directly affects victims of domestic abuse, law enforcement officers, and individuals subject to protection orders by changing how violations are handled under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 1308: An Act amending Titles 27 (Environmental Resources) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for storm water management; and, in municipal authorities, further providing for definitions and for purposes and powers.

HB 1308 updates Pennsylvania's storm water management rules by amending environmental (Title 27) and municipal (Title 53) statutes. It requires municipalities to implement new storm water management plans for new construction and development projects, directly affecting local governments and developers. The bill establishes standardized requirements for managing runoff to protect water quality, including updated definitions and procedures for municipal authorities. These changes aim to modernize how communities address storm water pollution under state law.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 2034: An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for mushroom farming; imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture; and establishing the Mushroom Farming and Composting Fund.

HB 2034 creates the Mushroom Farming and Composting Fund within Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture to support mushroom farmers and composting businesses. The bill requires the Department to manage the fund, which will provide financial assistance for mushroom farming operations and composting initiatives. It directly affects mushroom growers and composting businesses by establishing a dedicated funding source for their industry. The key policy change is the creation of this new fund, replacing any existing mechanisms for supporting these specific agricultural activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 804: An Act amending the act of March 28, 1984 (P.L.150, No.28), known as the Automobile Lemon Law, further providing for definitions and for repair obligations; and applying the act to recreational vehicles.

HB 804 expands Pennsylvania's existing Automobile Lemon Law (originally enacted in 1984) to cover recreational vehicles (RVs), including campers and motorhomes. It requires dealers to repair persistent defects in new RVs after a specified number of attempts, aligning RV repair obligations with those for automobiles. The bill updates definitions and repair procedures within the law to apply directly to RV buyers and dealerships selling new recreational vehicles. This change ensures RV purchasers have similar protections as car buyers when facing repeated, unresolved defects.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 1479: An Act amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions and for relief; and, in protection of victims of sexual violence or intimidation, further providing for definitions and for relief.

HB 1479 amends Pennsylvania laws related to protection from abuse and victim support for sexual violence or intimidation. It updates definitions and expands available legal relief options for two specific groups: individuals seeking protection from domestic abuse and victims of sexual violence or intimidation. The bill focuses on clarifying statutory language and strengthening procedural pathways for obtaining court-ordered protections. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania residents who are victims of these specific harms and seek legal remedies through the state's judicial system. The bill is currently pending in committee after being referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 2038: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in games of chance, further providing for prize limits.

HB 2038 amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to update definitions and set new limits on prize values for small-scale gambling activities, such as local lotteries and raffles operated under municipal authority. The bill clarifies specific terms used in the law and establishes specific caps on the maximum prize amounts that can be offered in these games. This directly affects local governments and businesses that host small games of chance, requiring them to adjust prize structures to comply with the updated limits. The bill is currently under review by the Gaming Oversight committee.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 430: An Act imposing the duty on Department of Environmental Protection to prohibit the construction or installation of wind turbines that negatively affect military installations.

HB 430 requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to block the construction or installation of wind turbines that interfere with military operations at nearby installations. This bill directly affects wind energy developers seeking permits near military bases and the DEP, which would enforce the prohibition. The key provision mandates the DEP to deny permits for turbines causing negative impacts - such as radar interference - without requiring new studies or cost-benefit analyses. It does not alter existing wind energy policies but adds a specific military safety requirement to DEP permitting decisions.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 1741: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program, further providing for definitions and for powers, duties and administration.

HB 1741 updates definitions and administrative procedures for Pennsylvania's Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program under the Fiscal Code. It clarifies terms and outlines specific responsibilities for state agencies managing the program, directly affecting farmers seeking conservation assistance and the agencies that administer it. The bill focuses on improving program clarity and operational structure without changing funding levels or eligibility criteria. This procedural amendment aims to streamline how the program is implemented and managed.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 2040: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in miscellaneous provisions, providing for the offense of careless operation of electric scooters; and, in powers of department and local authorities, further providing for specific powers of department and local authorities.

HB 2040 amends Pennsylvania's Vehicle Code to address electric scooters. It adds specific definitions for e-scooters, creates a new offense for careless operation (like reckless riding), and clarifies the powers of transportation departments and local authorities to regulate them. The bill directly affects e-scooter riders and local governments managing sidewalk or road use. Key provisions include defining "careless operation" as a violation and giving authorities clear authority to enforce rules for e-scooter safety.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 2039: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for innovative assessment and accountability demonstration authority.

HB 2039 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a process for the state to seek federal demonstration authority under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It requires the Department of Education to develop an innovative assessment system - potentially including competency-based or performance-based evaluations - through public hearings and a 30-day comment period before May 1, 2026. The bill mandates submitting a federal application by that date to replace or supplement current standardized testing requirements. This procedural bill directly affects Pennsylvania public schools by enabling a new framework for measuring student achievement, pending federal approval.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 2036: An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sustainable mobility options, further providing for Public Transportation Trust Fund and providing for residency requirement for senior programs.

HB 2036 requires Pennsylvania senior citizens (65+ or as defined) to provide proof of state residency to qualify for free or reduced fares on public transportation. It amends the Public Transportation Trust Fund to clarify that lottery funds can cover transit losses from free senior service during regular hours and caps commuter rail fares for seniors at $1 per trip (extended to all hours). Transportation providers must verify residency documentation (like a valid Pennsylvania driver's license) every four years and submit compliance plans to the state. The state will conduct random audits to ensure providers follow these rules.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 17, 2025

SB 1092: An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 22595, located on that portion of U.S. Route 22 in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, over Pennsylvania Route 934 as the CW5 John Michael Travers Memorial Bridge.

SB 1092 designates a specific bridge on U.S. Route 22 in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, over Pennsylvania Route 934 (Bridge Key 22595) as the CW5 John Michael Travers Memorial Bridge. The bill directly affects the official identification of this bridge by renaming it to honor CW5 John Michael Travers, a U.S. military service member. This procedural change will update transportation records and signage to reflect the new memorial name.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Bill results