Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 468: An Act designating the first Monday in February each year as Emancipation Day in this Commonwealth.

HB 468 would designate the first Monday in February each year as "Emancipation Day" in the Commonwealth. This bill establishes an annual state observance to recognize the historical significance of emancipation for residents. It does not create new programs or alter existing laws, but formally designates a date for commemoration by state institutions and officials. The bill is currently pending in committee after being referred to the State Government committee.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1214: An Act amending the act of May 22, 1933 (P.L.853, No.155), known as The General County Assessment Law, in subjects of taxation and exemptions, further providing for temporary tax exemption for residential construction.

HB 1214 temporarily exempts new residential construction from county property taxes under the General County Assessment Law. It directly affects homeowners and developers building new single-family homes or residential units. The bill creates a limited-duration tax break, meaning newly constructed homes would not be taxed at full market value during the exemption period, instead being assessed at a lower rate. This change applies only to new residential construction, not existing homes or other property types.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1978: An Act to provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of certain agencies of the Executive Department for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

HB 1978 is a budget bill that allocates funding from the state's General Fund to cover the operating expenses of specific Executive Department agencies for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. It also includes provisions for paying bills incurred but unpaid as of June 30, 2025. This bill directly affects state agencies receiving these appropriations to cover their routine operations. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations Committee after recent committee actions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1417: An Act establishing the Community Diaper, Brief and Incontinence Products Grant Fund; directing the Department of Aging to establish a program to improve access to incontinence supplies; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Human Services.

HB 1417 creates a state grant fund to help community organizations provide diapers, briefs, and incontinence supplies to people in need, primarily affecting seniors and individuals with disabilities who rely on these products. It directs the Department of Aging to establish a program improving access to these supplies and assigns specific duties to the Department of Human Services for program implementation. Key provisions include setting up the grant fund, requiring the Aging Department to develop the access program, and outlining the Human Services Department’s role in managing it. The bill proposes concrete policy changes by creating a new funding mechanism and defining agency responsibilities to address supply access gaps.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1979: An Act to provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of certain agencies of the Executive Department for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

HB 1979 is a funding bill that allocates money from the state's General Fund to cover operating expenses for specific executive branch agencies during the 2025-2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It also directs payment for bills incurred but unpaid by the end of the prior fiscal year (June 30, 2025). The bill directly affects the designated state agencies that rely on this funding to operate, without changing any laws or policies. This is a routine budgetary measure to ensure agencies have necessary financial resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1900: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for educator tax credit.

HB 1900 would amend Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to create a tax credit for educators. This credit would allow teachers and school staff to reduce their income tax liability. The bill specifies this credit as part of the state's tax code changes, though details on eligibility or credit amount are not provided in the available context.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Nikki Rivera (D) · 28 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1999: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, providing for Smokey Bear license plate.

HB 1999 would add a Smokey Bear-themed license plate as an option for Pennsylvania vehicle owners during registration. It directly affects residents who choose to display this specialty plate instead of standard license plates. The bill amends vehicle registration rules to include this specific design option under Pennsylvania's license plate program.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 28, 2025

SB 1074: An Act amending the act of December 20, 1983 (P.L.260, No.72), referred to as the Public Adjuster Licensing Law, further providing for definitions, for license, for written disclosure of financial interest and for bond; providing for fees, for requirements and prohibitions and for separate pre-contract disclosure; and further providing for contract and for revocation, etc., of license.

SB 1074 updates Pennsylvania's 1983 Public Adjuster Licensing Law, directly affecting public adjusters who help insurance clients file claims. It requires adjusters to provide written disclosure of financial interests before contracts and mandates bonds to protect clients. The bill adds new fee structures, clarifies licensing requirements, and bans specific conflicts of interest. These changes aim to modernize oversight under the existing law without altering core licensing procedures. The bill is currently under review by the Appropriations committee.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1971: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for definitions and providing for portable solar generation systems.

HB 1971 amends Pennsylvania's public utilities law to restructure the electric utility industry and establish a legal framework for portable solar generation systems. The bill would directly affect electric utility companies and consumers who use or wish to install portable solar systems, including residential and small commercial users. Key provisions involve updating definitions within the public utilities code and creating new regulatory pathways for portable solar systems, though specific implementation details are not provided in the context. Without the full bill text, the exact mechanisms of the restructuring or solar system regulations cannot be detailed.

Topics ✓ Energy

Chris Pielli (D) · 38 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 28, 2025

SB 581: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1975 (P.L.604, No.173), entitled "An act to facilitate the use of electronic funds transfer systems by providing that credits to accounts in financial institutions designated by recipients shall satisfy legal requirements for payments by cash or checks," further providing for electronic funds transfers, for consumer protections and for payroll card accounts.

SB 581 updates Pennsylvania's 1975 electronic payment law to clarify rules for payroll cards and direct deposit. It requires employers to give employees 45 days' notice before eliminating cash/check payment options, with clear disclosure of all choices (including direct deposit) and deadlines to select a payment method at least 7 days before payday. If employees don’t choose, employers may use a payroll card they designate but must provide free access to wages (including two in-network ATM withdrawals weekly) and disclose all fees upfront. The law also prohibits payroll cards charging overdraft fees and mandates employers to honor requests to switch to direct deposit within 14 days. It directly affects Pennsylvania employees and employers using electronic wage payments.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 27, 2025

HB 1997: An Act imposing a duty on health care facilities to provide patients with autologous blood transfusions and direct allogeneic blood transfusions.

HB 1997 requires hospitals and blood banks to inform patients about the option of receiving their own blood (autologous) or blood from a donor (direct allogeneic) when medically appropriate during treatment planning. This applies directly to healthcare facilities providing transfusion services, mandating they discuss these options with patients. The bill does not alter medical standards but adds a requirement for facilities to ensure patients are aware of these specific transfusion choices. It is currently pending in the Health committee after referral on October 27, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 27, 2025

HB 608: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of cruelty to animal.

HB 608 amends Pennsylvania's animal cruelty law (Title 18) to adjust penalties based on the severity of harm caused to animals. It classifies most cruelty violations as summary offenses, but raises penalties to a second-degree misdemeanor if the act causes bodily injury or imminent serious injury to an animal. The bill specifically increases penalties for unauthorized ear cropping (cutting ears without a licensed vet), making it a second-degree misdemeanor for a first offense and a first-degree misdemeanor for repeat violations. This directly affects individuals who mistreat animals, particularly those performing prohibited ear cropping procedures.

Bill results