Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2026

SB 1261: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies; and, in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for definitions, for publication and notice, for award of grants, for consolidation incentive, for publication and notice and for award of grants, repealing provisions relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program, to expiration of authority relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to expiration of authority relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program and further providing for annual reports.

SB 1261 updates Pennsylvania laws to provide financial assistance to fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies through a state loan program. The bill allows these organizations to apply for loans to purchase or modernize vehicles, facilities, and protective equipment, while also permitting refinancing of existing debt. Key provisions include setting specific loan limits, requiring applicants to contribute at least 20% of project costs, and mandating that protective gear be free of harmful chemicals. Additionally, the legislation repeals previous COVID-19 specific grant programs and establishes a requirement for annual reporting on the use of these funds.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2026

SB 1303: An Act providing for the placement of a monument of the Braille Flag at the State Capitol Building as a tribute to honor and remember those who have served in the line of duty and those left behind.

This bill directs the Pennsylvania State Capitol to install a bronze monument of the Braille Flag in the East Wing to honor veterans and their families. The Department of General Services is tasked with coordinating with The Moose organization to select a site and oversee the monument's installation. The monument will feature the Pledge of Allegiance written in braille, recognizing the legacy of blind veterans and those who served with lasting disabilities.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2026

SB 1235: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for Pennsylvania Parole Board and for incompatible offices and removal.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's parole board membership rules by clarifying how board vacancies are handled when a member's term expires. It requires the Governor to nominate a replacement within six months of a term ending, even if the current member stays on the board temporarily. The changes apply to all current and future Pennsylvania Parole Board members and will take effect 60 days after passage. The legislation focuses on administrative procedures for board composition rather than altering parole eligibility or release standards.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2299: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions; and, in recordings by law enforcement officers, further providing for definitions.

This bill updates legal definitions related to wiretapping and electronic surveillance in Pennsylvania, specifically clarifying what counts as an "oral communication" and who qualifies as a "law enforcement officer." It directly affects law enforcement agencies and individuals involved in electronic surveillance activities by expanding the list of recognized law enforcement personnel who can legally intercept communications during official duties. The key provision adds nine new categories of law enforcement officers to the existing definition, including state police, municipal officers, waterways conservation officers, and correctional facility investigators, while also specifying that communications made in the presence of uniformed officers using approved devices are not protected from interception. The changes apply to both state and local law enforcement and will take effect 60 days after passage.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2219: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, further providing for display of registration plate, for antique, classic and collectible plates, for personal organization registration plates, providing for arts registration plate, for Fish PA plate and for mental health registration plate, further providing for special plates for current members of the armed forces of the United States, for Gold Star Family plate and for special plates for recipients of Presidential Service Badge, providing for special plates for recipients of Vice Presidential Service Badge, for special plates for recipients of commendation medals and for special plates for recipients of achievement medals; in fees, further providing for payments to special funds; and, in miscellaneous provisions relating to offenses in general, further providing for the offense of use of registration plate flipping device.

HB 2219 prohibits the use of devices that obscure or alter license plates on vehicles, including manual or electronic "flipping" devices and tinted covers. It specifically bans devices designed to hide plates from view, switch between plates, or interfere with traffic enforcement systems like red light cameras and electronic toll systems. Violating this law carries a $2,000 fine for possession, operation, or distribution of such devices. The bill directly affects drivers who use these devices to avoid traffic enforcement or tolls, and it prevents double-charging for the same offense under related vehicle registration laws. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2026

SB 1133: An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, further providing for State Board of Pharmacy.

SB 1133 amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to adjust the composition of the State Board of Pharmacy. The bill increases the number of pharmacist members from five to six, requiring two to be appointed from acute care institutional pharmacies (previously one), and specifies that pharmacy technician members must have at least five years of experience. All board members serve six-year terms, with the technician limited to one term and other members to two consecutive terms. Appointments require the Governor's nomination and Senate approval.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2083: An Act amending Title 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hotel tax, further providing for hotel room rental tax in third through eighth class counties and for hotel room rental tax in second class and second class A counties and providing for uniform hotel tax report and forms.

HB 2083 updates Pennsylvania's hotel tax rules for third through eighth class counties, requiring hotels and booking agents to submit monthly reports detailing room rates, discounts, and taxes collected. It mandates that counties keep these records confidential (exempt from public disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law) and allows counties to impose penalties up to $250 per day for non-compliance, with fines funding tax administration. The bill also directs the state to create uniform tax reporting forms for counties, developed with input from county associations and state agencies. This standardizes reporting while clarifying county authority over hotel tax collection.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2082: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in hotel occupancy tax, further providing for imposition of tax.

HB 2082 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to clarify how hotel occupancy taxes are collected and distributed. It requires booking agents to collect and remit both the standard 6% state hotel tax (under Section 210(a)) and additional local taxes from specific county or authority laws (like the Community and Economic Improvement Act or county convention center taxes) when processing bookings. Revenue from the standard tax goes to the state Tourism Promotion Fund, while additional local taxes are deposited per county ordinance. The bill also mandates counties to receive monthly transaction details (including fees and taxes) from operators, with these records exempt from public disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2026

SB 142: An Act prohibiting enforcement of covenants not to compete in broadcast employment agreements.

SB 142 prohibits employers in Pennsylvania's broadcast industry (including TV, radio, and digital media companies) from enforcing non-compete clauses in employment agreements. It makes such clauses void and unenforceable if they restrict an employee's ability to move to a new employer or work within a specific geographic area after leaving a job. The bill does not affect agreements requiring employees to keep company information confidential. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 996: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in emergency medical services system, further providing for basic life support ambulances.

HB 996 repeals an expiration date for a provision regulating basic life support ambulances in Pennsylvania's emergency medical services system. Specifically, it removes the clause stating that exceptions to ambulance standards would expire on April 29, 2027. This change means the existing regulatory exception for basic life support ambulances will remain in effect indefinitely without a future sunset date. The bill directly affects ambulance services and emergency medical providers operating under Pennsylvania's Title 35 health and safety regulations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Joe Hamm (R) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2026

SB 599: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in county boards of elections, further providing for expenses of county boards and of primaries and elections to be paid by county, expenses of special elections and boards to be provided with offices; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot and for voting by absentee electors; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for voting by mail-in electors.

SB 599 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to clarify procedures for absentee and mail-in voting. It updates rules for how voters can obtain and return ballots, allowing county boards to provide absentee ballots to designated representatives or deputies (via judges) if voters cannot visit offices themselves. The bill also specifies that completed absentee ballots must be returned to the county board's primary office at the county seat. These changes directly affect voters using absentee or mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania elections, streamlining their voting process while maintaining security protocols.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 733: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in marriage ceremony, further providing for persons qualified to solemnize marriages.

HB 733 amends Pennsylvania law to allow members of religious orders, bodies, or institutions to perform marriage ceremonies, provided they are authorized by their religious group's rules. This directly affects religious organizations and their designated members who currently may not be permitted to officiate weddings under existing statutes. The key provision adds a new category to the list of authorized marriage officiants in Title 23, specifying that religiously authorized individuals may conduct ceremonies per their institution's customs. The change does not alter marriage eligibility or create new marriage rights, but expands who can legally perform wedding ceremonies. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Bill results