Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1395: An Act amending the act of January 17, 1968 (P.L.11, No.5), known as The Minimum Wage Act of 1968, further providing for preemption.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act to establish state-level preemption, meaning the state government sets the minimum wage rules that apply to all employers across the state. It prevents local cities and counties from passing their own minimum wage laws that differ from the state standard, with two exceptions: local rules adopted before January 1, 2006, remain valid, and new local rules can still be passed after the bill takes effect. The legislation will become active 60 days after it is signed into law.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1385: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's public utility laws to explicitly exclude data centers from the legal definition of a public utility. It achieves this by adding a specific definition for "data center" and listing it as an entity that does not fall under public utility regulations. The change directly affects how data center facilities are classified within the state's public utilities code, distinguishing them from traditional utility providers. The legislation will become effective 60 days after it is signed into law.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1402: An Act amending Title 7 (Banks and Banking) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for licensing and regulation of shared equity providers and shared equity agreements; imposing duties on the Department of Banking and Securities; and imposing penalties.

This bill establishes a formal regulatory framework in Pennsylvania for shared equity agreements, which are financial contracts where a provider gives a homeowner money in exchange for a stake in the property's future value. It directly affects financial institutions and investors offering these nonrecourse loans, requiring them to obtain a license from the Department of Banking and Securities to operate legally. The legislation defines specific terms like "shared equity provider" and outlines the duties of the state department to oversee these transactions, while also setting penalties for noncompliance. By creating new chapters in the state statutes, the bill aims to bring transparency and oversight to this growing area of residential finance without altering existing reverse mortgage rules.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1377: An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in transportation infrastructure, providing for design build best value.

This bill authorizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to use a "design build best value" method for selecting contractors on highway and bridge projects. Instead of choosing a winner solely based on the lowest price, this process allows the commission to evaluate proposals based on a combination of technical merit, innovation, schedule, and cost. The legislation sets specific rules for how these projects are advertised and selected, including limits on the number of such procurements allowed per year and requirements for public notice. It also defines the terms used in the process, such as "alternative technical concepts," which permit bidders to suggest improvements to the original project requirements.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2632: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in educational tax credits, further providing for limitations and providing for termination of authority; providing for education options tax credits; establishing the Accountability for Diverted Tax Dollars Restricted Account; providing for scholarship granting organizations, for application by eligible contributors, for scholarships, for educational improvement programs, for low-achieving schools, for school participation in program and for original jurisdiction; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Education, the Department of Revenue, the Auditor General, the Independent Fiscal Office and the State Treasurer.

This Pennsylvania bill establishes a temporary program allowing businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship and educational improvement organizations. The legislation sets specific annual spending limits for these credits, which are available only for fiscal years before 2027-2028, and creates a new restricted account to track the funds. It also defines various terms related to the program, including assessments and business firms, while assigning oversight duties to several state departments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Nikki Rivera (D) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2671: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking, further providing for unlawful devices and methods; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for denial or revocation of licenses and for period of revocation.

This Pennsylvania bill expands rules against hunting and trapping by explicitly banning the use of devices that involve beating game or wildlife. It also strengthens license penalties by allowing officials to revoke hunting or trapping privileges for specific serious violations, including the new beating prohibition, hunting while intoxicated, entering safety zones, damaging property, shooting at people, and failing to assist after an incident. Additionally, the law permits license revocation for individuals convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals in Pennsylvania or similar offenses in other states. The commission retains the authority to set the specific duration for any license revocations.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1404: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's laws on arson to clarify and strengthen penalties for setting fires that endanger people. It directly affects individuals who intentionally start fires or explosions, particularly those who put firefighters, police officers, or other emergency responders at risk. The key provision reorganizes existing rules to ensure that causing bodily injury to anyone, including first responders, or setting a fire while someone is inside a building results in a first-degree felony. Additionally, the bill maintains that if a fire caused by these actions leads to death, the offender can be charged with second-degree murder, or first-degree murder if the intent was to kill. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1405: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's arson laws to clarify what it means for a first responder to be "actively engaged in fighting the fire." It directly affects firefighters and other emergency personnel by expanding the definition of their duties to include a wider range of actions, such as traffic control and station standby, that support fire suppression efforts. The legislation explicitly excludes fundraising activities from this definition to ensure only operational responses are covered. These changes aim to provide clearer legal standards for determining liability in arson cases involving emergency services. The new provisions will become effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SR 345: A Resolution condemning the actions of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, including the illegal abduction and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.

This Senate resolution formally condemns the Russian Federation for its invasion of Ukraine and specifically denounces the illegal abduction and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. The measure declares that these actions violate the Genocide Convention and amounts to genocide, asserting that Russia aims to erase Ukrainian culture and identity by removing its next generation. By stating these findings, the resolution holds the Russian government responsible for the wrongful removal and indoctrination of children while highlighting the severe risks these minors face, such as exploitation and trauma. As a non-binding legislative statement, this bill directly affects the Senate's official record and expresses the state's stance on the humanitarian crisis without imposing new laws or penalties.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2672: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in organization of departmental administrative boards and commissions and of advisory boards and commissions, providing for Cybersecurity Coordination Board.

This bill creates a new Cybersecurity Coordination Board within the Pennsylvania Office of Administration to improve state cybersecurity efforts. The board will collect and share security information, advise the Governor on best practices, and coordinate with federal agencies, local governments, and private sector partners. Its membership includes representatives from key state offices, elected officials, local government leaders, and three appointed cybersecurity experts. The board will also invite federal agency representatives to serve in advisory roles and will elect its own leadership while appointing an executive director to manage its daily operations.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2675: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, further providing for classes of income.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax code to clarify that certain educational savings distributions are not taxable. Specifically, it ensures that withdrawals from qualified tuition programs rolled over into a Roth IRA remain exempt from state taxation, aligning state rules with federal tax exemptions. The change directly affects Pennsylvania residents who utilize these specific financial vehicles for education savings. By updating the Tax Reform Code, the legislation provides clear guidance on which income classes are excluded from state tax liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2550: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for Small Business Health Care Premiums Contribution Tax Credit.

This bill creates a new tax credit for small businesses in Pennsylvania that help employees pay for health insurance purchased through the state exchange. To qualify, a business must have 50 or fewer employees and make contributions toward health reimbursement arrangements for their workers. The credit is calculated based on the first $1,000 of contributions per employee and can be applied to reduce the business's state tax liability. Companies claiming the credit must submit detailed forms to the Department of Revenue listing employee information and insurance provider details.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Jen Mazzocco (D) · 22 co-sponsors

Bill results