Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 1970: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in licensing of drivers, further providing for issuance and content of driver's license and for carrying and exhibiting driver's license on demand.

HB 1970 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to update definitions and clarify requirements for driver's licenses. The bill specifies what information must appear on licenses (such as photo and personal details) and mandates that drivers carry their license at all times, presenting it to law enforcement upon request. It directly affects all licensed drivers in Pennsylvania by standardizing license content and enforcement procedures. The changes aim to improve clarity for both drivers and law enforcement regarding license presentation.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Ed Neilson (D) · 22 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2003: An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for flags made in America.

HB 2003 amends Pennsylvania's procurement laws to require state agencies to purchase flags made in America when acquiring flags for official use. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania state departments and agencies that purchase flags for government buildings, events, or displays. The key provision mandates that all flags purchased with state funds must be manufactured within the United States. The bill is currently in the referral stage to the State Government committee.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 1053: An Act amending the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act, in additional coverages, further providing for the definition of "employe."

SB 1053 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to expand the definition of "employe" to include volunteer emergency personnel. It specifically adds coverage for members of volunteer fire departments, ambulance corps, and rescue squads who perform operational support duties (such as fundraising, equipment maintenance, or administrative tasks) on a regular, approved basis - *not* just emergency response. This change ensures these volunteers qualify for workers' compensation if injured during approved activities, while explicitly excluding "social members" who do not perform operational duties. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HR 63: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study diversion programs and make recommendations for improving existing diversion programs and establishing new diversion programs.

This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study current diversion programs and recommend improvements or new programs. It requires the commission to examine barriers to existing programs, analyze successful models from other states, and provide a report to the House within one year. Diversion programs - which offer alternatives to incarceration for low-level offenses, mental health crises, or substance use issues - would be the focus of this review. The resolution does not create new law but aims to inform future policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2333: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for responsible utility customer protection.

This bill creates a new chapter in Pennsylvania's public utilities laws focused on protecting responsible customers from financial harm caused by others' unpaid bills. It establishes clearer rules for how utilities handle security deposits, payment arrangements, and service termination while requiring utilities to report on delinquent accounts and public assistance recipients. The legislation also introduces specific definitions for creditworthiness and income changes, mandates automatic meter readings, and provides additional collection tools for city natural gas distribution operations to improve their financial stability.

Topics ✓ Energy

Dave Madsen (D) · 17 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2151: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for data center ordinance assistance.

HB 2151 requires Pennsylvania's Center for Local Government Services to create a model zoning ordinance for data centers within six months. The model must include specific rules like building size limits, minimum distances from residential areas, landscape buffers, noise restrictions, and requirements for water/energy use. This helps local governments (townships, boroughs, cities) regulate data center development to address community concerns. Municipalities can request the Center's assistance when updating zoning rules for data centers, and the model must be updated annually.

Topics ✓ Environment

Kyle Donahue (D) · 29 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2150: An Act providing for annual reporting of energy consumption and water consumption by data centers; and imposing a penalty.

HB 2150 requires data centers in Pennsylvania to annually report their energy and water usage, including monthly consumption, energy sources, water sources, efficiency measures, and waste heat recovery, starting July 1, 2027. Data centers must submit detailed reports to the Department of Environmental Protection, covering specifics like peak energy use, water for cooling, and future projections. Non-compliant data centers face daily penalties of $10,000 until reports are submitted, with collected fines funding low-income energy assistance programs. The Department will publish an annual summary of consumption trends and environmental impacts for public and legislative review.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Kyle Mullins (D) · 31 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2087: An Act amending the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act, in additional coverages, further providing for definitions.

HB 2087 amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to extend coverage to volunteer firefighters, ambulance corps members, and rescue squad volunteers who provide regular operational support (such as fundraising, equipment maintenance, or administrative tasks) but do not respond to emergency calls. The bill adds these volunteers to the definition of "employe" under the act, requiring such support to be conducted regularly and approved by the municipality. It explicitly excludes social members who are not involved in operational duties. This change ensures these volunteers can receive workers' compensation for work-related injuries sustained while performing their support roles. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bob Freeman (D) · 17 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1139: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of General Services and its departmental administrative and advisory boards and commissions, providing for water bottle filling stations.

HB 1139 requires Pennsylvania state buildings to install water bottle filling stations in specific locations. New state buildings must include them where drinking fountains are required, and existing buildings undergoing major plumbing renovations must add them where drinking fountains were previously required. Stations must meet technical standards (e.g., minimum 8-gallon-per-hour flow at ≤50°F, not accessible to mouths, not in restrooms) and comply with plumbing codes. The bill aims to encourage reusable bottle use, reduce single-use plastic waste, and provide cost-effective, environmentally friendly water access for state building visitors and staff.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1278: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates, for statement of candidates for delegates to national conventions, for Secretary of the Commonwealth to furnish county boards with list of candidates and candidates to be notified, for nominations by political bodies, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for affidavits of candidates; and, in penalties, further providing for false affidavits of candidates and for false signatures and statements in nomination petitions and papers.

HB 1278 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to require candidates for state, local, and federal offices (including U.S. Congress) to submit a written statement (replacing the prior "affidavit" requirement) instead of an affidavit. This statement must include specific details like the candidate's residence, election district, office sought, eligibility confirmation, commitment to election laws, and awareness of campaign finance reporting rules. The bill updates penalties for false statements to reference Pennsylvania's unsworn falsification statute (18 Pa.C.S. § 4904), applying to all candidates filing nomination documents. It directly affects every candidate submitting paperwork for election in Pennsylvania, including those running for county, city, school board, or federal positions.

Nate Davidson (D) · 27 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 323: An Act amending Title 64 (Public Authorities and Quasi-Public Corporations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in economic development financing, providing for Keystone National Finance Authority.

Senate Bill 323 creates the Keystone National Finance Authority, a new public entity intended to promote economic development and job creation across Pennsylvania and the United States. This authority aims to provide additional financing for a wide range of projects, including industrial, commercial, and agricultural activities, as well as infrastructure, transportation, energy, and housing developments. It is designed to issue bonds and engage in conduit financing to fund these projects, supporting community revitalization and business opportunities. The authority is intended to serve as a public instrumentality of the Commonwealth, complementing existing agencies.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1522: An Act requiring the installation and maintenance of fuel gas detectors in certain buildings; providing for building owner responsibilities; and imposing penalties.

HB 1522 requires building owners to install and maintain fuel gas detectors in specific types of buildings, primarily affecting commercial and multi-family residential properties. The bill mandates regular inspections and proper functioning of these detectors to prevent gas leaks. Building owners who fail to comply face fines or other penalties as outlined in the legislation. The bill is currently under review by the Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities committee.

Bill results