Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 802: An Act amending the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, in procedure, further providing for exceptions for public records.

HB 802 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to add two new exceptions for public records: (1) notes and working papers used solely for personal purposes (like telephone message slips or routing slips with no official purpose) and (2) records disclosing the identity of a claimant or victim in a settlement of a sexual harassment or assault case. The bill clarifies that these exceptions do not apply to financial records, meaning agencies must still release financial records but may redact the specific protected portions. This change affects how public agencies handle record requests, particularly for personal employee materials and sensitive victim information. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1191: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in railroads, providing for prohibition on blocking of crossings, for limitation on length of freight or work trains, for authorization to monitor safety practices and operations by collective bargaining representatives, for safe staffing levels for trains or light engines, for wayside detector systems, for study of transportation of hazardous materials or waste, for reporting system for transportation of hazardous materials or waste and for hazard impact assessment; and imposing penalties.

HB 1191 strengthens railroad safety in Pennsylvania by prohibiting railroads from blocking highway crossings for more than five minutes (with $10,000 penalties), limiting freight train lengths to 8,500 feet, and requiring two-person crews for freight trains (with limited exceptions for smaller railroads). The bill authorizes union representatives to monitor safety practices and operations, mandates functional wayside detector systems on higher-risk tracks, and creates a reporting system for hazardous materials transportation. It directly affects all railroads operating in Pennsylvania, including their safety protocols, staffing, and infrastructure maintenance. Penalties for violations range from $1,000 to $25,000 for crew-related breaches, with enforcement handled by the Public Utility Commission.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Rob Matzie (D) · 28 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1718: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for flood insurance notification; imposing duties on the Insurance Department; and imposing a penalty.

HB 1718 requires Pennsylvania insurance companies to notify homeowners when they purchase or renew a standard homeowner's insurance policy about the availability and cost of separate flood insurance coverage. The law mandates that insurers provide a clear, stand-alone written notice (by mail or email) explaining that homeowner's insurance typically doesn't cover floods, highlighting flood risks even outside designated flood zones, and detailing how to obtain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers - including estimated costs. The Insurance Department must create a model disclosure form containing these required elements and can enforce compliance, imposing penalties of up to $10,000 per violation for non-compliance. This bill directly affects homeowners purchasing or renewing homeowner's policies and insurers operating in Pennsylvania.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1260: An Act providing for solar-ready projects involving a warehouse or distribution center; authorizing tax exemptions and special tax provisions; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; and imposing penalties.

HB 1260 would allow businesses owning warehouses or distribution centers to install solar energy systems by providing tax exemptions for "solar-ready" projects. It directly affects commercial property owners in the state by reducing their tax burden for qualifying solar installations. Key provisions include authorizing special tax breaks, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to establish guidelines for these projects, and imposing fines for non-compliance with solar-ready construction standards. The bill aims to incentivize renewable energy adoption in large commercial facilities through concrete tax policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Jacklyn Rusnock (D) · 47 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1257: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for exemptions and special provisions.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment in Pennsylvania regarding exemptions and special provisions, but the specific exemptions or provisions it would change are not detailed in the provided information. As a constitutional amendment, it would require approval by the state legislature and potentially a statewide vote, affecting Pennsylvania's constitutional framework. The bill is currently active (removed from the table on 2025-11-19) but remains in early procedural stages with no substantive content described. Since it is a procedural constitutional proposal without defined policy changes in the context, a detailed summary of its impact cannot be provided.

Tarah Probst (D) · 33 co-sponsors