Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 1429: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for report on transition to chip-enabled access cards.

HB 1429 requires the state agency administering public assistance programs (like food stamps or cash aid) to submit a report detailing a transition plan to replace current access cards with secure chip-enabled electronic cards. The bill directly affects recipients of public assistance and the agencies managing these programs by mandating a formal report on how the switch to chip cards will be implemented. Key provisions include specifying the report must cover timelines, costs, and how the transition will ensure continued access for beneficiaries. This is a procedural bill focused on reporting requirements, not altering benefit eligibility or funding.

Dan Williams (D) · 26 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 1626: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in career and technical education, further providing for Barber Training Through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program.

HB 1626 establishes a pilot program allowing career and technical centers (CTCs) and secondary schools in Pennsylvania to offer barber training under the State Board of Barber Examiners. The bill requires participating schools to report student and program data annually by June 30 through 2025. It specifies the pilot program expires three years after enactment (2025) but allows conversion to a permanent program without disrupting existing contracts or rules established during the pilot. This directly affects CTCs and schools participating in barber training, creating a structured pathway for students seeking barbering credentials.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 398: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, in games of chance, providing for online raffles by fire companies.

SB 398 allows Pennsylvania fire companies with existing small games of chance licenses to conduct online raffles. It requires tickets to be purchased only via debit or credit card and limits fire companies to two online raffles per year. The provision expires on December 31, 2026, and applies specifically to fire companies already authorized to host raffles under the 1988 law. This bill directly affects fire companies seeking to expand fundraising methods while maintaining payment and frequency restrictions.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 416: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, in games of chance, providing for payment; and abrogating a regulation.

SB 416 allows licensed organizations in Pennsylvania (like charities or community groups) to accept electronic payments - such as credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments - for raffle tickets. It requires these organizations to verify buyers are at least 18 years old and comply with federal gambling laws. The bill specifically prohibits mobile payment services for certain gaming licensees under Chapter 9. It also removes an outdated regulation (61 Pa. Code § 901.506) that conflicted with these new payment rules.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 877: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in career and technical education, further providing for Barber Training Through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program.

SB 877 establishes a permanent Barber Training Program at Pennsylvania career and technical centers (CTCs) and secondary schools, replacing a previous pilot program. The bill requires participating schools to report annual training data to the State Board of Barber Examiners using a standardized form. It ensures all existing pilot program activities, rules, and contracts continue unchanged under the new permanent structure. This policy change directly affects CTCs and secondary schools offering barber training, formalizing their participation in state-approved barber education.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 1330: 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 1330 is a state budget bill that allocates funding from the General Fund and other sources for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. It provides financial resources for all state executive departments (like Education, Health, and Transportation), judicial branches, and legislative support agencies to cover their operating expenses. The bill also includes provisions for paying unpaid bills from the previous fiscal year (ending June 30, 2025). This is a routine funding measure, not a policy change, directing existing state and federal funds to support ongoing government operations.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 16, 2025

SR 116: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to support the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102) to allow all medically retired service members to receive full access to their much-deserved retirement pay and benefits.

This Pennsylvania Senate resolution (SR 116) urges Congress to support H.R. 2102, the Major Richard Star Act, which would eliminate a rule reducing retirement pay for medically retired service members. Currently, veterans with less than 20 years of service and a disability rating under 50% lose $1 in retirement pay for every $1 in disability benefits they receive. The resolution highlights that an estimated 50,000 veterans are affected by this offset, with average monthly reductions of about $1,900. It specifically calls for removing this restriction to allow medically retired service members to receive full retirement pay and VA disability benefits simultaneously.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 15, 2025

HB 1574: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, establishing the Redevelopment Authority Startup Loan Program and the Redevelopment Authority Startup Fund.

HB 1574 creates a new loan program and fund to help local redevelopment authorities start community renewal projects. It establishes a Redevelopment Authority Startup Fund to provide low-interest loans for initiatives like rebuilding neighborhoods or revitalizing downtown areas. This directly affects cities and towns with active redevelopment agencies, giving them a new way to finance early-stage projects. The bill amends the Fiscal Code to set up this funding mechanism, changing how these local agencies access capital for urban renewal efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 14, 2025

HB 1599: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, providing for membership in regional transmission organization.

HB 1599 requires Pennsylvania electric distribution companies to join regional electricity grid operators (regional transmission organizations, or RTOs). It mandates that these companies submit annual reports by February 1st detailing all votes they cast or had affiliates cast at RTO meetings during the previous year. The reports must include a 20-100 word explanation of how each vote serves the public interest. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment, aiming to increase transparency in utility decision-making within regional grid management.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 14, 2025

HB 1575: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and providing for factory or mill building economic revitalization.

HB 1575 creates a new tax credit program to revitalize vacant industrial properties in Pennsylvania. It directly affects building owners of pre-1973 factories or mills that have been at least 75% vacant for 24 months and are designated by their municipality for rehabilitation. The bill establishes a credit equal to 20% of qualified renovation costs (like structural repairs or equipment upgrades) that meet specific value thresholds, applied against certain business taxes. To qualify, properties must be rehabilitated for mixed commercial/residential use, and the program is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bob Freeman (D) · 20 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 14, 2025

HB 1532: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in comprehensive plan, providing for municipal specific plans; and, in intergovernmental cooperative planning and implementation agreements, further providing for specific plans.

HB 1532 updates Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to allow municipalities to create more tailored "specific plans" for defined areas (like downtowns or industrial zones), beyond general comprehensive plans. It clarifies definitions, streamlines the process for local governments to develop these targeted plans, and improves coordination for shared planning between municipalities and counties. This directly affects Pennsylvania towns and cities managing land use and development, giving them greater flexibility in planning for specific neighborhoods or projects. The bill passed in July 2025 and is now law.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 14, 2025

HB 1358: An Act amending Title 48 (Lodging and Housing) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hotels, providing for protection of hotel employees; and imposing penalties.

HB 1358 updates Pennsylvania's lodging laws to directly protect hotel employees. It requires hotels to safeguard workers from retaliation for reporting safety issues or violations, replacing vague existing rules with specific protections. The bill imposes fines on hotels that violate these new safeguards, targeting employers who fail to prevent retaliation. This law affects all Pennsylvania hotels and lodging businesses, focusing on concrete changes to employee safety and enforcement.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Roni Green (D) · 26 co-sponsors

Bill results