Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HR 345: A Resolution designating the month of July 2026 as "Culinary Arts Month" in Pennsylvania.

This bill (HR 345) is a symbolic resolution designating July 2026 as "Culinary Arts Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies, but formally recognizes the culinary arts industry through a commemorative designation. The resolution directly affects no individuals or entities, as it serves only as a ceremonial observance. It was referred to the Labor & Industry committee for consideration.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 453: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in Commonwealth services, further providing for definitions relating to intrastate mutual aid; and, in emergency responder mental wellness and stress management, further providing for definitions.

HB 453 clarifies definitions in Pennsylvania law related to emergency services. It adds a specific definition for "telecommunicator" (including 911 dispatchers and call takers) and expands the definition of "emergency responder" to explicitly include telecommunicators, medical personnel, and other emergency workers in multiple sections of law. This bill directly affects emergency service workers like dispatchers, firefighters, and medical personnel by formally including them under defined terms for mental wellness programs and mutual aid protocols. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment and does not create new policies or funding.

Jessica Benham (D) · 29 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 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 providing for protection against PFAS chemicals and for firefighting protective equipment; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants; and imposing penalties.

HB 1261 bans PFAS chemicals (harmful substances linked to health risks) in firefighting protective gear, requiring safer alternatives for all new equipment. It creates grant programs to help fire companies replace PFAS-containing gear and mandates that state-funded equipment purchases must be PFAS-free. The bill also imposes penalties on entities failing to comply with the PFAS restrictions. These changes directly protect firefighters and guide fire companies' equipment procurement under Pennsylvania law.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Brian Munroe (D) · 35 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 2615: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, further providing for person with disability plate and placard.

This bill updates Pennsylvania vehicle registration rules to allow special plates for individuals with specific disabilities and their immediate family members. It defines eligibility for these plates based on conditions such as blindness, limited mobility, respiratory issues, or heart disease, while also including parents and spouses of those who qualify. The legislation permits each eligible applicant to receive up to two special plates for their own vehicles and allows motorcycles to display an access decal instead of a full plate. These changes would officially designate the vehicles as being used by people with disabilities, with the new rules taking effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 2616: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt the sales tax on protective gear purchased by firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers, and volunteer rescue personnel. The exemption applies specifically to items such as helmets, turnout coats, boots, and respiratory protection units during a six-month period starting on July 1, 2026. To ensure clarity, the legislation requires the Department of Revenue to publish online guidance on how to implement this temporary exclusion. The law defines the equipment and purchaser terms precisely, noting that the tax break applies even if the gear is delivered after the six-month window closes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Michael Stender (R) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 2613: An Act providing for complex wheelchair quality assurance; and imposing duties on the Department of Human Services and the Insurance Department.

This bill requires health insurance policies and government programs in Pennsylvania to cover semiannual maintenance and safety checks for complex wheelchairs. It defines complex wheelchairs as custom-designed medical devices that need regular adjustments to meet a user's specific physical needs. The law mandates that these coverage plans pay for the labor and travel costs associated with these evaluations, which can be conducted either in person or via telehealth. By imposing these duties on the Department of Human Services and the Insurance Department, the act ensures that individuals relying on specialized mobility equipment receive consistent care to maintain the device's functionality.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SR 332: A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the cost to the Commonwealth associated with the defrayal of health insurance benefit mandates under the Affordable Care Act.

This Senate Resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the financial impact on Pennsylvania of paying for health insurance benefits required by state law but not covered under federal standards. The study will list all health mandates adopted since 2011, analyze their compliance with federal rules, calculate potential costs to the state, and assess their effect on insurance markets. The Insurance Department is required to provide necessary data to the committee, which must submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within one year. This action is a response to a federal proposal that could require states to cover the cost of certain health benefits beyond those already mandated by national law.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 2618: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, further providing for persons ineligible for licensing, license issuance to minors and junior driver's license.

This bill introduces a new junior driver's license for 16 and 17-year-olds in Pennsylvania, which automatically converts to a regular license at age 18. Under the proposed rules, junior drivers would generally be prohibited from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, spouse, or guardian. However, the legislation creates an exception allowing these drivers to drive during those hours for school-sponsored activities if they possess a letter from the school confirming the event. If a junior driver is stopped by police without this letter but can later prove they had it, the charges would be dismissed. The law also defines terms like "school-sponsored activity" to include events such as field trips, athletic activities, and club meetings.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 1374: An Act amending the act of December 1, 1977 (P.L.237, No.76), known as the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act, further providing for title of act, for construction, for definitions, for deteriorated areas, for exemption schedule and for procedure for obtaining exemption; and providing for public registry.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act to clarify and expand the types of properties eligible for tax exemptions in economically depressed areas. It specifically broadens the definition of "deteriorated property" to include industrial, commercial, and other business properties, as well as government-owned sites like schools that are located in designated distressed zones or have been ordered vacated or demolished. The legislation also introduces new definitions for terms such as "converted residential portion" and "mixed-use building" to better guide local governments in identifying eligible sites. Under the updated rules, local taxing authorities must hold a public hearing to establish the boundaries of these deteriorated areas before granting tax relief for improvements or new construction within them.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 2612: An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8455, on that portion of U.S. Route 219 over Palestine Road in Adams Township, Cambria County, as the Sgt. Jason Dale Kriedler Memorial Bridge.

This bill designates a specific bridge on U.S. Route 219 in Cambria County as the Sgt. Jason Dale Kriedler Memorial Bridge in honor of a local veteran. The legislation formally names the structure after Sgt. Kriedler, who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was reported missing in action in 1950. To implement this change, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain official signs displaying the new name for drivers traveling in both directions. The act will become effective 60 days after it is passed.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 2617: An Act amending the act of October 22, 2014 (P.L.2611, No.165), known as the State Agency Green Technology Implementation Act, further providing for the title of the act, for short title, for legislative intent, for definitions and for authority of Secretary of General Services.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's State Agency Green Technology Implementation Act to broaden the scope of technologies that state agencies can test, specifically adding "emerging" and "cost-reductive" options alongside existing energy-efficient ones. The legislation grants the Secretary of General Services the authority to approve pilot programs for new technologies that meet high-performance building standards and have been independently certified or previously used by another state government. By requiring proof of energy savings and independent assessments for cost-reduction projects, the bill aims to ensure that state agencies only adopt solutions that are validated for their effectiveness before wider implementation.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 1299: An Act providing for a tax credit for retrofitting residential high-rise structures with an automatic fire sprinkler system and associated monitoring or detection devices.

This Pennsylvania legislation establishes a tax credit for owners of residential high-rise buildings located in major cities. The credit is designed to offset the costs of installing or upgrading automatic fire sprinkler systems and associated monitoring equipment within these structures. Owners may receive a credit equal to the amount spent on the retrofitting or up to 100% of their income tax liability, whichever is less. The Office of the Mayor in the respective city will administer the program and determine which buildings qualify as high-rise structures. The tax credit becomes available for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Bill results