Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1263: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preemptions, providing for prohibiting occupancy limits.

This bill prevents Pennsylvania local governments from setting rules that limit how many family members can live in a single home. It achieves this by amending state statutes to explicitly ban occupancy restrictions based on familial relationships, which include connections through blood, marriage, adoption, or foster care. While the law removes these specific family-based limits, it allows municipalities to still enforce occupancy rules if they are necessary for health, safety, fire codes, or wastewater standards. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2447: 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 modifies Pennsylvania's sales tax code to temporarily exempt the purchase of firearm safety devices from sales tax. The exemption applies to items such as gun safes, vaults, lockers, and various types of locks, but only during a six-month window starting when the law takes effect. To qualify for the tax break, an individual must place their order and pay for the device within that six-month period, regardless of when the item is actually delivered. The Department of Revenue is required to publish online guidance to help consumers understand how to use this exclusion. The changes are scheduled to become effective on July 1, 2026, or immediately if enacted sooner.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SR 283: A Resolution honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson.

This Senate Resolution honors the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and activist who passed away in February 2026. The document outlines his significant contributions to social justice, including his work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Operation Breadbasket, and Operation PUSH, as well as his role in organizing the Black Political Convention and his two presidential campaigns. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of his impact on movements for racial equality, economic justice, and peace both domestically and internationally.

Sharif Street (D) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1264: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for consumer gas tax relief and for Commonwealth indebtedness.

This bill temporarily eliminates the state gas tax for drivers in Pennsylvania for a period of 60 days. To fund this tax relief, the state will issue $435 million in debt to cover the lost revenue. The borrowed money will be used specifically to pay for the financial costs of highway and bridge construction and maintenance projects. The state will repay this debt using funds from the Motor License Fund, which collects fees from vehicle owners.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1301: An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Law to clarify how the state defines "employment." Specifically, it adds a provision stating that temporary, seasonal labor performed by aliens admitted under specific federal immigration categories does not count as employment for unemployment compensation purposes. The change directly affects the Department of Labor and Industry by updating the rules used to determine eligibility for benefits. The legislation applies to services performed on or after its effective date, which is set to occur 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1265: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for consumer diesel fuel tax relief and for Commonwealth indebtedness.

This bill temporarily removes the tax on diesel fuel in Pennsylvania for a 60-day period to provide relief to consumers and businesses using the fuel. To fund this tax break, the state will take on $197 million in new debt, with repayment coming from the Motor License Fund. The borrowed money will be used to cover the financial costs of highway and bridge maintenance or construction projects during the tax relief period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SR 289: A Resolution designating the week of April 26 through May 2, 2026, as "Jewish Day Schools Week" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates the week of April 26 through May 2, 2026, as "Jewish Day Schools Week" in Pennsylvania to recognize the state's 34 Jewish day schools. The measure expresses appreciation for these institutions, which educate over 440,000 Jewish Pennsylvanians and provide cultural and religious instruction. The resolution highlights the schools' role in fostering community, offering bilingual education, and connecting students to global Jewish networks. It also notes that these schools have produced notable alumni such as Seth Rogen and Natalie Portman. This is a ceremonial designation with no changes to laws or funding.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1291: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in service and facilities, providing for advanced transmission technologies.

This bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to submit evidence showing how they plan to use advanced transmission technologies when applying to build new power lines. Under the new rules, proposed projects will only be approved if the commission determines that feasible and cost-effective technologies are used to achieve at least two specific goals, such as avoiding new construction, increasing system capacity, or reducing environmental impacts. The legislation also allows companies to recover any extra costs associated with these upgrades through approved tariffs and defines specific technologies like dynamic line rating and high-performance conductors.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2448: 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 and use tax on bicycles, bicycle parts, and helmets. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal, non-business use during a six-month window starting when the law takes effect. The legislation defines eligible items to include standard bikes, adaptive models, and various types of e-bicycles, while specifying that the tax break is valid if the purchase is made within the timeframe even if delivery occurs later. A department of revenue notice will be published online to guide the public on how to claim this temporary exclusion.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SR 290: A Resolution recognizing April 29, 2026, as "World Wish Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates April 29, 2026, as "World Wish Day" throughout Pennsylvania to honor the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The measure serves as a symbolic recognition of the organization's work granting wishes to children with critical illnesses and does not create any new laws or require funding. By acknowledging the anniversary of the first wish granted in 1980, the resolution highlights the foundation's impact on children's well-being and community spirit.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1300: 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, providing for exemption from tax for early withdrawal from certain accounts.

This Pennsylvania bill, SB 1300, amends the state's personal income tax code to allow tax-free withdrawals from certain retirement accounts for specific life events. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents who hold these accounts and plan to access funds for a child's birth or adoption or to purchase a first-time home. Under the new provisions, parents may withdraw up to $5,000 individually or $10,000 combined per child, while first-time homebuyers can withdraw up to $10,000. The legislation aligns state tax treatment with federal exemptions for these categories of early withdrawals. These tax exemptions will apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1297: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program, further providing for application for certification and for separation of facilities, providing for additional eligibility requirements, further providing for notification, for revocation of certification, for application for certification and for separation of facilities, providing for additional eligibility requirements and further providing for notification and records and for revocation of certification.

This Pennsylvania bill updates the state's Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program by adding new eligibility requirements that will take effect on January 1, 2030. To qualify for tax incentives, data centers must purchase 100% of their electricity from renewable sources and demonstrate investments in environmental management and energy efficiency by meeting specific green building standards. The legislation also allows owners to separate facilities into multiple certified units and establishes procedures for notifying the state of compliance and revoking certifications if requirements are not met.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

Bill results