Pennsylvania Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 7, 2025

SR 7: A Resolution designating the week of January 19 through 26, 2025, as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Week" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates the week of January 19-26, 2025, as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Week" in Pennsylvania. It urges all Pennsylvanians to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence, equality, and civil rights during this week and throughout the year. The bill does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes and commemorates Dr. King’s impact through a state-level observance.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 19, 2024

SR 374: A Resolution recognizing the year of 2024 as the "Year of The Franklin Institute" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate resolution officially designates 2024 as the "Year of The Franklin Institute" to honor the museum's 200th anniversary. The measure encourages residents and visitors across Pennsylvania to celebrate the institution's contributions to science education and community engagement. It does not alter any laws or policies but serves as a formal recognition of the museum's historical significance and ongoing role in Philadelphia.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 15, 2024

HB 93: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for scope of article, for definitions, for education program and for follow-up; and making an editorial change.

HB 93 requires institutions of higher education and private licensed schools in Pennsylvania to offer voluntary, free human trafficking prevention and education programs to first-year students. These programs must cover specific topics such as how traffickers profile victims, the role of online activity, and the differences between prostitution and trafficking. Schools are also required to submit an annual report to the Department of Education confirming that they have implemented these educational initiatives.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 13, 2024

SR 373: A Resolution honoring the life and celebrating the achievements of the Honorable Henry George Hager III and expressing condolences to his family and friends on his passing.

This resolution honors the life and achievements of the late Henry George Hager III, a former Pennsylvania state senator and Senate leader. It formally expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and friends following his passing. The document outlines his career highlights, including his service as a district attorney, his tenure as Senate President pro tempore, and his leadership roles at the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania.

Kim Ward (R) · 17 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 13, 2024

HB 2451: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1956 (1955 P.L.1429, No.466), referred to as the Poultry Technician Licensure Law, further providing for collection of samples, for technician requirements, for licensure, for powers and duties of Secretary of Agriculture and for blood sample restrictions.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Poultry Technician Licensure Law to expand the role of certified technicians in collecting regulatory samples from poultry and eggs for disease surveillance. It allows the Secretary of Agriculture to license technicians who have completed specific training and can legally work in the U.S., while also permitting the department to offer Spanish-language training. The legislation increases the licensing and renewal fees from $5 to $10 and grants the Secretary broader authority to set rules, suspend, or revoke licenses for incompetence or non-compliance. Additionally, the bill removes a previous restriction that prohibited licensed technicians from being employed by the poultry owners whose birds they inspect.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 13, 2024

HR 563: A Resolution designating the week of November 11 through 15, 2024, as "Pennsylvania Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week" and November 15, 2024, as "Red Shirt Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House resolution designates the week of November 11 through 15, 2024, as "Pennsylvania Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week" and November 15, 2024, as "Red Shirt Day." The measure aims to raise public awareness about the growing number of students without adequate housing and to highlight the barriers they face in accessing education and support services. By encouraging residents to wear red on the designated day, the resolution seeks to show solidarity with unaccompanied minors and their educators while promoting community involvement in assistance programs.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 12, 2024

HR 569: A Resolution expressing condolences upon the death of the Honorable Austin J. Murphy, Jr., a member of the House of Representatives from 1959 through 1971.

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' condolences for the death of Austin J. Murphy, Jr., a former member of the House who served Pennsylvania's western counties from 1959 to 1971. The text highlights his long public service career, including his time in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, his role as a practicing attorney, and his military service in the Marine Corps. It also notes his extensive legislative history, which included eight additional terms in the U.S. House of Representatives after his initial service. Finally, the bill directs that a copy of this resolution be sent to Mr. Murphy's family.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 12, 2024

HR 514: A Resolution designating the month of November 2024 as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House resolution designates November 2024 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the importance of early detection and support for those affected by the disease. The bill serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage public education about pancreatic cancer risks, symptoms, and the ongoing efforts of organizations seeking a cure. It does not allocate funding or change laws but instead expresses the House's support for awareness programs and research initiatives.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 7, 2024

HB 1578: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in natural gas competition, further providing for requirements for natural gas suppliers; and, in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for requirements for electric generation suppliers.

This bill updates Pennsylvania laws to set stricter financial and educational rules for natural gas and electric generation suppliers. It requires these companies to provide a financial bond or security to protect against bankruptcy and mandates that their sales representatives complete an approved training program and pass an exam before working. Specifically, suppliers making direct sales to homes must post a $1,000,000 bond in addition to any other required security. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is tasked with creating the training curriculum and overseeing compliance to ensure consumer safety and reliability.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 7, 2024

HB 2085: 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, further providing for definitions and for classes of income.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's tax code to provide specific definitions for volunteer firefighter retirement plans and to clarify how their contributions are treated for tax purposes. It directly affects volunteer firefighters and the fire companies or municipalities that sponsor their benefit programs by distinguishing these contributions from regular taxable compensation. The legislation establishes clear rules for two types of plans: defined benefit plans, which offer a guaranteed payout, and defined contribution plans, which rely on specific deposits. By explicitly stating that these contributions are not considered compensation, the bill aims to prevent them from being taxed as income for the firefighters. These changes apply to taxable years starting on or after January 1, 2024.

Justin Fleming (D) · 15 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 7, 2024

HB 2533: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for mental health crisis response and for evaluation and report; and imposing duties on the Department of Human Services.

This bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to submit detailed reports on the state's 988 suicide and crisis lifeline to legislative committees. The initial report, due within 180 days of the law's effective date, must include data on call volumes, answer rates, and awareness campaign performance, followed by an updated report one year later. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department ensure effective communication with diverse populations and non-English speakers when providing crisis support. These provisions aim to improve oversight and transparency regarding mental health crisis response efforts in the state.

Tarah Probst (D) · 18 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 7, 2024

HB 2565: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credits, repealing provisions relating to local resource manufacturing and for Pennsylvania Milk Processing and providing for Reliable Energy Investment Tax Credit and for Pennsylvania Milk Processing; in Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for application and approval of tax credit, for use of tax credits and for applicability; in semiconductor manufacturing and biomedical manufacturing and research, further providing for definitions and for application and approval of tax credit and providing for sustainable aviation fuel; and, in application of Prevailing Wage Act, further providing for definitions.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's tax credit program to support semiconductor, biomedical, and clean energy industries while removing older credits for local resource manufacturing and milk processing. Companies seeking these credits must meet specific requirements, such as investing at least $20 million in new facilities, creating 100 permanent jobs, and paying prevailing wages. The legislation also introduces a new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel and clarifies rules for clean hydrogen hubs. Additionally, the bill expands definitions for early-stage semiconductor businesses to include those with less than $10 million in revenue.

Bill results