This bill creates a new funding mechanism for Pennsylvania school districts and charter schools to cover extraordinary special education expenses for students with disabilities. It allocates one percent of the state special education appropriation annually from 2016-2017 through 2025-2026, then increases this to two percent starting in 2026-2027, with specific rules for how funds are distributed based on student enrollment duration and expense levels. The legislation covers costs for specialized services including transportation, therapy, and mobility training, while establishing caps and prioritization rules to ensure equitable distribution across districts.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to clarify and strengthen tax exemptions for charitable, religious, volunteer fire, and nonprofit educational organizations. It requires these groups to use tax-exempt purchases only for their qualified purposes, excluding unrelated business activities and major construction projects from the exemption. The legislation also establishes a process for the Department of Revenue to issue conditional tax-exempt status to new organizations and allows for the revocation of exemptions if an organization no longer meets public charity requirements.
This bill allocates $2,235,000 from a restricted revenue account within Pennsylvania's General Fund to the Office of Small Business Advocate in the Department of Community and Economic Development. The funding is intended to support the operational expenses of the office for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The appropriation takes effect on July 1, 2026, or immediately, whichever occurs later. This measure provides financial resources to help the office carry out its existing functions without adding new programs or changing its responsibilities.
This bill modifies Pennsylvania's tax system for highway maintenance and construction by establishing a new annual payment rate of $6,000 per mile for state highways transferred to local municipalities. The law requires these funds to be deposited into a restricted account specifically designated for paying restoration costs and ongoing maintenance payments to affected municipalities. Additionally, the bill mandates automatic adjustments to these annual payments every 24 months starting February 1, 2028, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The Department of Transportation will calculate these inflation-based adjustments and notify the Legislative Reference Bureau for official publication. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.
This bill updates Pennsylvania laws governing the National Guard Youth Challenge Program to clarify how it is managed and monitored. It mandates that the program be staffed with necessary employees and allows the department to create rules for its operation. Additionally, the legislation requires the program to undergo an annual audit by an independent certified public accountant to ensure financial oversight. These changes directly affect the administration of the youth program and the state agencies responsible for its supervision.
This bill establishes a new Firefighter Cancer Screening Program and a dedicated Fund to provide cancer screening exams for eligible firefighters in Pennsylvania. The program defines eligible participants as firefighters from municipal, volunteer, or airport fire companies that meet specific criteria, such as having mutual aid agreements and responding to a minimum number of emergency calls. The Department of Health will issue benefits cards to these eligible individuals, allowing them to access medically necessary screenings using MRI or ultrasound at no cost to them. Additionally, the legislation outlines how the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund should be managed and disposed of within special funds.
This bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to receive a minimum of $19 million in state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is designated for the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program, which supports projects aimed at advancing agricultural practices and technologies. By amending the state's Fiscal Code, the legislation ensures this specific funding source is established and available to the department.
This bill creates a grant program to help Pennsylvania school districts and career and technical schools update their educational materials. Eligible schools can apply for funding to buy digital platforms or printed curricula that include lesson plans, multimedia content, and tools for tracking student progress. The amount each school receives is calculated based on its student enrollment and the total state funding available for the program. To qualify, schools must receive a recommendation from their local occupational advisory committee and certify that the funds will be used for approved curriculum modernization.
This Pennsylvania bill creates a limited tax credit program for manufacturers of malt or brewed beverages who make specific capital investments in their production facilities. Under the new rules, eligible companies can receive a tax credit for up to $200,000 in qualifying equipment purchases made during designated time periods, with the credit potentially usable over five years. The legislation also allows these tax credits to be sold to other taxpayers, who can then apply the credit against up to 50% of their own tax liability for that year. The Department of Revenue will oversee the program, including verifying taxpayer compliance before approving credit sales and setting guidelines for the process.
SB 64 creates an official logotype for veteran-owned businesses in Pennsylvania (defined as businesses where veterans own at least 51% of the interest). Businesses can apply to use the logotype through a department process, with a $250 fee and optional contributions to the Military Family Relief Assistance Fund. The fund, established under existing law, will use these fees and contributions to support military families. The bill also imposes penalties for falsely claiming veteran status to use the logotype. It directly affects veteran-owned businesses and funds military family relief programs.
