SB 803, the First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account Act, creates a program allowing Pennsylvania residents who have never owned a home (first-time homebuyers) to open tax-advantaged savings accounts. The Treasury Department will administer the program using existing structures (like the ABLE Program), enabling account holders to save for down payments and closing costs on single-family homes. Funds in the accounts can only be used for eligible home purchase expenses, with the program funded by account contributions and earnings - not state debt. This bill directly affects first-time homebuyers seeking to save for homeownership within Pennsylvania.
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.
SB 998 would create a grant program to fund expansions of nursing education programs at colleges and universities. It requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer grants for institutions aiming to increase nursing program capacity, directly affecting nursing schools and future nursing students. Key provisions include establishing grant criteria, application processes, and reporting requirements for funded programs. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations committee after committee review.
SB 979 would prevent property tax increases for minor home improvements (20% or less of a property’s current assessed value) on primary residences under specific conditions. The bill prohibits assessors from raising taxes if the home has been the owner’s primary residence for at least five years from the improvement date and this is the first time such minor improvements have been made during ownership. It also explicitly excludes normal repairs and painting from triggering tax reassessments. This bill directly affects homeowners in Pennsylvania making small renovations to their primary homes.
HB 1425 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to update taxes on tobacco products and establish a new online directory for electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes). It directly affects tobacco manufacturers, dealers, and e-liquid producers by changing tax rates and requiring manufacturers to submit product information to the new directory. The bill's key provisions include adjusting tax incidence and rates for traditional tobacco products while creating a mandatory, publicly accessible registry for e-liquid products. These changes aim to modernize tax collection and improve product transparency for regulatory oversight.
SB 975 requires boroughs and cities in Pennsylvania to complete, publish, and file annual financial reports by June 30 each year. It mandates that auditors publish concise financial summaries (showing assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses) in a local newspaper at least 10 days before the annual meeting, and submit full reports to the Department of Community and Economic Development. Municipal officials who fail to meet these deadlines face fines of $5 per day, with fines going to the state. The bill tightens existing reporting rules for local government financial transparency without changing tax policies or service provisions.
SB 1096 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to allocate supplemental state funding specifically for rural infrastructure projects, such as road and bridge repairs. This bill directly affects rural communities and local governments in Pennsylvania that maintain infrastructure in less populated areas. The key mechanism provides new state funds within the existing transportation budget framework, targeting improvements to aging rural roads and bridges. The bill does not change vehicle regulations but adds dedicated resources for infrastructure maintenance in rural regions.
This bill modifies Pennsylvania's oil and gas fee structure to redirect 40% of remaining revenue from unconventional gas well fees (after 2011) into the Marcellus Legacy Fund. Specifically, 25% of this portion will fund county bridge repairs through the Highway Bridge Improvement Restricted Account. Counties and municipalities can use these funds to repair deteriorated bridges, regardless of federal aid eligibility, by submitting approved repair plans. The funds are distributed proportionally based on county population, and first- or second-class counties may also use them for public transportation authority bridges. This changes how oil and gas fee revenue is allocated to support local infrastructure.
HB 1359 amends Pennsylvania's entertainment tax incentive program by updating its definitions, procedures, and limitations, directly affecting entertainment businesses seeking tax benefits. It also adds new regulatory requirements for self-service storage facilities, including operational standards. The bill clarifies how the entertainment program operates while creating a new framework for overseeing storage facility safety and business practices. These changes became law on November 24, 2025, after approval by the governor. The legislation focuses on administrative updates and new oversight without altering tax rates or funding levels.
HB 923 amends the State Lottery Law to redirect lottery revenue toward providing pharmaceutical assistance for elderly residents. It directly affects seniors who qualify for prescription drug aid under state programs by modifying eligibility determination procedures. The key provision updates how income and asset thresholds are calculated to determine who qualifies for this assistance. The bill became law on November 24, 2025, after approval by both legislative chambers and the governor.
