SB 1020 modifies Pennsylvania's hunting and trapping license fee structure to expand resident license exemptions. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents who hunt or trap, particularly those who may qualify for reduced or waived fees under updated criteria. The bill changes specific provisions in Title 34 of the state statutes to clarify eligibility for these exemptions, making it easier for qualifying residents to obtain licenses without paying standard fees. The bill passed final passage on November 18, 2025, and was referred to the Game & Fisheries committee for further consideration.
SB 10 establishes the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program (PASS), providing financial assistance to low-income students attending nonpublic schools. It directly affects eligible students in Pennsylvania who live in households below 250% of the federal poverty level, attend or reside within the attendance boundary of a low-achieving public school, and have not earned a high school diploma. The program, administered by the State Treasury starting in the 2026-2027 school year, covers tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at participating nonpublic schools. School districts must notify parents of eligible students about the program within 15 days of a school being designated "low-achieving."
SB 1078 would standardize the 911 emergency service surcharge across Pennsylvania by replacing inconsistent local rates with a single statewide fee. It directly affects local governments and emergency services that collect these surcharges from phone and utility customers. The bill repeals outdated provisions in the current law that allowed varying surcharge amounts, ensuring all communities use the same rate for 911 funding. This change aims to simplify billing and ensure consistent revenue for emergency communications systems statewide. The bill was laid on the table in November 2025, meaning it did not advance further in the legislative process.
This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study the state's aircraft and aviation assets (like planes, helicopters, and hangars) owned by departments including Transportation, the Attorney General's office, and State Police. The study must inventory all assets, review operational needs, costs (including maintenance and storage), insurance, and compare leasing versus ownership to identify savings. It requires the Commission to examine best practices from other states and the private sector, then provide cost-saving recommendations to the legislature within 12 months. The goal is to improve efficiency and transparency in managing these resources for taxpayer savings.
SB 1040 allows the State Treasurer to stop charging interest on loans taken by the state during a budget disagreement (budgetary impasse). It directly affects the State Treasurer's office, which would have the authority to waive interest on these specific investment loans. The key provision is the Treasurer's ability to eliminate interest charges on funds borrowed to maintain state operations when a budget isn't approved on time. This bill creates a concrete administrative change to how the state handles short-term borrowing costs during budget standoffs.
This bill requires Pennsylvania state agencies to review every program from scratch every five years, starting in 2026. Agencies must justify each program's existence, detail costs for minimum vs. current service levels, and assess impacts if discontinued, except for classroom teaching, curriculum, and direct student services in public schools. The Secretary of the Budget will oversee this process, mandating detailed plans from agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in spending. It aims to replace incremental budgeting with a system that evaluates all programs based on current needs rather than historical spending.
HB 257 updates Pennsylvania laws across multiple transportation and gaming areas. It creates new rules for minor driver licensing (including junior licenses and learners' permits), adds penalties for drug delivery on transit, and allows operating controlled substance injection sites near public transit infrastructure. The bill also adjusts interactive gaming taxes, establishes a new highway funding account for state routes, and defines terms for sustainable mobility programs. These changes directly affect drivers (especially minors), transit operators, gaming businesses, and local transportation authorities.
SB 815 adds an exclusion to Pennsylvania’s state real estate transfer tax for first-time home buyers purchasing single-family residences. It directly affects individuals who have never owned a single-family home (including mobile homes or condos) in Pennsylvania or another state and will reside in the property. The bill defines "first-time home buyer" as someone living in Pennsylvania, domiciled in the home, and without prior ownership of similar properties. This exclusion applies only to the state tax, not local real estate transfer taxes, and takes effect 60 days after enactment. The bill is currently pending in committee.
HB 1334 allocates funding from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Office of Small Business Advocate. It covers expenses for administering the Workers' Compensation Act, Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act, and the Small Business Advocate program for fiscal year 2025-2026, including payments for unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for worker compensation, occupational disease claims, and small business support services. This is a routine appropriations measure to ensure ongoing operations of these programs, not a policy change. The bill was signed into law as Act No. 3A of 2025 on June 27, 2025.
HB 1333 allocates funds from specific state accounts (the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and restricted General Fund revenue) to the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. This funding supports the professional licensure boards responsible for regulating occupations like nursing, engineering, and real estate. The bill provides the necessary budget resources for these boards to operate, including processing applications and enforcing licensing standards. As a funding measure, it directly affects the administrative operations of these boards but does not create new licensing requirements or change eligibility for professionals.
