Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 16, 2026

HB 2193: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for deer processor's tax credit.

HB 2193 creates a $100 tax credit per deer processed for Pennsylvania deer processors who donate all consumable venison from a single deer to an approved food charity (like those meeting requirements under the Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act). Processors must retain Pennsylvania Game Commission ear tags as proof and submit applications by September 15 for the prior year. The credit is limited to $5,000 per taxpayer annually and $200,000 total statewide each year, with unused credits potentially carried over for up to 15 years. This directly affects deer processors who donate meat to qualifying charities, providing a financial incentive for their donation services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $100 tax credit per deer processed for venison donations to food charities, providing tax relief while supporting public service via charitable giving.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 1199: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in gross receipts tax, further providing for imposition of tax.

SB 1199 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to impose a 50-mill tax (45 mills base plus 5 mills surtax) on gross receipts from digital advertising services displayed to users on digital interfaces within Pennsylvania. It directly affects companies providing digital advertising - such as social media, search engines, and banner ad platforms - that target users located in the state. The tax applies to advertising services utilizing user personal information, including banner ads, search engine ads, and interstitial ads, but exempts broadcast and news media entities. Key provisions define "digital interface" as websites or apps accessible to users and specify that the tax applies when ads are displayed to users within Pennsylvania, not just when the company is based here. This creates a new revenue stream for the state targeting digital ad revenue generated from Pennsylvania residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new 50-mill tax on digital ad companies, generating state revenue to strengthen budget through direct tax imposition on targeted services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2201: 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 providing for physical health improvement tax credit.

HB 2201 creates a new tax credit for Pennsylvania residents who pay qualified fitness expenses, such as gym memberships or in-person exercise classes at eligible facilities. It defines "qualified sports and fitness expenses" to exclude virtual instruction (unless live), books, and one-on-one training, and specifies that fitness facilities must not offer golf/hunting/sailing and must comply with anti-discrimination laws. The credit allows single filers to claim up to $500 and joint filers up to $1,000 annually, but it is non-refundable and cannot be carried forward to future tax years. This provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, directly affecting residents who incur qualifying physical health-related expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new tax credit for fitness expenses, providing direct tax relief to residents under personal income tax code, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 2188: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for exemptions and special provisions.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand Pennsylvania's property tax exemption for veterans. It would extend the exemption to veterans with a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or equivalent federal program), including those unable to work due to service-connected disabilities. The exemption would also cover unmarried surviving spouses of eligible veterans, including those whose spouses died in action, as POWs, or were declared missing in action. Local governments could choose to offer partial tax exemptions to veterans with lower disability ratings. The amendment requires voter approval after legislative passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemptions for veterans and surviving spouses, providing tax relief which aligns with supporting fiscal policies for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax exemption to include 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses, strengthening financial benefits for veterans per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1165: An Act making appropriations from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund and from the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund to provide for expenses of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

This bill (SB 1165) provides funding for Pennsylvania's Public School Employees' Retirement Board (PSERS) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It appropriates $65.5 million from the main Public School Employees' Retirement Fund to cover the board's general operating expenses, including salaries, travel, and contractual services. Additionally, it allocates $1.5 million from the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund specifically for administering the School Employees' Defined Contribution Plan. The funds will also pay any unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year ending June 2026. This is a procedural funding bill affecting only the PSERS Board's budget operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $65.5M from retirement funds to cover PSERS board operations, ensuring continued funding for public employee retirement program within state budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1162: An Act making appropriations from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development to provide for the expenses of administering the Workers' Compensation Act, The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act and the Office of Small Business Advocate for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

SB 1162 allocates $81.3 million from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry for administering Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act and Occupational Disease Act during fiscal year 2026-2027. It also provides $550,000 to the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Department of Community and Economic Development for its operations during the same period. The bill covers both current-year expenses and payment of unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year ending June 2026. This is a funding measure with no policy changes beyond budget allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $81.3M from existing fund to administer workers' comp and small business programs, funding essential state operations per budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates $81.3M to administer Workers' Compensation and Occupational Disease Acts, directly funding protections for workers' rights and benefits under existing labor laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 2213: An Act providing for skill video gaming; imposing duties on the Department of Revenue; providing for issuance of licenses for skill video gaming; imposing a fee and criminal and civil penalties; and providing for zoning.

HB 2213 establishes a regulatory framework for "skill video gaming" in Pennsylvania, directly affecting businesses that operate or distribute gaming systems. The bill requires licenses from the Department of Revenue for operators, distributors, and establishments, imposes fees, and mandates a central reporting system to track transactions like "coin in/out" and jackpots. Key provisions include banning access for people under 18, prohibiting "miniature casinos," requiring security measures for players, and creating criminal penalties for operating unlicensed systems or distributing to minors. It aims to eliminate illegal gambling devices disguised as skill-based games while leveraging the State Lottery's existing experience in retail gaming oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes licensing fees and duties on skill video gaming operators, creating new state revenue through Department of Revenue collection.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2202: An Act amending the act of June 27, 2006 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1), known as the Taxpayer Relief Act, in senior citizens property tax and rent rebate assistance, further providing for definitions and for proof of claim.

HB 2202 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to adjust how senior citizens calculate household income for property tax and rent rebates. It changes the definition of "household income" to allow seniors to subtract annual utility expenses (water, sewer, electric, natural gas) from their income when applying. The bill also requires applicants to submit copies of their utility bills as part of their rebate claim. This directly affects Pennsylvania seniors who claim property tax or rent rebates under the Taxpayer Relief Act. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends rebate calculation to include utility deductions, providing direct tax relief to seniors by lowering taxable income for eligibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows seniors to deduct utility costs from income for property tax/rent rebates, increasing affordability for low-income seniors under housing assistance program.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters Tags Seniors

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2235: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for Pennsylvania firefighter and emergency medical service provider recruitment and retention tax credit.

HB 2235 creates a nonrefundable Pennsylvania tax credit of up to $6,000 annually for qualified firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) providers. It directly affects individuals who are active volunteers or employees of career/volunteer fire companies, EMS companies, or rescue services as defined under Pennsylvania law. The credit applies to the year a person becomes qualified plus the next five consecutive tax years (2027-2031), and must be claimed on tax returns with proof of eligibility. The credit expires December 31, 2037, and cannot be carried over, sold, or transferred.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for firefighters/EMS, reducing their tax burden, aligning with tax relief for public service workers.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax credit for EMS providers (healthcare workers) to improve recruitment/retention, directly strengthening healthcare workforce stability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1163: An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Small Business Advocate in the Department of Community and Economic Development.

SB 1163 provides $2,235,000 in funding from a restricted revenue account to the Office of Small Business Advocate within Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development. The bill allocates these funds specifically to cover the office's operational costs for the fiscal year 2026-2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027). This funding supports the office's existing role in assisting small businesses, though it does not create new programs or change current policies. The appropriation is a routine budgetary action, directly affecting the office's ability to function during the specified period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2.2M from restricted revenue to fund small business advocate operations, strengthening existing public service funding without tax changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Tags Small Business

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