SB 1174 is Pennsylvania's capital budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, allocating over $32 billion for public infrastructure projects across state agencies. It directly affects agencies like the Department of Agriculture (funding Penn State research facilities and animal labs), Environmental Protection (flood control), and the Fish and Boat Commission, by authorizing debt financing for construction, renovations, and equipment. The bill itemizes specific projects - such as a $50 million plant science facility at Penn State and a $25 million equine lab - with total funding split across categories including public improvements ($32.3B), furniture/equipment ($917M), and transportation ($2.6B). It also permits using current revenue for certain projects, like the Manufacturing Fund ($10M for Department of Corrections facilities), without voter approval for debt.
HB 2099 establishes a new Delayed Payment Plan Program to help eligible Pennsylvania residents attend specific colleges by covering tuition costs in exchange for paying a portion of their future income. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), requires students to agree to remain in Pennsylvania for 10 years after graduation (or until tuition is repaid) and study in high-need fields. It uses a dedicated fund financed by state appropriations, private donations, and income payments from participants, with administrative costs capped at $400,000 in the first year. Initially targeting 15 community colleges and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology for the 2025-2026 academic year, it may expand to other state institutions starting in 2026-2027.
HB 2129 repeals an existing provision about the expiration of unconventional gas well fees and establishes a new severance tax on natural gas extracted from unconventional gas wells. The tax applies to producers (companies or individuals extracting natural gas) starting July 1 of the year after the bill's effective date, calculated using base and additional tax rates. It creates a new tax administration framework in Chapter 43 of Pennsylvania's oil and gas statutes, including penalties for non-compliance. The bill explicitly states this new tax does not affect the existing collection and distribution of the unconventional gas well fee.
HB 2153 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to redirect property tax revenue from data centers toward tax relief for homeowners and farmers. It defines "data center" as facilities primarily housing AI infrastructure (including servers, power systems, and AI equipment) and requires school districts to use all revenue from data center property taxes to fund homestead and farmstead tax exclusions. In the first fiscal year data center taxes are fully collected, all revenue must cover these exclusions; in subsequent years, the amount equals the first year's revenue. School districts must itemize these exclusions on tax bills, showing the original tax, exclusion amount, and final payment. This directly affects school districts collecting data center taxes and homeowners/farmers receiving reduced tax bills.
HB 2169 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to update terminology in funding provisions for special education schools. It replaces references to "approved private school" with "approved special education school" in Section 1923(5), which governs how funds from the Public School Code (Section 2509.8) are allocated. The bill directly affects approved special education schools with day tuition under $32,000, requiring funding to be no less than 175% of the 2015-2016 allocation. This is a technical correction to align statutory language with current educational terminology, with no change to the underlying funding mechanism or eligibility criteria.
HB 2184 amends Pennsylvania's public utilities law to define "public interest" and require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to consider eight specific factors when making utility decisions. These factors include residential rate affordability, energy strategy (renewables, distributed generation, energy efficiency), grid modernization, environmental protection, economic growth (jobs, tax revenue), reliability, and environmental justice. The bill updates existing provisions about "just and reasonable" rates (Section 1301), mandatory 60-day notice for rate changes (Section 1308), and complaint-based rate investigations (Section 1309). It directly affects all utility companies operating in Pennsylvania and the PUC, which must now document how decisions align with these public interest factors. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 2116 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to provide additional property tax relief for low-income senior citizens. It creates a 50% supplemental rebate on top of existing property tax rebates for seniors with household income ≤ $30,000 who live in cities other than first-class cities (e.g., Philadelphia), school districts, or second-class A cities. The bill changes income calculation by allowing property taxes paid on primary residences to reduce taxable income, and updates rebate schedules with annual inflation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. These changes directly affect seniors aged 65+ with low fixed incomes who qualify for base property tax or rent rebates.
HB 2149 establishes a grant program to help Pennsylvania public schools teach students in grades 6-12 executive functioning and study skills, such as time management, stress reduction, and note-taking. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will administer annual grants for schools to implement evidence-based programs during or after school hours, focusing on skills like goal setting, organization, and memory techniques. Schools must apply yearly by December 15 with detailed plans on fund usage, and grants must supplement - never replace - existing school budgets. The Department will review applications, disburse funds, and monitor compliance to ensure proper use of resources.
This Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 382) urges Congress to extend expanded health insurance subsidies that currently help Pennsylvanians purchase coverage through Pennie, the state's health insurance marketplace. Without extension, these subsidies expire December 31, 2025, causing average premium increases of 102% for Pennie customers - projected to push 150,000 people to lose coverage. The resolution highlights that without the expanded credits, a couple earning $85,000 annually would pay $25,776 yearly for insurance (31% of their income), compared to lower costs under current subsidies. It cites Pennie's 2025 enrollment of nearly 500,000 customers and a 16% drop in new sign-ups since Open Enrollment 2026 as evidence of the need for continued support. The resolution has no legal force but requests congressional action to maintain affordability.
HB 2144 amends Pennsylvania's fuel tax definition in Title 75 to set specific average wholesale prices for taxable liquid fuels. It establishes fixed price tiers: $1.87 per gallon for 2014, $2.49 per gallon for 2015-2016, and $2.99 per gallon starting in 2017 (with future adjustments based on Department of Revenue data). This directly affects fuel retailers and consumers by determining the base price used to calculate state fuel taxes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
