HB 2170 creates a new employer blood donation tax credit in Pennsylvania. It allows employers who provide paid time off for employees to donate blood at nonprofit-organized blood drives to claim a $20 tax credit per verified donation. The credit applies to tax years 2025 through 2029 and can be used against state income tax, but it cannot reduce tax below zero and is capped at $500,000 total annually. This policy directly affects employers who partner with nonprofit blood banks to host blood drives for their employees.
This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to audit the state's medical assistance programs (including Medicaid) within 18 months. The audit must examine actuarial standards, whether past federal audit recommendations were adopted (like those from 2017 and 2024), and analyze high-risk areas for potential fraud. It requires the committee to report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, focusing on program efficiency, cost savings, and fraud prevention. The resolution directly affects state agencies providing medical assistance and the committee conducting the audit.
SB 1087 creates a mileage-based road user charge for electric vehicles (EVs) in Pennsylvania, replacing the current gas tax for EVs. It specifically exempts military personnel on active duty stationed outside Pennsylvania from this charge during their overseas assignment. The bill also establishes a refund process for EV owners who qualify for the military exemption, allowing them to apply for reimbursement of charges paid during their eligible overseas duty period. This policy directly affects EV owners who are military members stationed out of state, adjusting their tax obligations based on residency during service.
HB 2084 establishes the Pennsylvania Promise Program, providing scholarships for tuition, fees, and room and board to eligible Pennsylvania residents attending college. It directly affects two groups: students under 24 (or active military) who must be Pennsylvania residents, have a high school diploma, and complete the FAFSA; and adult learners 24 or older seeking reeducation with similar requirements. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency administers the program and a dedicated fund, covering tuition up to the state's maximum in-state rate and room and board based on agency standards. The program applies to community colleges, state-owned institutions, state-related universities, and Thaddeus Stevens College.
HB 2110 repeals existing restrictions on using public funds for abortions under Pennsylvania's Human Services Code. It removes Section 453, which previously limited state/local government funding for abortions except in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest (with reporting requirements). The bill also abrogates a related regulation (55 Pa. Code § 1163.62(a)). This change directly affects public assistance programs and healthcare providers receiving state funds, eliminating the prior legal barriers to funding abortion services. The policy shift removes specific restrictions but does not establish new funding rules for public assistance programs.
This bill creates a specialty license plate for Pennsylvania vehicles featuring a jazz-themed design (saxophone, f-hole, trombone on black background) and establishes the Jazz Foundation of America Fund. Vehicle owners who pay a $62 fee (in addition to standard registration) for the plate will contribute $32 per plate to the new fund. The fund will provide grants to nonprofits supporting jazz and blues musicians in Pennsylvania, specifically for financial assistance and performance opportunities within the state. The bill directly affects vehicle owners seeking the specialty plate and benefits local jazz/blues musicians through grant funding.
HB 2127 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to adjust tax credit rules for waterfront development projects. It increases the maximum tax credit for businesses from 75% to 90% of their contribution and doubles the annual cap on total credits from $5 million to $10 million. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to review applications and renewals from waterfront development organizations within 60 days and limits contributions used for future maintenance to no more than 15%. These changes directly affect businesses contributing to waterfront development projects and the organizations managing these projects.
HB 2091 requires Pennsylvania state agencies to submit detailed pre-acceptance reports to the Governor, General Assembly, Auditor General, and other oversight bodies before taking federal funds. These reports must include program details, performance goals, funding timelines, cost breakdowns (personnel, maintenance, etc.), and analysis of how federal requirements impact state operations. Agencies must also establish a public transparency portal showing daily federal spending and use federal funds to offset existing state costs - rather than creating new programs - while ensuring no budget deficit if federal funding ends. The bill mandates quarterly updates to oversight bodies and requires reporting of fraud to state and federal agencies like the Attorney General and U.S. Inspector General.
SB 1102 creates a reimbursement program for Pennsylvania entities affected by a specific budget impasse period (July 1-November 12, 2025). It provides grants to eligible school districts, counties, human services providers, and other Commonwealth-funded organizations that received 2024-2025 fiscal year funding directly from the state. Eligible entities may receive reimbursement for documented financing costs or lost interest earnings directly tied to the budget delay. The Office of the Budget administers the program, with applications due within 90 days of the bill’s effective date, using funds from a newly established restricted account.
SB 1106 amends Pennsylvania's PA EDGE tax credit program to clarify eligibility for companies building specific facilities. It defines a "project facility" as either a petrochemical or fertilizer plant using dry natural gas with a $400 million minimum investment or a power generation facility that adds to the grid. To qualify, a company must invest $400 million, create 800 new permanent jobs, pay prevailing wages, and make good-faith efforts to recruit local workers during construction. The tax credits will apply to dry natural gas purchases from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2052, expiring at the end of 2052.
