Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 9, 2025

HB 2093: An Act amending Title 72 (Taxation and Fiscal Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for unspent appropriations.

HB 2093 requires Pennsylvania state agencies to report unspent budget funds annually to the Auditor General. Specifically, agencies must submit detailed financial data by November 15 each year, and the Auditor General must analyze these reports and submit a comprehensive written report to the legislature by December 30. The report must break down unspent funds by agency and budget line item, summarize totals by fund type, and provide recommendations to prevent waste, inefficiency, or fraud. This applies to all Commonwealth agencies, including departments, boards, universities (like Penn State and Pitt), and entities such as the Gaming Control Board and Turnpike Commission. The bill aims to improve fiscal transparency and accountability for state spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires annual reporting of unspent funds to prevent waste/inefficiency, enhancing fiscal accountability per budget & taxes topic indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 3, 2025

HB 2079: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, establishing the Budget Impasse Reimbursement Program.

HB 2079 establishes a program to reimburse eligible entities - such as school districts, counties, human services providers, Pre-K programs, and Head Start providers - for documented financing costs or lost interest income caused by delays in passing the state budget (defined as the period from July 1, 2025, until the 2025-2026 budget takes effect). The program is funded primarily by "impasse-generated interest" (interest earned from delayed state spending during the budget impasse), with the legislature providing additional funds if needed. The Office of the Budget will administer the program, including processing applications and reporting annually on reimbursements, funding sources, and recipient details.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReimburses entities for budget delay costs using impasse-generated interest, promoting fiscal responsibility by mitigating financial impacts of delayed appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReimburses school districts, Pre-K, and Head Start programs for budget delay costs, directly funding education entities affected by fiscal impasses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Early Childhood

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 12, 2025

HB 416: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program; in 911 Emergency Communication Services, further providing for surcharge; in Department of Revenue, further providing for exclusion from classes of income and providing for research and experimental expenditures and qualified production property, for report to General Assembly and for interest expense; in joint underwriting association, further providing for findings and for definitions, repealing provisions relating to sunset and providing for risk-based capital certification, for fund transfers, for association oversight and additional duties, for Joint Underwriting Association Board, for board meetings, for construction, for dissolution, for appropriations and for reports and hearings; in State Health Insurance Exchange Affordability Program, further providing for Exchange Affordability Assistance Account; providing for Rural Health Transformation Program; in Treasury Department, providing for waiver of interest, costs and fees; in procedure for disbursement of money from the State Treasury, further providing for use and appropriation of unused Commonwealth funds; in oil and gas wells, further providing for Oil and Gas Lease Fund; providing for advanced air mobility sites and for public transportation vehicles; in human services, further providing for resident care and related costs; in Attorney General, providing for home improvement contractor registration fee; providing for Rare Disease Advisory Council, for affordable housing tax credit and for working Pennsylvanians tax credit; in additional keystone opportunity expansion zones, providing for additional keystone opportunity expansion zones for certain counties of the fourth class; providing for additional extensions of keystone opportunity zones; in special funds, further providing for funding, for expiration and for other grants; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, further providing for establishment of special fund and account, for use of fund and for distributions from Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund and providing for refund of 2003 assessment by Insurance Department; in additional special funds and restricted accounts relating to Service and Infrastructure Improvement Fund, further providing for deposits and providing for Property Tax Relief Fund; in general budget implementation, further providing Executive Offices, for Department of Community and Economic Development, for Department of Environmental Protection, for Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and for Commonwealth Financing Authority, providing for stenography services, further providing for surcharges, for Federal and Commonwealth use of forest land and for Multimodal Transportation Fund and providing for State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, for interest transfers, for fund transfers and for miscellaneous provisions; in 2024-2025 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Education, for Department of Environmental Protection and for Department of Human Services; in Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program, further providing for scope of article, for definitions and for the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program, providing for review and determination of specific permits and for State agency permits and further providing for construction; providing for electricity load forecast accountability, for 2025-2026 budget implementation and for 2025-2026 restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; making repeals; and making editorial changes.

HB 416 establishes a new Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program to support early childhood educators and creates a Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access in underserved areas. It also streamlines permit processes for economic development projects through the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program. These provisions are integrated into the 2025 state budget implementation, alongside administrative updates to tax collection procedures, state fund management, and reporting requirements for agencies like the Department of Revenue and Treasury. The bill does not alter existing tax rates or create new funding streams but modifies how current state financial systems operate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill funds essential programs (Child Care, Rural Health) and provides tax credits (affordable housing, working Pennsylvanians), supporting budget allocation and tax relief.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access in underserved areas, directly advancing healthcare services and access.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes 'affordable housing tax credit' as a direct funding mechanism for affordable housing programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly mentions 'public transportation vehicles' and 'advanced air mobility sites' in title, directly supporting transportation infrastructure expansion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Property Tax State Budget Insurance Substance Abuse Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes Vehicle Registration

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 614: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for primary care workforce initiative; and making an appropriation.

SB 614 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to establish a state-funded initiative supporting workforce development for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which are community health centers serving rural and underserved areas. The bill directly affects FQHCs by providing funding to recruit and retain primary care staff, addressing documented shortages in these facilities. Key provisions include creating a dedicated funding stream within the state budget specifically for FQHC workforce expansion, with appropriations to cover hiring and training costs. This policy change aims to strengthen primary care access in communities with limited healthcare resources through targeted financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state appropriation for FQHC workforce development, directly increasing budgeted spending on essential healthcare services for underserved communities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds FQHC workforce development to address staff shortages in community health centers serving underserved areas, directly strengthening primary care access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds recruitment/retention for FQHC primary care staff, directly addressing workforce shortages in underserved healthcare settings, advancing employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Primary Care Workforce Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 286: An Act making appropriations from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

SB 286 provides $95.3 million in state funds and specific federal funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for its 2025-2026 operations. It allocates state funds for the PUC’s general salaries and administration, plus $4.7 million for natural gas pipeline safety enforcement, $500,000 for motor carrier safety, and $2.5 million for an energy transmission program under the Inflation Reduction Act. The bill ensures these federal funds cannot be reimbursed to utility companies. It directly affects the PUC’s ability to regulate utilities and enforce safety rules during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $95.3M in state/federal funds to PUC for operations, safety enforcement, and energy programs, strengthening public utility oversight funding within state budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates $2.5M for energy transmission program under Inflation Reduction Act, directly funding clean energy infrastructure as part of federal climate initiative.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $2.5M for Inflation Reduction Act energy transmission program and $4.7M for natural gas pipeline safety, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $500K for motor carrier safety (vehicle regulations) and $4.7M for pipeline safety, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Utility Regulation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 168: An Act making appropriations from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Senate Bill 168 proposes to allocate funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for its operations during the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The bill appropriates $88,386,000 in state funds for the PUC's general expenses, including salaries and the Bureau of Safety and Enforcement. Additionally, it designates $7,716,000 in federal augmentation funds for specific programs such as Natural Gas Pipeline Safety, Motor Carrier Safety, and the IRA - Transmission Siting Program. These appropriations aim to ensure the PUC has the necessary resources to carry out its regulatory functions and enforce safety standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $88M state and $7.7M federal funds to PUC for operations/safety programs, directly funding public utility regulation under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates federal funds for IRA - Transmission Siting, supporting clean energy infrastructure and renewable energy development through PUC programs.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $88M state + $7.7M federal funds to PUC for Motor Carrier Safety and pipeline safety programs, directly enhancing transportation safety infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Utility Regulation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 455: An Act providing for grants to organizations that host or offer education, workforce training or skills development to young adults; establishing the Building a Better Future Grant Program; imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and making an appropriation.

HB 455 establishes Pennsylvania's "Building a Better Future Grant Program" to fund organizations providing education and workforce training to young adults aged 16-24 who are disconnected from education. The program targets organizations serving youth from low-income backgrounds with specific vulnerabilities (e.g., foster care, disability, homelessness, or school dropout) and requires grantees to offer at least two services like job training, career counseling, or high school equivalency support. The Department of Labor and Industry will administer $5 million in state funding (from the General Fund) to award grants of up to $1 million per organization, with 5% reserved for statewide technical assistance. This directly affects eligible young adults and qualifying local organizations focused on construction, healthcare, and other in-demand vocational fields.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state appropriation for youth workforce training grants, explicitly increasing public funding for essential services targeting vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program funding education/workforce training for underserved youth (16-24), expanding access and support for disconnected students.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes grants for youth workforce training and education, directly advancing employment opportunities for vulnerable populations through skills development programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget K-12 Education Apprenticeships Child Labor Workforce Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 12, 2025

HB 2025: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, providing for reimbursements for borrowing costs during budget impasse; and establishing the School District Impasse Recovery Fund.

HB 2025 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to address financial strain on school districts during budget disputes with the state. It requires the Commonwealth to reimburse school districts for costs incurred when borrowing money to cover operating expenses during a budget impasse. The bill establishes a new "School District Impasse Recovery Fund" to manage these reimbursements. This directly affects school districts facing funding delays and the state budget office responsible for disbursing funds. The provision creates a concrete mechanism for financial relief during budget standoffs, without altering existing funding formulas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires state reimbursement for school district borrowing during budget disputes, ensuring continued public education funding without district debt or fiscal strain.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requires Commonwealth reimbursement for school district borrowing costs during budget impasse, preventing financial strain and ensuring stable school funding. Directly advances district financial stability through the new Recovery Fund.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 700: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in general budget implementation, further providing for Department of Human Services.

HB 700 creates a new, non-lapsing "Home and Community-Based Services for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Augmentation Account" within Pennsylvania's General Fund. It directs funds from the sale of former state centers for intellectual disabilities, annual transfers from the General Fund (based on prior-year funding levels), and operational cost savings from closed centers into this account. The money must be used by the Department of Human Services to provide home and community-based supports, housing assistance, and emergency waiting list services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This bill directly affects people with intellectual disabilities receiving these services and the Department of Human Services managing the funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated non-lapsing fund within General Fund for intellectual disability services, directing multiple revenue streams toward this public service program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 161: An Act making appropriations from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and from restricted receipts accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in support of the professional licensure boards assigned thereto.

SB 161 allocates funds to support the operations of several professional licensing boards and commissions in Pennsylvania for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025. It provides $72,812,000 from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account to the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, which oversees various professional licenses. Additionally, the bill earmarks specific amounts from dedicated accounts for the State Board of Medicine, State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, State Board of Podiatry, and the State Athletic Commission. These funds are intended to cover the operational costs of these bodies, which regulate professionals in their respective fields.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $72.8M from dedicated accounts to fund professional licensing boards' operations, advancing state budget appropriations for essential government services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds State Board of Medicine licensing board, supporting medical professionals' regulatory process essential for healthcare delivery.80% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medical Licensing

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