SB 180 replaces Pennsylvania's existing school lunch and breakfast reimbursement system with a Universal School Meal Program, requiring all public schools to provide meals to any student who requests one, regardless of their ability to pay or outstanding meal debt. The bill prohibits schools from stigmatizing students (e.g., via wristbands), denying activities or diplomas for unpaid meals, using collections agencies, or imposing penalties like interest or suspensions for meal debt. It also mandates schools to offer assistance with meal program applications to families in debt and directs communications about unpaid meals to parents/guardians instead of students. The program is funded through a new Universal School Meal Fund and an interfund transfer, eliminating the previous reimbursement structure.
HB 1409 repeals Pennsylvania's 1937 Store and Theatre Tax Act, which required stores and theatres to pay an annual license fee to operate. The repealed law imposed a minimal tax (ranging from $1 for the first location to $200 for additional locations beyond 15) based on the number of businesses operated. This bill eliminates the requirement for businesses to pay this outdated tax and obtain a specific license under the 1937 law. The repeal directly affects store and theatre owners who were subject to this obsolete tax, which has been in place for over 80 years with no modern relevance.
HB 1335 provides $500,000 in funding from a restricted revenue account within the state’s General Fund to the Office of Small Business Advocate. This appropriation directly supports the office’s work assisting small businesses with navigating state regulations and accessing resources. The bill, now law as Act No. 4A of 2025, creates no new policies but allocates specific funds for the office’s existing operations.
SB 281 is a funding bill that allocates $43.2 million from the State Employees' Retirement Fund and $4.8 million from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund to cover the operational costs of Pennsylvania's State Employees' Retirement Board for fiscal year 2025-2026. It specifically funds salaries, travel, contractual services, and other expenses necessary for the board to conduct its duties, including paying unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year. This bill does not change retirement benefits or policies - it only provides budgetary support for the board's administrative functions. The funds are designated solely for the board's operations, not for direct payments to retirees.
Senate Bill 742 would allow Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to contract with a private vendor for the design, marketing, and sale of custom registration plates. Vehicle owners would be able to purchase these vendor-designed plates online for motorcycles, passenger cars, or light trucks. The bill establishes fees for these plates, with a portion of the revenue supporting the Pennsylvania State Police Traffic Safety Enhancement Restricted Account. This account would fund equipment and supplies for the Pennsylvania State Police to enhance traffic safety efforts. PennDOT would be responsible for approving plate designs to ensure they meet reflectivity and readability standards.
HB 745 amends Pennsylvania's hunting and trapping license rules to allow nonresidents who own property in the state to qualify for resident license rates. The bill defines a nonresident as a "resident" for licensing purposes if they paid Pennsylvania property taxes during the current or prior licensing season and can prove this payment to the state commission. This change directly affects nonresident property owners who currently pay higher nonresident fees to hunt or trap in Pennsylvania. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment, updating eligibility under Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
HB 22 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to clarify the definition of "compensation" for personal income tax purposes. It specifically adds exclusions to what counts as taxable compensation, such as certain disability payments, retirement benefits, public assistance, foster care payments, and National Guard service income. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania taxpayers and employers who must apply these definitions when calculating income tax liability. The bill does not alter tax rates but provides clearer guidance on which income types are taxable under state law.
HB 702 amends the definition of "claimant" in Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify eligibility for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate assistance. The bill specifies three qualifying categories: individuals aged 65 or older (or with a spouse aged 65+), widows or widowers aged 50 or older, and permanently disabled persons aged 18 or older during the tax year. This change directly affects seniors, widows/widowers, and disabled residents applying for the rebate program by providing clearer eligibility standards. The amendment updates existing definitions without creating new benefits or altering funding. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
SB 288 is a funding bill that allocates money from Pennsylvania's gaming-related revenue accounts to state agencies for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It directs funds from the State Gaming Fund, Fantasy Contest Fund, and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. These funds cover salaries and expenses related to overseeing gaming regulations under existing law (4 Pa.C.S. Sections II and I), including oversight of slot machines, fantasy contests, and video gaming. The bill also includes payment for bills incurred but unpaid as of June 30, 2025. It does not create new policies but provides budgetary support for current gaming oversight responsibilities.
SB 750 modifies Pennsylvania's inheritance tax rates for property transferred to siblings, gradually lowering the tax from 12% to 0% over time. The bill reduces the rate annually, starting at 12% for deaths before July 2026, decreasing to 11% in 2026-2027, and reaching 0% for deaths on or after July 2033. This directly affects individuals inheriting property from a sibling in Pennsylvania. The change is structured as a phased reduction in the tax rate over several years, with no tax applied after 2033.
