This bill introduces two main changes to Pennsylvania law: it exempts gun safes and gun locks from sales and use tax, and it creates a new criminal offense for failing to securely store firearms. Under the new provisions, firearm owners must keep their weapons locked in a designated safe or with a locking device when not in use, with stricter penalties if a minor or unauthorized person is likely to be present. The legislation also establishes civil liability for owners whose unsecured firearms cause injury or property damage and requires retailers to post notices about secure storage laws. Additionally, the bill clarifies that gun cabinets do not qualify as gun safes and defines specific terms like "securely store" and "unauthorized user" to guide enforcement.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to create a Small Business Opportunity Program within Neighborhood Improvement Zones. It directs that any excess funds remaining in these zones after required payments must be used to satisfy debts and obligations before 25% of the baseline tax revenue is transferred to a dedicated fund for small business grants. To qualify for these grants, a business must be classified as a small business, employ at least one full-time worker for 35 hours a week, and have filed all required state tax returns. The program aims to encourage entrepreneurship and job creation by providing financial support to eligible local businesses, while also requiring contracting authorities to submit annual reports on the number of participating businesses, total incentives awarded, and jobs created.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax code to clarify that certain educational savings distributions are not taxable. Specifically, it ensures that withdrawals from qualified tuition programs rolled over into a Roth IRA remain exempt from state taxation, aligning state rules with federal tax exemptions. The change directly affects Pennsylvania residents who utilize these specific financial vehicles for education savings. By updating the Tax Reform Code, the legislation provides clear guidance on which income classes are excluded from state tax liability.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's tax laws to increase the maximum annual historic preservation tax credit available to a single property owner from $500,000 to $1,500,000. The change directly affects qualified taxpayers who restore or rehabilitate historic buildings, allowing them to claim a larger tax credit against their state taxes. The Department of Community and Economic Development is responsible for reviewing and approving these credit certificates under the new limit. The legislation takes effect 60 days after it is signed into law.
This bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to create a grant program designed to help healthcare providers and facilities run education campaigns about prostate cancer and general prostate health. The Department of Health will manage the program by accepting applications from eligible local healthcare entities and awarding grants ranging from $1,000 to $30,000 to fund the creation and distribution of educational materials. A dedicated fund will be established in the State Treasury to hold money from the General Assembly, donations, and grants, with any leftover funds staying in the program rather than returning to the general state budget. Additionally, the Department of Health is required to submit annual reports to the General Assembly detailing how many grants were awarded, the total amounts involved, and a summary of the educational activities carried out by the recipients.
This bill amends Pennsylvania law to allow second-class counties to impose a 5% excise tax on hotel room rentals and creates a specific revitalization plan for downtown Pittsburgh. The legislation establishes a new Downtown Development Authority and a dedicated Downtown Revitalization Fund to support public projects that improve civic, cultural, and tourism facilities in the area. Revenue generated from the increased hotel tax will be used to fund these downtown improvement initiatives, aiming to boost local economic activity and infrastructure.
This bill establishes the Firefighter Cancer Screening Program and a dedicated fund to help Pennsylvania firefighters cover out-of-pocket costs for cancer screenings. The program is administered by the Insurance Department and specifically targets eligible firefighters, including those in airport fire companies that meet certain mutual aid and response criteria. Funding for these screenings will come from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, which the bill modifies to allow for this specific expenditure. The legislation defines eligible participants and approved screening methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound, while excluding those who already have comprehensive health insurance coverage.
SB 1391 allows second-class and second-class A counties in Pennsylvania to impose a tax on hotel room rentals. The bill outlines how the collected funds must be split, directing a portion to tourist promotion agencies, a share to municipalities with convention centers for local visitor marketing, and a fee to the county for collection costs. Any remaining revenue is designated for the operational and maintenance expenses of local convention centers or exhibition halls. Additionally, the law establishes a specific priority order for distributing funds if a county issues bonds to finance capital improvements to these facilities.
Senate Bill 1337 modifies the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act to clarify how the state funds water quality projects. The bill specifically allows financial assistance for projects that align with the state's Nonpoint Source Management Program but explicitly prohibits using these funds to refinance existing projects. To support these changes, the legislation removes several outdated regulations that previously defined eligible costs and funding limits. The bill takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.
This bill modifies how Pennsylvania distributes fees collected from unconventional gas wells, specifically directing 25% of those funds to a state account for bridge improvements. The legislation allows counties and municipalities to use these monies to repair or upgrade bridges regardless of whether they qualify for federal funding assistance. Additionally, it permits larger counties to allocate these funds toward improving bridges owned by public transportation authorities. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.
