Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 1141: An Act amending Titles 4 (Amusements), 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in revenues, further providing for taxes and assessments; adding provisions relating to local gaming terminals by providing for general provisions, for administration, for application and licensure, for operation, for enforcement and for revenue; imposing the local gaming terminal tax; establishing the Local Gaming Fund; providing for ethics; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; in Commonwealth services, establishing the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Programs Fund; prescribing penalties; and making appropriations.

HB 1141 establishes a new regulatory framework for local gaming terminals (such as video lottery terminals in bars, clubs, and small businesses) across Pennsylvania. It imposes a 40% tax on terminal gross revenue, a 9% local share assessment, and a regulatory assessment, with all revenue directed to the newly created Local Gaming Fund. The bill sets clear rules for licensing, operator background checks, terminal operation, and real-time auditing via a central control computer, while updating gambling offense laws in Title 18. It also creates a separate Pennsylvania Emergency Management Programs Fund, but the primary focus is on governing local gaming terminals and their tax structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes 40% tax on gaming terminals and directs all revenue to Local Gaming Fund, creating new tax revenue and funding mechanism for state programs.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 572: An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in turnpike, providing for State intercept for unpaid tolls.

SB 572 allows Pennsylvania to use lottery winnings over $2,500 and state tax refunds to pay unpaid Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls. It requires the Department of Revenue to check for toll debt before issuing winnings or refunds, and to deduct the owed amount (including fees/penalties) if found. Affected individuals - those with outstanding turnpike tolls - must be notified, can appeal within 30 days, and the state must report annual collections to lawmakers. The bill does not change toll rates or create new debt but provides a new method for collecting existing unpaid tolls.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses tax refunds/lottery winnings to collect unpaid tolls, promoting fiscal responsibility by ensuring revenue collection without changing tax rates or rates.92% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1219: An Act amending Title 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in boards and offices, providing for information technology; establishing the Office of Information Technology and the Information Technology Fund; providing for administrative and procurement procedures and for the Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee; imposing duties on the Office of Information Technology; providing for administration of Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network; and imposing penalties.

HB 1219 establishes a new Office of Information Technology and an Information Technology Fund to consolidate Pennsylvania state government IT operations. The bill requires all state agencies to follow new procurement rules, including business case reviews and five-year budget limits for significant IT projects, to reduce costs and improve efficiency. It also creates a Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee to strengthen data protection and mandates better cybersecurity practices for all state IT systems. The bill directly affects all Pennsylvania state agencies responsible for managing information technology and cybersecurity.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes five-year budget limits and business case reviews for IT projects to reduce costs and improve efficiency, promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee and mandates stronger cybersecurity practices to protect state data, aligning with data privacy and cybersecurity protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Cybersecurity Data Privacy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 28, 2025

SB 356: An Act amending the act of June 20, 1919 (P.L.521, No.258), referred to as the Transfer Inheritance Tax Law, changing the rate of commission.

SB 356 amends Pennsylvania's 1919 Transfer Inheritance Tax Law to change how county general funds receive a portion of collected inheritance taxes. It replaces the previous tiered commission structure (with rates of 4.25%, 1.75%, and 0.5% for different tax collection ranges) with a flat 4.25% commission rate on all inheritance tax collections. This change directly affects counties, as it alters the percentage of tax revenue they receive from the state's inheritance tax system. The bill does not modify the underlying inheritance tax rates or the tax's scope, only the distribution mechanism for collected funds. The amendment becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill replaces tiered commission with flat 4.25% rate, increasing county revenue from inheritance taxes, directly boosting local government funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 772: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for commuter and commerce toll tax credit.

SB 772 creates a new tax credit for Pennsylvania taxpayers who pay tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and specific bridges operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, Delaware River Port Authority, and Burlington County Bridge Commission. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 50% of their qualifying toll expenses, up to $500 annually, for tolls paid via E-ZPass, cash, or card. The credit applies to individuals and businesses, including pass-through entities like S corporations and partnerships, with unused credits potentially passed to shareholders or owners. The credit becomes available for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 50% tax credit for toll expenses, providing direct tax relief to commuters and businesses, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides tax credit for toll payments on highways/bridges, reducing commuter costs and incentivizing use of transportation infrastructure, aligning with transportation support indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Bridges Ports

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 753: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, establishing the Put Down Roots PA Pilot Program; and providing for duties of Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

Senate Bill 753 establishes the Put Down Roots PA Pilot Program, to be administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). This program offers student loan relief grants to eligible first-time homebuyers in Pennsylvania. To qualify, individuals must purchase a home as their primary residence, have never owned a home in the Commonwealth before, agree to reside there for at least three years, and have an annual household income under $200,000. Grants can be awarded up to $40,000, but cannot exceed the individual's student loan debt or 15% of the home's purchase price. These grant awards are also exempt from state income tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds student loan relief grants via state budget allocation, increasing appropriations for housing assistance under Fiscal Code95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides student loan relief grants to first-time homebuyers with income limits, directly advancing affordable housing access through financial assistance for homeownership.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Homeownership

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 762: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for definitions and for exclusions from tax.

HB 762 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exempt volunteer emergency service organizations from paying state sales and use tax on protective equipment. The bill specifically covers volunteer EMS companies, fire companies, and rescue companies - defined as nonprofit groups providing emergency medical, fire, or rescue services. It excludes purchases like helmets, turnout gear, boots, gloves, and respiratory protection units from taxation when bought for members performing their duties. This tax exemption will apply to sales occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts volunteer emergency services from sales tax on protective gear, providing tax relief for public safety organizations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts tax on EMS protective gear, reducing costs for emergency medical service providers and supporting healthcare delivery infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 15, 2025

HB 1446: An Act authorizing local taxing authorities to provide for tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of certain underutilized property ; establishing the Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 1446 allows local governments to grant tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of vacant or underused properties, directly affecting property owners and developers who redevelop sites like abandoned lots or outdated buildings. It establishes a state-level Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board to advise on eligible projects and guide implementation. The Department of Community and Economic Development is given authority to manage the program, including setting eligibility rules and overseeing tax exemption approvals. The bill aims to incentivize revitalization of neglected properties by reducing financial barriers for redevelopment. This policy change focuses on concrete tax incentives and administrative structure, not speculative economic outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemptions for property redevelopment, offering tax relief to developers and property owners under local authority.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables tax exemptions for redevelopment of underutilized properties, directly encouraging housing development through economic incentives for property owners and developers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Community Development Property Development Property Taxes Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 1805: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in general provisions, providing for deferred payment plan and installment plan penalty, fine and fee freeze.

HB 1805 would freeze penalties, fines, and fees for taxpayers using deferred payment or installment plans under Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971. This means no additional charges would accrue on state tax balances paid through these arrangements during the freeze period. The bill directly affects individuals and businesses that have set up installment or deferred payment agreements for their Pennsylvania tax obligations. It modifies the existing tax code to temporarily halt extra fees without altering the underlying tax amounts owed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes penalties/fines on tax payment plans, providing immediate tax relief to taxpayers using installment/deferred arrangements under PA tax code.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 17, 2025

HB 250: An Act amending the act of November 29, 2004 (P.L.1376, No.178), known as the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act, further providing for Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund.

HB 250 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Fuels Incentive Act to update rebates for residents purchasing alternative fuel vehicles. It provides specific rebates: $3,000 for new electric/hydrogen vehicles, $1,500 for plug-in hybrids, and $1,000 for other qualifying new, pre-owned (under 75,000 miles), or demonstration vehicles (500-10,000 miles) priced at $50,000 or less. Low-income residents (at or below 200% of the federal poverty level) receive an additional $2,000 rebate. Applications must be submitted within six months of purchase, with proof of registration and purchase, and rebates are funded based on annual availability. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania residents buying eligible alternative fuel vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state-funded rebates ($3k-$2k for low-income) through Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund, directly allocating budget resources to promote vehicle adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides rebates for electric/hydrogen vehicles, promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill's incentive structure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides rebates for electric/hydrogen vehicles and low-income residents, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions per Alternative Fuels Incentive Act amendments.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides rebates for alternative fuel vehicles, directly promoting sustainable transportation through financial incentives for EVs, hydrogen, and plug-in hybrids per the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act amendment.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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