Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 394: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in incentives for municipal volunteers of fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical services agencies, further providing for limitations.

HB 394 modifies Pennsylvania's existing tax credit program for municipal fire and emergency medical services volunteers. It allows the tax credit to offset current and future state tax liabilities, and requires municipalities to establish an alternative benefit (like a cash payment) for volunteers who owe no state tax. The credit remains in effect until the local government repeals it. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies tax credit program to allow offsetting tax liabilities, providing tax relief for municipal volunteers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 32: An Act amending the act of June 27, 2006 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1), known as the Taxpayer Relief Act, in senior citizens property tax and rent rebate assistance, further providing for definitions.

HB 32 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify income definitions for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate programs. It specifically adds a temporary exception: seniors who were already eligible for rebates as of December 31, 2012, may retain eligibility if their household income limit is exceeded solely due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). This exception applies only to income increases from Social Security COLAs, not other income sources, and expires on December 31, 2016. The change directly affects seniors whose rebate eligibility was previously jeopardized by automatic Social Security payment increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies income definitions to maintain senior rebate eligibility, preventing loss of tax relief due to Social Security COLAs, aligning with tax relief for lower-income seniors.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends senior housing rebate program to maintain eligibility for income increases from Social Security COLAs, protecting housing affordability for seniors without restricting access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1073: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for shelter animal adoption tax credit; and establishing the Shelter Animal Adoption Tax Credit Program.

This bill creates a $100 tax credit for Pennsylvania taxpayers who adopt cats or dogs from animal shelters, humane societies, or rescue organizations. The credit applies to state income taxes, with a maximum annual benefit of $300 (covering up to three adopted animals). To claim the credit, taxpayers must submit proof of spaying/neutering and adoption during the tax year. The program directly affects individuals adopting shelter animals, aiming to incentivize pet adoption through tax relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $100 tax credit for shelter pet adoptions, reducing state tax liability for eligible individuals, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income taxpayers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 636: 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 exclusions from tax.

SB 636 would exempt sales tax on items and services related to guide, hearing, and service dogs in Pennsylvania. It directly affects disabled individuals and their caregivers by removing sales tax on veterinary care, medications, dog-specific supplies (like beds, collars, food), and maintenance services (such as grooming and boarding). The bill requires sellers to verify transactions involve a qualifying dog and either a disabled person or their representative. It amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to create this specific exemption, pending final legislative approval. The bill is currently pending in the Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on service dog items, providing tax relief for disabled individuals and caregivers per bill's explicit tax exclusion provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 170: An Act providing for funding for certain State-aided universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

SB 170 provides funding for five Pennsylvania state-aided universities (Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Temple, Lincoln, and the University of Pennsylvania) for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It requires monthly payments based on estimated costs, mandates detailed expenditure reports to the state, and gives the Auditor General authority to review spending and disallow improper uses. Specific restrictions include banning University of Pittsburgh funds for environmental law clinic costs and requiring University of Pennsylvania to maintain certain board appointment conditions. The bill also sets financial reporting standards and allocates specific sums, such as $242 million for Penn State's general support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding to public universities for 2025-2026 fiscal year with spending oversight, directly advancing public education budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct funding to five PA universities for 2025-2026 fiscal year with reporting requirements, aligning with education funding support indicators per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 485: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and establishing the Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Station Tax Credit.

SB 485 creates a Pennsylvania tax credit for homeowners who install residential electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It allows eligible taxpayers to claim a credit covering 100% of the installation cost, up to $2,000, against their state income tax liability for the year the station is placed in service. To qualify, a taxpayer must reside in Pennsylvania for over half the previous year, own their primary residence, and install the charger there. The credit is refundable, meaning any unused portion is paid back as a cash refund if it exceeds the taxpayer's state income tax bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit covering 100% of EV charger installation costs ($2k max), reducing tax liability for eligible homeowners per Tax Reform Code amendment.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates tax credit for residential EV charging stations, promoting clean energy infrastructure adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence through EV adoption incentives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSB 485 creates a tax credit for residential EV charging stations, directly promoting clean transportation infrastructure and reducing emissions from vehicles, aligning with environmental protection goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1341: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in budget and finance, further providing for Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.

HB 1341 changes how Pennsylvania distributes revenue from vehicle fines. It requires municipalities to provide at least 40 hours per week of police services (via their own department, regional department, or contracted services) to receive a share of these fines. Municipalities that don’t meet this service requirement will no longer qualify for the funds, which will instead be transferred to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. This commission will then distribute the funds to programs supporting regional police department accreditation and collaboration across the state. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects municipal fine revenue to Commission requiring police service standards, promoting fiscal accountability in fund distribution.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ties municipal fine revenue to police service requirements, directing funds to maintain law enforcement capacity via Commission distribution.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 637: An Act establishing the Youth Summer Employment Grant Program and the Youth Summer Employment Fund; and authorizing regulations.

HB 637 establishes Pennsylvania's Youth Summer Employment Grant Program, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. The program provides grants to eligible employers (including businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities) who hire residents aged 15-18 for at least eight weeks during summer, pay at least $15/hour or the state minimum wage, and offer work or educational experiences. Grants amount to $5,000 for 10-20 youth, $10,000 for over 20 youth, with an additional $5,000 if 50% of hired youth live in historically disadvantaged communities (defined as areas with ≥20% poverty for 30+ years). Funding comes from a new nonlapsing Youth Summer Employment Fund in the State Treasury, with the department required to advertise the program to employers and schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds ($5k-$10k grants) to fund youth employment program, directly advancing public service funding under budget management.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes youth employment grants requiring $15/hr wage, advancing employment standards for young workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 537: An Act amending the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act, further providing for death benefits paid to local tax authority on behalf of surviving spouse, minor children or parents.

HB 537 amends Pennsylvania's Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to provide property tax relief for the primary residences of deceased public safety workers. It directs the state to pay local tax authorities the full property tax amount for the surviving spouse's or minor children's primary residence for five years after death (or until the home is sold), if no spouse or minor children survive, the benefit goes to parents. The bill requires surviving family members to provide the tax bill to the relevant department to trigger payments. This change directly affects families of covered personnel, including paid and volunteer firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other emergency responders who died while on duty.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for surviving families of public safety workers by directing state payment of property taxes for 5 years, reducing their tax burden.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 16, 2025

HB 1863: An Act establishing the Public Option Program and the Public Option Program Fund; and imposing duties on the Insurance Department.

HB 1863 would create a new public health insurance plan, called the Public Option, available to state residents as an alternative to private insurance. It establishes a dedicated Public Option Program Fund to support the plan and requires the Insurance Department to administer the program, including setting up enrollment and oversight. Health insurers would be obligated to participate in the Public Option Program. This bill directly affects residents seeking health coverage and insurers operating in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated Public Option Program Fund to allocate state resources for new public health insurance program, directly funding a public service.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates public health insurance option, mandates insurer participation, expands coverage access as alternative to private plans95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

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