Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 7, 2026

HB 2494: 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.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's sales and use tax law to temporarily exempt pet food from taxation. It specifically applies to individual buyers purchasing pet food for personal, non-business use during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026. The legislation defines "pet food" broadly to include dry, wet, raw, and fresh varieties, and clarifies that the tax break applies even if the food is delivered after the six-month period ends. The Department of Revenue is tasked with publishing online guidance to help consumers understand and utilize this temporary exclusion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary tax relief on pet food for individual buyers, reducing the tax burden on households.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1319: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, further providing for definitions and providing for physical health improvement tax credit.

This Pennsylvania bill creates a new tax credit for residents who spend money on physical health improvements, such as gym memberships and in-person exercise classes. To qualify, taxpayers must have a household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty limit, with a maximum credit of $500 for individuals or $1,000 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is non-refundable, meaning it can only reduce tax owed to zero and cannot result in a refund, and it specifically excludes costs for books, virtual training, or personal trainers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a tax credit for low-income residents, providing tax relief and financial support for health improvements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a tax credit to incentivize physical health improvements, directly advancing public health goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 20, 2026

HB 2525: An Act amending the act of July 18, 1974 (P.L.483, No.174), known as The Institutional Assistance Grants Act, repealing provisions relating to legislative findings; further providing for definitions, for institutional assistance grants and for assistance grant fund; and repealing provisions relating to appropriation.

HB 2525 amends Pennsylvania's Institutional Assistance Grants Act to update definitions and procedures for grants given to students attending independent colleges. The bill removes old legislative findings and specific appropriation amounts, while establishing a new maximum grant limit of $400 per student. It also requires the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to audit eligible institutions and publish annual reports on how the grant funds are used.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new maximum grant limit and mandates audits and reporting for student grants, enhancing fiscal oversight and protecting funding for higher education.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill updates grant procedures and establishes a $400 limit for independent college students, enhancing financial aid access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1297: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program, further providing for application for certification and for separation of facilities, providing for additional eligibility requirements, further providing for notification, for revocation of certification, for application for certification and for separation of facilities, providing for additional eligibility requirements and further providing for notification and records and for revocation of certification.

This Pennsylvania bill updates the state's Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program by adding new eligibility requirements that will take effect on January 1, 2030. To qualify for tax incentives, data centers must purchase 100% of their electricity from renewable sources and demonstrate investments in environmental management and energy efficiency by meeting specific green building standards. The legislation also allows owners to separate facilities into multiple certified units and establishes procedures for notifying the state of compliance and revoking certifications if requirements are not met.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens the state's fiscal management by updating tax incentives to require renewable energy and efficiency, promoting long-term economic sustainability.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates 100% renewable electricity for data centers and requires energy efficiency investments, directly advancing clean energy goals.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates renewable energy and efficiency standards for data centers, promoting sustainable technology infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 2446: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, establishing the Fire Company Transformational Grant Program.

This bill establishes the Fire Company Transformational Grant Program in Pennsylvania to provide financial support to municipal, volunteer, and combination fire companies. The program will be funded with up to $30 million annually from the Property Tax Relief Reserve Fund and allows grants ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, with a higher limit for consolidated agencies. Eligible fire companies can use the funds to purchase equipment, build or renovate facilities, recruit and retain staff, and support regionalization efforts. To qualify, applicants must meet specific administrative requirements, such as maintaining current contact information and being registered with a public safety answering point. The administering office will set detailed guidelines for the application process, evaluate requests based on established criteria, and require annual reports on how the grants are used.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $30M annually from a reserve fund to establish a grant program for fire companies, directly increasing funding for essential public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds recruitment and retention of fire company staff, directly supporting workforce stability and employment standards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2484: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in Commonwealth budget procedures, providing for budget enactment.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Administrative Code to establish a specific rule for enacting the state budget. It directly affects the General Assembly and the Commonwealth's fiscal operations by requiring lawmakers to remain in session on weekdays until a general appropriation bill is passed if one is not completed by the end of the current fiscal year. The key provision mandates continuous legislative activity to prevent a lapse in funding for the upcoming fiscal year, ensuring that state operations can continue without interruption. This change formalizes the process for budget enactment to address potential delays in passing necessary financial legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates continuous legislative sessions to prevent budget lapses, ensuring state funding continuity and fiscal stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2371: 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; and, in gross receipts tax, further providing for imposition of tax; and providing for reporting and for transfers.

HB 2371 modifies Pennsylvania's tax code to temporarily exempt mobile telecommunications services from sales and gross receipts taxes for six months starting in 2026. The bill requires providers to report these services separately and mandates that the tax savings be passed directly to consumers through lower bills, with penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the legislation ensures that a specific transfer of funds from the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act remains consistent with the previous fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary tax relief on mobile telecommunications services, reducing consumer costs and aligning with fiscal support goals.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill temporarily exempts mobile telecommunications services from taxes, lowering costs and promoting internet access and digital equity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Telecommunications

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 489: A Resolution designating May 17, 2026, as the "25th Anniversary of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program Day" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates May 17, 2026, as the "25th Anniversary of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program Day" in Pennsylvania. The resolution recognizes the program, which allows businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations that fund tuition for students in public and private schools. By formally acknowledging the program's 25-year history, the bill highlights its role in providing educational options for families across the state without changing any existing laws or policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill designates a day honoring a tax credit program that provides tax relief for businesses and supports educational options, aligning with fiscal incentives.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes a program expanding educational access via tax credits for scholarships, indicating support for diverse schooling options.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 2459: 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.

This bill proposes a temporary sales tax exemption for exercise equipment purchased by individuals for personal use. The measure would allow buyers to avoid paying sales tax on items such as machines, tools, or wearable gear designed to improve physical strength or flexibility. This tax break applies only during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026, and covers purchases made within that period even if the equipment is delivered later. The Department of Revenue would be responsible for publishing online guidance to help consumers understand how to claim this exclusion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary sales tax relief on exercise equipment, reducing the financial burden on individuals and promoting personal health.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 20, 2026

HB 2522: 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.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt sales and use tax on items related to homecoming and prom events. The exemption applies to individuals purchasing formal attire, shoes, flowers, and accessories for nonbusiness use during a six-month window starting July 1, 2026. The law defines specific terms like "homecoming" and "prom" to clarify which events qualify, and it states that the tax exclusion remains in effect even if the purchased items are delivered after the six-month period ends.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary sales tax exemptions for specific consumer goods, offering tax relief to individuals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax

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