Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 62: An Act providing for social media platforms and for limiting censorship.

HB 62, the Social Media Anti-Censorship Act, requires social media platforms with over 50 million active U.S. users to publish clear acceptable use policies explaining content restrictions and appeal processes. If a platform removes content for policy violations, it must immediately notify the user and provide a 14-day appeal option. The bill also mandates biannual transparency reports detailing content moderation decisions. This law directly affects major social media platforms operating in Pennsylvania, aiming to increase transparency in content removal practices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency and appeal processes for social media content moderation, protecting user digital rights and limiting platform censorship per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 7, 2025

SB 649: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in forgery and fraudulent practices, providing for the offense of digital forgery.

Pennsylvania's SB 649 (now Act No. 35 of 2025) creates a new criminal offense for "digital forgery," targeting individuals who create and distribute fake digital images or audio recordings of real people without consent, intending to defraud or cause harm. It defines a "forged digital likeness" as a computer-generated representation that materially changes a person's appearance, speech, or behavior to deceive others, with penalties ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony for fraud schemes. The law explicitly excludes satire, political commentary, law enforcement activities, and technology providers from prosecution, and allows a defense if the creator clearly disclosed the content as fake. This law directly affects creators of deceptive digital content and aims to protect individuals from identity-based fraud or harm.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new digital forgery offense, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework per bill's definition and penalties.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates criminal penalties for deceptive digital forgery, protecting individuals from manipulated media and enhancing data privacy protections against AI-generated deception.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 972: An Act providing for an inventory of State-owned assets for the development of fixed broadband services in unserved areas; establishing the Broadband Services Restricted Account; and providing for underserved areas of this Commonwealth.

HB 972 requires Pennsylvania to catalog state and county-owned assets (like land and buildings) that could support high-speed internet service in areas without reliable access (defined as "unserved" or "underserved"). It establishes a dedicated fund, the Broadband Services Restricted Account, to be filled with lease payments from these assets and used to expand internet infrastructure in those areas. The bill also sets rules for leasing assets to qualified internet providers, directly affecting state agencies, local governments, and companies building broadband networks. This law focuses on making concrete policy changes to leverage public assets for broadband deployment without advocating for specific outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Broadband Services Restricted Account funded by lease payments from state assets to finance broadband infrastructure expansion, directly allocating public resources for essential service development.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates cataloging state assets to fund broadband expansion in unserved areas, directly advancing internet access infrastructure per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 590: An Act amending the act of November 23, 2010 (P.L.1083, No.108), known as the Covered Device Recycling Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.

SB 590 amends Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act by updating definitions to clarify which electronic products are subject to the state's recycling program. It explicitly adds "photovoltaic modules" (solar panels used in buildings or off-grid systems) to the list of covered devices while excluding mobile phones, personal digital assistants, GPS devices, and appliances like refrigerators. The bill defines "manufacturer" to include computer, television, and solar panel producers, specifying who must comply with existing recycling obligations. These changes refine the scope of the law without altering current requirements for covered devices.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExplicitly adds photovoltaic modules (solar panels) to recycling program, supporting renewable energy infrastructure lifecycle management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds photovoltaic modules (solar panels) to recycling program, promoting clean energy infrastructure sustainability and reducing e-waste from renewable tech.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAdds photovoltaic modules (solar panels) to recycling program, expanding coverage for tech devices under sustainable policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Recycling

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1267: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credits relating to semiconductor manufacturing and biomedical manufacturing and research, further providing for definitions and for application and approval of tax credit.

HB 1267 creates tax credits for Pennsylvania businesses investing in semiconductor manufacturing or biomedical manufacturing and research. To qualify, companies must invest at least $100 million in a new facility, create 100 permanent jobs paying at least the prevailing wage, and meet local hiring and construction requirements. The tax credit can be calculated as up to 2.5% of the capital investment or up to $20,000 per job based on payroll taxes. Early stage semiconductor businesses (with under $10 million in revenue) must invest $3 million in R&D and receive a minimum $100,000 credit per year, with a yearly cap of $2 million for all such businesses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credits for businesses investing in semiconductor/biomedical sectors, directly modifying tax policy to incentivize economic development through reduced tax liability.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tax credits for semiconductor manufacturing investment, directly advancing technology sector growth through economic incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SB 833: An Act requiring manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to make available to owners and independent repair providers, on fair and reasonable terms, documentation, parts and tools used to diagnose, maintain and repair digital electronic equipment; and imposing a penalty.

SB 833, the Right-to-Repair Act, requires manufacturers (OEMs) of digital electronic equipment sold in Pennsylvania after July 1, 2022, to provide owners and independent repair shops with repair documentation, parts, and tools on fair and reasonable terms. This includes free access to manuals, diagrams, and tools (with minor fees only for physical copies), and parts at costs equivalent to those offered to authorized repair providers. The law excludes medical devices, motor vehicles, security systems, and video game consoles from its requirements. It directly affects consumers who repair their own devices and independent repair businesses, aiming to reduce manufacturer control over repair processes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates manufacturers provide repair documentation/parts to consumers/independent shops, promoting digital device repair access and consumer rights under tech regulation.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 1178: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in public library code, providing for Rural Library Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

HB 1178 establishes a Rural Library Grant Program to provide funding for essential maintenance and infrastructure upgrades at eligible libraries in Pennsylvania. The program targets libraries serving populations of fewer than 10,000 people, offering annual grants between $20,000 and $100,000 for specific repairs like roof replacements, boiler systems, plumbing, energy efficiency projects, health and safety improvements, and internet connectivity (excluding educational technology hardware or software). The Department of Education must create application guidelines within 60 days, review applications to ensure statewide geographic distribution, and publicly report all funded projects on its website.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds rural library infrastructure upgrades, enhancing educational access and community resources in underserved areas per Title 24 Education statutes.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds internet connectivity infrastructure for rural libraries, directly expanding access as per topic indicators while excluding non-access tech hardware.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 16, 2025

SB 812: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in electronic voting systems, further providing for examination and approval of electronic voting systems by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and providing for malfunction and certification reporting; and making an editorial change.

SB 812 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen oversight of electronic voting systems. It requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to review these systems for security, functionality, and accessibility, including publicly demonstrating them 30 days before approval. Counties must report voting system malfunctions (e.g., ballot delays or tabulation issues) to the state within 60 days of elections, detailing causes and impacts. The bill also mandates that all review reports and public demonstration recordings be posted on the state’s website for public access.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens election system cybersecurity through mandatory security reviews, public demonstrations, and malfunction reporting requirements for electronic voting systems.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 705: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, providing for development of grid infrastructure.

HB 705 requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to issue grid security guidelines within 180 days, mandating electric distribution companies to develop and file detailed infrastructure plans within one year. These plans must address grid security against cyber/physical threats, electrify public infrastructure (like transit and emergency services), deploy modern technologies (energy storage, EV chargers), and ensure equitable coverage in underserved areas. Companies must evaluate impacts on grid reliability, economic development, customer rates, and low-income households before submitting plans for commission approval. The bill directly affects all electric distribution companies operating in Pennsylvania, requiring them to coordinate with state agencies and community representatives to modernize the grid for growing demand.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates deployment of energy storage, EV chargers, and grid infrastructure for renewables while requiring equitable coverage in underserved areas.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates grid cybersecurity measures and requires deployment of modern technologies (EV chargers, energy storage) for infrastructure, advancing tech infrastructure and security.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates electrification of public transit infrastructure and deployment of EV chargers, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Electric Vehicles Utility Regulation Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1235: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies and preparation of the voting system and of polling places and providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing.

HB 1235 updates Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen oversight of electronic voting systems. It adds definitions for "ballot set" (different ballot types like mail-in or in-person) and "ballot style" (specific candidate arrangements per district), and requires county election boards to conduct mandatory pre-election logic and accuracy testing. This testing ensures voting machines are properly programmed, ballot layouts match official designs, and equipment accurately counts votes before each election. The bill directly affects county election boards, which must complete these tests and document results for all voting equipment used in upcoming elections.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires mandatory pre-election cybersecurity testing for voting machines to ensure accuracy and prevent tampering, strengthening election technology security.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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