Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1840: An Act amending the act of May 21, 1937 (P.L.774, No.211), referred to as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Act, providing for reduced toll rates for disabled veterans.

HB 1840 amends Pennsylvania's Turnpike Commission Act to establish reduced toll rates for disabled veterans using the state turnpike system. It directly affects disabled veterans who are eligible for this benefit under the amended law. The key provision creates a specific lower toll rate category for qualifying veterans, streamlining access to reduced fares without requiring separate applications. This policy change modifies the existing toll structure to provide cost savings for this defined group of users.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirectly establishes reduced toll rates for disabled veterans under PA Turnpike Act, expanding financial benefits without requiring separate applications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 10, 2025

HR 88: A Resolution designating August 7, 2025, as "Purple Heart Day" in Pennsylvania.

This bill is a symbolic resolution designating August 7, 2025, as "Purple Heart Day" within Pennsylvania. It directly affects the state government and its citizens by encouraging official recognition of Purple Heart recipients on that date. The key provision is the formal designation of a specific date for commemoration, not a change to benefits or laws. It serves purely as an observance to honor military service members awarded the Purple Heart.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Purple Heart Day for recognition, aligning with veteran service acknowledgment per support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 358: An Act amending the act of November 24, 2004 (P.L.1270, No.153), referred to as the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System Law, establishing the Pennsylvania Green Alert System; and further providing for immunity.

SB 358 creates Pennsylvania's Green Alert System, a new program to help locate missing veterans at risk due to service-connected health issues. The system requires the Pennsylvania State Police, in consultation with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to activate alerts when law enforcement confirms a missing veteran has physical or mental health conditions (like PTSD, TBI, or substance use disorders) related to military service. It expands existing immunity protections to cover people assisting during Green Alert notifications, similar to current Amber Alert and MEPAS rules. This directly affects veterans with military-related health risks, law enforcement agencies requesting alerts, and the public receiving notifications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes Green Alert System for missing veterans with service-connected health issues (PTSD, TBI, substance use), directly supporting mental health services through rapid response protocols.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates Green Alert System specifically for missing veterans with service-connected health issues (PTSD, TBI), requiring state police to activate alerts in consultation with veterans affairs department.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 1003: An Act establishing the Veterans' Housing Assistance Program; and imposing duties on Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

HB 1003 establishes Pennsylvania's Veterans' Housing Assistance Program to provide rental assistance to homeless or at-risk veterans. It directly affects veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces and are identified as homeless or facing imminent homelessness by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The program provides rental vouchers (financial assistance) to cover monthly rent and utilities, while the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency coordinates housing ombudsman services to negotiate leases and resolve credit issues, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs identifies eligible veterans and sets implementation guidelines. Veterans must apply through the Department or Agency and may be required to participate in supportive services like mental health counseling or job training to receive assistance.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes rental assistance program for homeless veterans, providing direct funding to cover housing costs and prevent homelessness.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes Veterans' Housing Assistance Program providing rental vouchers to homeless/at-risk veterans, directly funding and expanding veteran benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance Renters Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 12, 2026

SB 146: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in emergency COVID-19 response, providing for extension of use of certain funds; in Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, further providing for Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program; in cigarette sales and licensing, further providing for definitions and providing for allowable mode of operations for licensed cigarette stamping agents; in joint underwriting association, further providing for fund transfers; providing for food processing residuals; in financially distressed municipalities, further providing for financial recovery; in oil and gas wells, further providing for Oil and Gas Lease Fund and providing for deep wells and Utica Shale permits and for well plugging; providing for manufacturing and investment tax credit, for Innovate in PA 2.0 Tax Credit and for design build best value; in human services, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care, for resident care and related costs and for LIFE Program and providing for transition to chip-enabled access cards, for Medical Assistance Reentry Program, for Children's Trust Fund and for medical assistance pharmacy services; in additional keystone opportunity expansion zones, providing for additional zone for shipbuilding and for additional zones; providing for residential revitalization keystone opportunity zones and for violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods; in special funds, further providing for funding and for Pennsylvania Convention Center; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, providing for Veterans' Trust Fund Board and further providing for establishment of special fund and account, for use of fund and for distributions from Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, further providing for deposits and providing for Professional Licensure Augmentation Account; in general budget implementation, further providing for Executive Offices, for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Corrections, for Department of Labor and Industry and for Department of Transportation, providing for Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and further providing for Commonwealth Financing Authority, for Federal and Commonwealth use of forest land, for Multimodal Transportation Fund, for School Safety and Security Fund, for State Gaming Fund, for State Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account and for Public School Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account; in retirement, providing for 2026 special ad hoc municipal police and firefighter postretirement adjustment, for supplemental annuities for public school employees commencing 2026, for supplemental annuities for State employees commencing 2026 and for payment of supplemental annuity and special ad hoc postretirement adjustment; in electricity load forecast accountability, providing for energy and water reporting and for advanced transmission technologies; in 2025-2026 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Human Services and for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; providing for 2026-2027 budget implementation and for 2026-2027 restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; in fiscal supplements to statutory programs, providing for amusement tax clarification, for situs for local sales tax for cities of the first class, for situs for local sales tax for counties of the second class, for net income and for housing; abrogating a regulation; making repeals; providing for suspension of pension actuarial notes; and making editorial changes.

SB 146 establishes a Veterans' Trust Fund Board to manage and oversee the State Veterans' Trust Fund under Pennsylvania law. The bill directly affects veterans' programs by creating a dedicated board to administer funds supporting veteran services, such as housing, healthcare, and employment initiatives. Key provisions include defining the board's structure, responsibilities, and governance for the Trust Fund, updating existing statutes to reflect these changes. The bill does not create new benefits but organizes the management of existing funding streams for veterans' support. (Note: As of the latest action, the bill was "Reported as amended" in committee and has not yet become law.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a Veterans' Trust Fund Board and allocates funds for various state programs, directly advancing fiscal management and funding essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a Veterans' Trust Fund Board to oversee funds for veteran healthcare and other services, directly supporting health access.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes Veterans' Trust Fund Board to manage funds for veteran services including healthcare and employment, directly advancing veteran programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 870: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Educational Assistance Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility and for recoupment of grant payments; and, in Military Family Education Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for limitations and for recoupment of Military Family Education Program grant payments.

SB 870 amends Pennsylvania's military education programs to clarify eligibility and repayment rules for National Guard members and their families. It updates the definition of "approved program of education" to include more training options and refines eligibility criteria, such as requiring six years of service for full-time grants and adding specific rules for members discharged due to service-connected disabilities. The bill also revises recoupment (repayment) procedures, allowing proportional repayment if service obligations aren't met and expanding forgiveness for certain circumstances like medical discharge. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families using the Educational Assistance Program and Military Family Education Program. The bill focuses on streamlining program administration without altering benefit amounts or funding.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands eligibility for military education benefits, includes more training options, and protects service-connected disability discharges under Pennsylvania's program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 21, 2025

SR 87: A Resolution commemorating September 2, 2025, as "V-J Day" in Pennsylvania.

Senate Resolution 87 commemorates September 2, 2025, as "V-J Day" in Pennsylvania, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. It encourages local governments and communities throughout the Commonwealth to conduct appropriate observances.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCommends WWII veterans' service via V-J Day commemoration, aligning with recognition indicator for support stance. Historical recognition qualifies as supportive recognition per topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 16, 2025

HR 310: A Resolution designating September 28, 2025, as "Gold Star Mother's and Family Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates September 28, 2025, as "Gold Star Mother's and Family Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes Pennsylvania families who have lost a member in military service, encouraging state-level acknowledgment of their sacrifice. The bill does not create new legal obligations or funding but establishes an annual observance to honor these families. As a ceremonial resolution, it directly affects Pennsylvania residents by designating a specific day for commemoration.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates day to honor Gold Star families (military sacrifice), directly aligning with veteran recognition policies without legal/funding impact.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 17, 2026

SB 993: An Act amending Titles 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns), 11 (Cities) and 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in corporate power relating to boroughs, further providing for specific powers; in veterans' affairs relating to boroughs, further providing for care and erection of memorials; in corporate powers relating to third class cities, providing for control, maintenance and repair of memorials; in veterans' affairs relating to third class cities, further providing for care of memorials; in grounds and buildings, further providing for monuments, memorials and memorial halls to war veterans and for preservation, maintenance, repair and completion of public monuments; and making an editorial change.

SB 993 amends Pennsylvania laws to clarify and expand local government authority over veterans' memorials. It directly affects boroughs, third-class cities, and counties by requiring them to maintain, repair, and preserve existing memorials for war veterans, not just erect new ones. The bill specifies that these local governments must manage memorials on public property, including completing repairs and ensuring their upkeep, while also updating related corporate power provisions. This focuses on practical maintenance rather than new memorial construction.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates local governments to maintain, repair, and preserve veterans' memorials, directly recognizing veteran service through preservation efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 512: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veterans' temporary assistance, further providing for amounts of assistance.

HB 512 amends Pennsylvania law to set a clear maximum for veterans' temporary financial assistance. The bill specifies that payments cannot exceed $2,500 or the veteran's documented need, whichever is less. This change directly affects Pennsylvania veterans eligible for temporary financial aid under Title 51. The key provision simplifies the existing rule by removing outdated language and establishing a fixed cap, ensuring assistance aligns with actual documented need.

Topics ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransSets $2,500 cap on temporary assistance, restricting maximum benefit amount rather than expanding support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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