HB 1157 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.

HB 1157 amends Pennsylvania's 1936 Unemployment Compensation Law to update how "agricultural labor" is defined for unemployment insurance coverage. It specifies that agricultural work counts as "employment" if employers paid $20,000+ in cash wages to agricultural workers in a calendar quarter, or employed 10+ workers across 20 different weeks (with historical exceptions). This change directly affects Pennsylvania agricultural employers meeting these thresholds and their workers, potentially expanding unemployment coverage eligibility for some farm laborers. The amendment applies to service performed after December 31, 2025.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 7, 2025 Last action Apr 23, 2025
Floor votes · House Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

233
Passed
Total votes 26
Apr 23, 2025
D Democratic14
14 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
9 Yea 3 Nay
75% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Apr 23, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (23-3)
house
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Agriculture & Rural Affairs
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors