HB 818 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act providing for the establishment of first-time homebuyer savings accounts for first-time homebuyers in this Commonwealth; establishing the First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Program and the First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Fund; and imposing duties on the Treasury Department.

HB 818 creates a program allowing first-time homebuyers in the Commonwealth to open state-backed savings accounts for down payments and closing costs. It establishes a dedicated First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Fund and requires the Treasury Department to manage the program and allocate funds. The bill directly affects eligible first-time homebuyers by providing a new savings mechanism for housing costs. Key provisions include the fund's creation, Treasury's administrative duties, and the structure for account access.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2025 Last action May 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1296 Printer's No. PN1656 · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill update clarifies definitions, reorganizes the administrative structure, and introduces new protections for account holders. Key changes include adding a specific definition for 'Ineligible Use' to prevent selling homes within three years, updating the fund's repayment terms to be asset-dependent rather than a fixed deadline, and expanding penalty exemptions to include job transfers and economic hardship.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by adding specific exemptions for non-account holders regarding tax deductions and clarifying the conditions under which funds can be withdrawn without penalty.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Ineligible Use' to specifically prohibit the sale or lease of a single-family residence within three years of the settlement date.

Updated the definition of 'Fund' to reference section 4(c) 3(C) and 'Program' to reference section 4 3, indicating a structural reorganization of the bill's sections.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the repayment timeline for the program's initial costs from a fixed 10-year deadline to a flexible timeline that occurs only when sufficient assets exist to cover program costs.

Added a new provision stating that individuals who are not account holders (but contribute to the account) are not entitled to the tax deduction and exclusion benefits.

Modified the tax exclusion rules to allow deductions for the principal amount up to $50,000 within 10 years, while removing the previous limit on earnings included in that aggregate amount.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific exemptions to the early withdrawal penalty for situations involving death, disability, bankruptcy, loss of income due to termination not caused by the individual, loss of an income earner, job transfers, or other economic hardships.

Floor votes · House May 12, 2025

How they voted

18320
Passed
Total votes 203
May 12, 2025
D Democratic102
102 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican101
81 Yea 20 Nay
80% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to Urban Affairs & Housing
upper
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
May 7, 2025
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Housing & Community Development
lower
1 primary · 31 co-sponsors

Sponsors