SB 64: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veteran-owned small businesses, providing for veteran-owned business logotype; and imposing a penalty. - Pennsylvania

Printer's No. PN0985 → Printer's No. PN1693 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill version adds a new requirement for the Department to hire a dedicated coordinator to assist veteran business owners and clarifies that fees for the veteran-owned business logotype must be deposited into the Veterans' Trust Fund. It also extends the bill's effective date from September 1, 2026, to September 1, 2027, and includes minor formatting corrections to section numbering.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to mandate the employment of a specific coordinator role for veteran business support.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for the Department to hire a Veteran-Owned Small Business Coordinator to assist veterans in owning or operating businesses.

FISCAL

Clarified that fees collected for the veteran-owned business logotype must be deposited into the Veterans' Trust Fund.

TIMELINE

Extended the effective date of the act from September 1, 2026, to September 1, 2027.

TECHNICAL

Corrected section numbering inconsistencies and formatting errors found in the previous version.

Printer's No. PN0917 → Printer's No. PN0985 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill version updates the legislative history to include recent amendments and changes the effective date to September 1, 2026, or immediately, whichever is later. It also adjusts the timeline for the Department to develop the veteran-owned business logotype and application process from 30 days to 90 days, likely to allow for more thorough planning and public engagement.

Scope change

The bill's substantive scope regarding veteran-owned business definitions and fund usage remains unchanged, but the implementation timeline has been extended.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the Department to develop the logotype and application process was increased from 30 days to 90 days after the effective date.

The deadline for the Department to post public notice about the logotype was increased from 30 days to 90 days after creation.

The bill's effective date was changed to September 1, 2026, or immediately, whichever is later, replacing a previous '60 days' provision.

TECHNICAL

Updated printer's numbers and session history to reflect recent amendments and re-reporting.

Printer's No. PN0509 → Printer's No. PN0917 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly expanded from a narrow focus on veteran-owned business logos to a broader program including military family relief assistance. Key changes include adding a new fund for military family relief, increasing the deadline for creating the veteran business logo from 30 to 90 days, and establishing a $250 fee for logo usage to fund the new relief program.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely regulating veteran-owned business logos to also establishing a Military Family Relief Assistance Fund and modifying the definition of a veteran-owned business to require 51% ownership.

FISCAL

Added a new 'Military Family Relief Assistance Fund' to provide financial support for military families.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for the department to design the veteran-owned business logo from 30 days to 90 days.

Changed the act's effective date from 60 days after passage to September 1, 2026, or immediately if later.

REQUIREMENT

Introduced a $250 fee for businesses using the veteran-owned logo, with proceeds directed to the new relief fund.

DEFINITION

Clarified the definition of a veteran-owned business to explicitly require at least 51% ownership interest held by a veteran.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions for the department to collaborate with other agencies and create a public database of approved veteran-owned businesses.

Printer's No. PN0025 → Printer's No. PN0509 · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten to clarify that a veteran-owned business must be at least 51% owned by a veteran. It replaced a single section with a new subchapter containing detailed definitions, specific deadlines for creating the official logotype, and a comprehensive application process. New provisions were added to allow voluntary contributions to the Veterans' Trust Fund and established a third-degree misdemeanor penalty for fraudulently claiming veteran status to use the logo.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general directive to create a logo into a structured regulatory framework with specific eligibility thresholds (51% ownership), defined administrative timelines, and explicit penalties for misuse.

DEFINITION

Added a specific requirement that a business must be at least 51% owned by a veteran to qualify.

REQUIREMENT

Established a 30-day deadline for the department to design the logotype and develop an application available on its website.

Created guidelines for the department to set criteria for establishing veteran-owned status.

Mandated an annual report by March 31 detailing the number of approved businesses and applications received.

FISCAL

Permitted applicants to voluntarily contribute any amount to the Veterans' Trust Fund as part of the application.

ENFORCEMENT

Defined fraudulent use of the logotype as a third-degree misdemeanor with fines deposited into the Veterans' Trust Fund.

TIMELINE

Required the department to post public notice with application instructions within 30 days of creating the logotype.

An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veteran-owned small businesses, providing for veteran-owned business logotype; and imposing a penalty.

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