Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2537: An Act amending the act of January 8, 1960 (1959 P.L.2119, No.787), known as the Air Pollution Control Act, further providing for penalties.

This Pennsylvania bill strengthens penalties for violating the state's Air Pollution Control Act, specifically targeting emissions of bad smells or odors. It mandates that anyone who willfully or negligently breaks air pollution rules faces a fine of at least $1,000 or up to two years in prison for each offense. For violations involving malodors, the law sets escalating fines of $150,000, $200,000, and $250,000 for the first, second, and third offenses respectively. Additionally, if a business fails to fix a malodor problem after 30 days, it must stop operations until the issue is resolved and approved by the Department of Environmental Resources. These changes apply to all individuals and entities operating within Pennsylvania and take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2543: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for pending medical assistance applications.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to improve how the state handles pending applications for long-term care medical assistance. It requires county offices to establish a standardized process that includes sending specific pending letters within ten days, communicating weekly with providers, and reviewing new documents within ten days of receipt. Additionally, the legislation mandates an annual public report on application statistics and allows nursing facilities to request payment for uncompensated care if an application has been pending for at least sixty days. These changes directly affect county assistance offices, long-term care providers, and residents waiting for eligibility decisions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2539: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program, further providing for application for certification, for eligibility requirements relating to Sales and Use Tax Refund Program and for eligibility requirements relating to Sales and Use Tax Exemption Program.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's tax incentives for computer data centers by adding new requirements for owners and operators seeking tax refunds or exemptions. To qualify, facilities must submit detailed applications including investment projections and signed affirmations from authorized executives. Additionally, the legislation mandates that certified data centers obtain an environmental certification, such as LEED Silver or Energy Star, within two years of receiving their initial certification.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Mandy Steele (D) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2536: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and providing for direct support professionals tax credit.

This bill creates a new tax credit for individuals employed as direct support professionals who assist people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. To qualify, workers must have an adjusted gross income of less than $100,000 and can claim a credit of up to $1,000 against their state taxes, with any unused portion refunded as cash. The program is limited to a total of $2 million per fiscal year and will be available from 2026 through 2030.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2533: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in zoning, providing for optional moratorium on filing or consideration of new applications for high impact data centers.

This bill allows Pennsylvania municipalities to voluntarily pause the review of new applications for high-impact data centers for up to 18 months. The measure is designed to give local governments time to assess infrastructure needs, such as water and electrical grid capacity, and to draft updated zoning rules before approving such facilities. While the moratorium blocks new filings and variances, it does not affect existing data centers or their routine maintenance, and it includes a process for applicants to request waivers if they face unique hardships. Municipalities must hold public hearings and make reasonable progress on planning studies during the pause, and the law clarifies that this temporary measure does not constitute a legal taking of property.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HR 539: A Resolution designating the month of October 2026 as "Agent Orange Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates October 2026 as "Agent Orange Awareness Month" to honor Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange. The bill highlights the health risks faced by these service members, including those who served on ships in offshore waters known as Blue Water Navy Veterans. By officially recognizing this month, the resolution aims to raise awareness about the long-term health effects of herbicide exposure among veterans and their families.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Rob Matzie (D) · 24 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2531: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, further providing for disarming law enforcement officer.

This bill introduces a new crime in Pennsylvania called disarming a law enforcement officer, which would apply to corrections officers and school security guards as well. It makes it a third-degree felony to take or try to take a firearm, rifle, shotgun, or other weapon from these officials when they are working, provided the person knows or has reason to know who they are. The law would take effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2541: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and providing for Keystone Literacy Investment Tax Credit.

This bill creates the Keystone Literacy Investment Tax Credit, a program designed to fund evidence-based reading instruction in Pennsylvania public schools. It allows insurance companies and their holding companies to purchase tax credits that can be applied against their insurance premiums tax liability. The Department of Community and Economic Development will sell up to $150 million in these credits, with the program beginning in 2028 and credits becoming usable in 2029. The legislation also establishes an annual cap of $50 million on the total amount of credits that can be used against tax liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2532: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, repealing provisions relating to computer data center equipment incentive program; in general provisions, providing for transfer of tax from certain sale of computer data equipment; and establishing a restricted account in the Motor License Fund.

This Pennsylvania bill repeals the existing tax incentive program for computer data center equipment and replaces it with a new system that transfers taxes collected from the sale of such equipment into a restricted account within the Motor License Fund. The legislation defines specific equipment and facilities that qualify for the transfer, including servers, cooling systems, and power management infrastructure used in data centers. By redirecting these funds, the bill aims to support the Motor License Fund without providing direct tax breaks to businesses or individuals.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 1347: An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the City of Hermitage, certain lands situate in the City of Hermitage, formerly known as Hickory Township, Mercer County.

SB 1347 authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to sell approximately 7.92 acres of former National Guard property to the City of Hermitage for $920,000. The sale includes specific land boundaries and improvements, with the transaction subject to existing easements and potential new restrictions determined by the state. A key provision prohibits the city from using the land for any licensed facility, such as an alcohol or tobacco establishment, with the property title reverting to the state if this rule is violated. The bill also mandates that the city pays all closing costs and that the sale proceeds be deposited into the State Armory Fund.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 1348: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, further providing for work to be done under contract let on bids and exception; and, in books, furniture and supplies, further providing for purchase of supplies.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to change the dollar thresholds for how school districts must purchase construction, repairs, and supplies. It raises the minimum cost for requiring competitive public bids on building projects from $18,500 to $100,000 and increases the limit for using internal staff to perform work from $10,000 to $50,000. Additionally, the threshold for needing written price quotes from at least three contractors for smaller purchases is raised from $10,000 to $50,000. These changes apply to all public school districts and allow them to handle more maintenance and procurement tasks internally or with fewer formal bidding requirements. The legislation also strengthens rules against splitting large purchases into smaller contracts to avoid mandatory competitive bidding processes.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 26, 2026

HB 2534: An Act providing for artificial intelligence transparency, for duties of covered providers of generative artificial intelligence systems and for large online platforms and generative artificial intelligence system hosting platforms; and imposing a penalty.

This bill, known as the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Act, requires large companies in Pennsylvania that create or host generative AI systems with over one million monthly users to provide free tools for detecting AI-generated content. These covered providers must offer a publicly accessible tool that allows users to upload images, videos, or audio to determine if they were created by the company's AI and to reveal specific technical details about the content's origin without exposing private user data. Additionally, the law mandates that large online platforms and hosting sites make AI-generated content clearly visible to users and prohibits the sharing of certain personal information linked to AI systems. The legislation also establishes penalties for entities that fail to comply with these transparency and disclosure requirements.

Topics ✓ Technology

Bill results