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Pennsylvania Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 25,815 Active 19,118 In committee 19,098 Passed 5,408 Signed 1,231 Failed 13

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1327: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions relating to retirement for school employees, further providing for definitions; and, in membership, contributions and benefits, further providing for mandatory and optional membership in the system and participation in the plan.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's school employee retirement system by clarifying which organizations are eligible to participate. It specifically prohibits certain school employees and any new hires at non-governmental entities from joining the retirement plan, while allowing current participants at those entities to remain enrolled until they leave their jobs. To manage the exit of ineligible organizations, the bill replaces standard withdrawal liability with a one-time administrative fee capped at 5% of the potential liability, which funds the administrative costs of removing these entities from the system.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1322: An Act providing for solar-ready projects involving a warehouse or distribution center; authorizing tax exemptions and special tax provisions; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; and imposing penalties.

This bill requires new large-scale warehouses and distribution centers in Pennsylvania to be built as "solar-ready," meaning their roofs must be designed to easily accommodate solar panels with at least 40% of the area free from obstructions. To enforce this, the Department of Environmental Protection must ensure new projects include specific structural and electrical features, such as reinforced roofs and pre-installed wiring pathways, while denying waivers based on general costs or market factors. The only way to avoid these requirements is to prove that unique site conditions, like severe shading or poor soil, make compliance technically impossible or excessively expensive, a claim that must be supported by detailed engineering reports and independent cost estimates. Additionally, the legislation provides for tax exemptions on eligible solar retrofit costs and establishes penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2482: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Newly Employed Teacher Grant Program.

This bill creates the Newly Employed Teacher Grant Program to help teachers in their first two years of employment in Pennsylvania by providing funds for classroom supplies. The Department of Education will partner with an online platform to let eligible teachers apply for and purchase approved materials directly. The program requires detailed reporting on how the money is used across different school types and regions to ensure transparency and track its impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2483: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for sessions.

This bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to clarify how the General Assembly conducts its annual sessions. It mandates that the legislature must meet at noon on the first Tuesday of January each year and requires the Governor to call a special session if a general appropriation bill is not passed by the end of the fiscal year. The measure also outlines the specific steps needed to put this change on the ballot for voter approval after it passes both houses of the General Assembly.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2489: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt specific consumer goods from sales tax for a six-month period starting July 1, 2026. The temporary exclusions apply to ceiling fans and related accessories, single-use paper or plastic tableware, and swimwear with sun protection items, provided the purchase is made by an individual for personal rather than business use. To ensure clarity, the Department of Revenue is required to publish a list of exempt items and implementation guidance on its website during this time. The tax relief is limited to the six-month window following the bill's effective date, after which the standard sales tax rules will resume for these products.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2486: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for student mental health supports.

HB 2486 requires Pennsylvania public schools to create and share mental health support policies for students. The bill mandates that educators in grades six through twelve receive four hours of mental health training every five years. Additionally, the state Department of Education will develop model policies, training materials, and a curriculum to guide schools in identifying student needs and providing appropriate support.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2484: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in Commonwealth budget procedures, providing for budget enactment.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Administrative Code to establish a specific rule for enacting the state budget. It directly affects the General Assembly and the Commonwealth's fiscal operations by requiring lawmakers to remain in session on weekdays until a general appropriation bill is passed if one is not completed by the end of the current fiscal year. The key provision mandates continuous legislative activity to prevent a lapse in funding for the upcoming fiscal year, ensuring that state operations can continue without interruption. This change formalizes the process for budget enactment to address potential delays in passing necessary financial legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2485: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school safety and security, providing for trauma-informed records program; and imposing a penalty.

This bill requires Pennsylvania schools participating in the School Safety and Security Grant Program to create electronic records tracking traumatic events and adverse childhood experiences for students. These records, overseen by a mental health professional or trained administrator, will include information from law enforcement, medical providers, and school support services, organized into three tiers of access to protect sensitive data. The legislation strictly limits how this information can be used, prohibiting its use for student admissions or in criminal proceedings while ensuring confidentiality. Schools must develop individualized support plans based on these records to better assist students affected by trauma, with access granted only to authorized staff and parents.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2487: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in child protective services, providing for information for school districts.

This bill requires Pennsylvania's child protective services agencies to notify school principals, guidance counselors, or mental health professionals when a student has recently experienced a traumatic event. The law mandates that these agencies create specific procedures to share this information while strictly prohibiting the disclosure of confidential case details. By enabling schools to monitor affected students, the measure aims to ensure they can provide appropriate support without compromising privacy. The regulations will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2491: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for when provided relating to transportation of pupils and for kinds of transportation and liability insurance; and, in charter schools, further providing for transportation.

HB 2491 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update rules regarding student transportation for public and charter schools. The bill clarifies that school districts must provide free transportation to charter school students within ten miles, mirroring the terms used for public school students, while also allowing districts to use public transit for certain routes. Additionally, the legislation restricts the use of common carriers like buses for transporting kindergarten through sixth-grade students and outlines specific conditions under which walking is permitted instead of providing a ride.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2488: An Act amending the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act, in local taxes, further providing for delegation of taxing powers and restrictions thereon and for limitations on rates of specific taxes.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Enabling Act to increase the maximum allowable rate for local services taxes from $52 to $156 per year. It also grants political subdivisions the authority to exempt residents with low income from this tax, requiring exemptions for those earning under $12,000 if the tax rate exceeds $10, and for those earning under $15,600 if the rate exceeds $52. The changes directly affect cities, boroughs, townships, school districts, and other local governments that levy these taxes, as well as the residents who pay them. The legislation is set to take effect 60 days after it is passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2440: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking, further providing for the offense of unlawful devices and methods.

This bill amends Pennsylvania hunting laws to allow licensed hunters to use bait on private property under specific conditions. The change permits baiting deer to address wildlife disease transmission, habitat degradation, or other purposes set by commission regulations, or through a special permit. It directly affects licensed hunters and landowners by expanding the circumstances under which baiting is legal. The law will take effect 60 days after being passed.