This House Resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study whether Pennsylvania could eliminate property taxes for some seniors. The study will examine options like exempting low-income seniors from property taxes, creating a graduated tax scale based on income, and identifying ways to prevent fraud. It also requires the committee to find alternative funding sources for local governments if property tax relief is implemented. The committee must submit its findings to the General Assembly within 120 days. The resolution does not change any laws but initiates a review of potential property tax relief for older Pennsylvanians.
This bill, HB 2312, would automatically increase Pennsylvania's minimum wage starting December 1, 2026, and every December 1 thereafter. The adjustment would match the percentage increase applied to state officials' salaries under the Public Official Compensation Law, rather than setting a specific dollar amount. Employers across the state would be required to pay workers at least the adjusted minimum wage, with the Department of Labor and Industry overseeing compliance. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed into legislation.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to increase personal income tax rates for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. It raises the tax rate for residents and nonresidents from 3.7% to 9.7% on all income, while maintaining a 3.7% rate for specific income categories. The legislation also clarifies how trust income is taxed by aligning Pennsylvania rules with federal Internal Revenue Code provisions regarding grantor trusts.
This bill designates the Scarlet Tanager as Pennsylvania's official migratory bird, recognizing the species' importance to the state's natural heritage and ecosystems. The legislation formally acknowledges that Pennsylvania supports 17% of the global Scarlet Tanager population during breeding season and provides critical habitat in mature oak forests across the Commonwealth. By establishing this official designation, the bill aims to promote awareness of the bird's habitat needs and underscore the state's commitment to conservation and forest management. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require that every school building attended by students be assigned at least one school nurse, reducing the maximum number of students per nurse from 1,500 to 750. It also adjusts state reimbursement rates for school health services, increasing the per-student funding amount for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Health use up to $3 million in grants to provide feminine hygiene products to students at no cost to school entities, with grant amounts proportional to student enrollment. These changes directly affect school districts, the Department of Health, and students across Pennsylvania's public school system.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Maintenance Organization Act to require health plans to cover basic services when referrals come from direct primary care providers who are not part of the plan's network. It defines direct primary care providers as licensed doctors or advanced practitioners who offer direct care through personal agreements with patients. The rule must be established within one year of the bill's effective date and applies to all health maintenance organizations operating in the state.
HB 336 amends Pennsylvania's 1907 law designating the state flag by adding specific folding instructions for official display. The bill details a five-step procedure to fold the flag, including forming a triangle to display the Commonwealth crest and creating a mirror image fold. It directly affects state officials, the National Guard, and entities handling the flag for ceremonies or display. This procedural update does not change the flag's design or usage rights but standardizes its presentation. The bill was introduced in 2025 and takes immediate effect.
HB 300 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to add explicit protections for religious exercise alongside existing anti-discrimination rules. It directly affects employers, housing providers, and businesses offering public accommodations by prohibiting discrimination based on religion in employment, housing, and public services. The bill updates the law to include religious freedom as a protected category under anti-discrimination provisions. It also clarifies the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's authority to enforce these protections. The amendment does not create new enforcement mechanisms but integrates religious exercise protections into the existing framework of the 1955 Act.
SB 979 would prevent property tax increases for minor home improvements (20% or less of a property’s current assessed value) on primary residences under specific conditions. The bill prohibits assessors from raising taxes if the home has been the owner’s primary residence for at least five years from the improvement date and this is the first time such minor improvements have been made during ownership. It also explicitly excludes normal repairs and painting from triggering tax reassessments. This bill directly affects homeowners in Pennsylvania making small renovations to their primary homes.
This Senate resolution encourages the Department of Community and Economic Development to partner with private businesses and tourism groups to establish a "Pennsylvania Sweet and Salty Trail." The trail would promote tourism highlighting the state's confectionery, snack food, food manufacturing, and agricultural industries, which support thousands of jobs and generate significant economic activity. The resolution is non-binding and focuses on raising awareness of these industries' contributions, not creating new laws or funding.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to create an Accessibility Advisory Board that will review and recommend changes to accessibility standards for buildings. The 11-member board includes people with disabilities, industry representatives, and public members who will evaluate new accessibility code sections based on public health, economic impact, and technical feasibility. The board will conduct a formal review process starting with the 2024 ICC codes, including public comment periods and hearings before making recommendations. Additionally, the bill establishes a dedicated funding account for the board's administrative operations and updates definitions related to accessibility codes within the state's construction regulations.
This Senate Resolution designates April 4, 2026, as "School Librarian Day" in Pennsylvania to honor school librarians and their contributions to education. The measure recognizes the role librarians play in providing students with access to educational resources and teaching media literacy skills. It highlights the importance of school libraries in fostering reading appreciation and academic success while acknowledging the declining number of librarians in Pennsylvania schools. The resolution serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the profession rather than enacting new policy requirements.
