HB 1664 establishes a state grant program and a dedicated fund to provide financial assistance for renovating or redeveloping older buildings. The Older Building Redevelopment Assistance Grant Program would offer grants to property owners and developers to update aging commercial or residential structures, with funding sourced from the newly created Older Building Redevelopment Fund. This bill directly affects owners of older buildings seeking to redevelop properties that may lack modern infrastructure. The program aims to support local revitalization efforts through state-funded grants, though the bill remains pending after being laid on the table.
HB 1421 allocates state funding for certain state-aided universities during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It specifies the amount of funding, requires payments to occur at set intervals, and mandates detailed recordkeeping by the universities. The bill also imposes new duties on the Auditor General to review these records and requires universities to submit financial statements. Additionally, it includes restrictions on the use of funds and addresses the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund.
HB 1875 amends Pennsylvania's First Class Township Code to increase tax rate limits for general township taxes from three mills to ten mills and for emergency services taxes (ambulance/rescue) from half a mill to five mills. Township boards must now seek voter approval via referendum if either tax exceeds these new limits. The changes apply to all first-class townships, except those designated as "eligible" under the Fiscal Code. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 985 creates an annual revenue-sharing program where municipalities receive funds based on tax-exempt real property (like schools or nonprofits) within their borders. It establishes the Tax-exempt Property Municipal Assistance Fund to distribute these shared revenues. The Department of Community and Economic Development would manage the fund and determine annual allocations. The bill also repeals outdated provisions related to this tax-exempt property revenue system.
HB 1560 establishes a new Municipal Grant Assistance Program to provide financial support to local governments for community development projects. It creates a dedicated fund managed by the Department of Community and Economic Development, which will administer grant distributions to eligible municipalities. The bill assigns specific responsibilities to the department for overseeing the fund and ensuring grants are allocated according to program guidelines.
HB 1788 amends Pennsylvania's transportation laws to improve oversight of transit authorities and fund infrastructure projects. It requires metropolitan transportation authorities to meet new performance standards for fare evasion, bus routes, and public-private partnerships, with consequences for non-compliance. The bill establishes the Public Transportation Trust Fund (funded by 6.15% of certain tax revenues), the Road and Bridge Project Fund for highway maintenance, and a Sinking Fund for bond repayment. These funds will finance road/bridge projects, while mandatory annual reports to legislative committees will track authority spending and progress toward fiscal goals.
HB 1668 allows first-class cities in Pennsylvania to create property tax incentives for owners of residential high-rise buildings to install automatic fire sprinkler systems and monitoring devices. It directly affects building owners in cities like Philadelphia by offering tax abatements or relief programs to encourage these safety upgrades. The bill amends the Fiscal Code to authorize this approach, focusing on concrete policy changes without mandating specific actions.
HB 1424 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Enabling Act to prohibit local governments from taxing admission fees at recreational campgrounds. It adds a new restriction (section 18) preventing municipalities from levying amusement taxes on guest charges for campground access. The bill also clarifies that camping property rentals aren't considered "places of amusement" for tax purposes. This change affects all local authorities covered by the original tax law, including cities, towns, and school districts.
HB 1058 amends Pennsylvania's State Lottery Law to adjust the minimum percentage of lottery revenues dedicated to senior programs. It reduces the required allocation from 20% (for fiscal years 2019-2025) to 10% for fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2025. This directly affects seniors aged 65+ who receive property tax relief and reduced-fare transit services funded by lottery revenues. The change modifies Section 303(a)(11)(iv) of the law, specifying the new funding percentage starting in 2026. The bill became law on July 21, 2025, as Act No. 37 of 2025.
HB 1574 creates a new loan program and fund to help local redevelopment authorities start community renewal projects. It establishes a Redevelopment Authority Startup Fund to provide low-interest loans for initiatives like rebuilding neighborhoods or revitalizing downtown areas. This directly affects cities and towns with active redevelopment agencies, giving them a new way to finance early-stage projects. The bill amends the Fiscal Code to set up this funding mechanism, changing how these local agencies access capital for urban renewal efforts.
