SB 427, known as the General Appropriation Act of 2025, provides funding from the state's General Fund for the expenses of various agencies within the Executive Department. This bill allocates money for salaries, services, goods, and other operational costs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. It also covers any outstanding bills incurred by these agencies from the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. For example, it designates $34 million to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural preparedness and response. Unspent funds generally lapse at the close of the fiscal year.
SB 166 is an appropriations bill that allocates funds for the operational expenses of the State Employees' Retirement Board. It appropriates $39,795,000 from the State Employees' Retirement Fund and $5,979,000 from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund. These funds are designated to cover salaries, travel, contractual services, and other costs necessary for the board to manage state employee retirement plans. The appropriations apply to the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and also cover any unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year.
SB 429, known as the General Appropriation Act of 2025, allocates funds from the state's General Fund to cover expenses for various agencies within the Executive Department. This bill provides appropriations for salaries, services, and goods for the fiscal year spanning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and also addresses outstanding bills from the previous fiscal year. For example, it specifically appropriates $11,921,000 to the Department of Human Services for rape crisis programs. Any unspent funds from these appropriations will lapse at the close of the fiscal year on June 30, 2026.
SB 430, known as the General Appropriation Act of 2025, allocates state funds for the operating expenses of various agencies within the Executive Department. It covers the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and also provides for the payment of outstanding bills from the prior fiscal year. The funding is designated for expenses such as employee salaries, contractual services, and the purchase of goods and equipment necessary for these agencies to perform their duties. For example, it includes specific funding for programs like domestic violence initiatives under the Department of Human Services. Any unspent funds from these allocations will lapse at the end of the fiscal year.
SB 165 allocates funds to the Public School Employees' Retirement Board (PSERS) for its operational expenses. The bill appropriates $61,403,000 from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund and an additional $1,282,000 from the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund. These funds are designated for costs such as employee salaries, travel, and contractual services, enabling the board to manage retirement plans for public school employees. The appropriations cover the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and also address any outstanding bills from the previous fiscal year.
SB 164 allocates $6,752,000 from a dedicated state fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA). This funding is specifically for the OCA's operations during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. The Office of Consumer Advocate works within the Office of Attorney General to represent the interests of consumers. Therefore, this bill directly affects the OCA by providing its operational budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Senate Bill 169 allocates specific funds from the State Gaming Fund, Fantasy Contest Fund, and Video Gaming Fund for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. These funds are designated for the Attorney General, Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The money covers salaries, wages, and necessary operating expenses for these agencies related to gaming oversight and administration. It also provides for the payment of any unpaid bills from the previous fiscal year and prohibits the transfer of money between these allocated funds.
HB 1200 establishes a comprehensive framework for the regulation and treatment of cannabis in Pennsylvania. It creates state-run Pennsylvania Cannabis Stores for sales and a licensing system for private cannabis businesses, including cultivators, processors, and transporters. The bill also provides for the expungement of certain past cannabis convictions and includes provisions for social and economic equity initiatives. It establishes a cannabis excise tax, dedicating revenue to funds for community reinvestment and substance use disorder prevention, and assigns oversight duties to state agencies like the Liquor Control Board.
Senate Bill 168 proposes to allocate funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for its operations during the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The bill appropriates $88,386,000 in state funds for the PUC's general expenses, including salaries and the Bureau of Safety and Enforcement. Additionally, it designates $7,716,000 in federal augmentation funds for specific programs such as Natural Gas Pipeline Safety, Motor Carrier Safety, and the IRA - Transmission Siting Program. These appropriations aim to ensure the PUC has the necessary resources to carry out its regulatory functions and enforce safety standards.
SB 161 allocates funds to support the operations of several professional licensing boards and commissions in Pennsylvania for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025. It provides $72,812,000 from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account to the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, which oversees various professional licenses. Additionally, the bill earmarks specific amounts from dedicated accounts for the State Board of Medicine, State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, State Board of Podiatry, and the State Athletic Commission. These funds are intended to cover the operational costs of these bodies, which regulate professionals in their respective fields.
