Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 2468: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in Agriculture Innovation Grant Program, further providing for funding.

This bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to receive a minimum of $19 million in state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is designated for the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program, which supports projects aimed at advancing agricultural practices and technologies. By amending the state's Fiscal Code, the legislation ensures this specific funding source is established and available to the department.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly directs $19M in state funding to the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program, strengthening fiscal support for agricultural technology and practices.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2538: 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 proposes a temporary sales tax exemption for individuals purchasing gardening supplies in Pennsylvania. It directly affects residents buying items such as tools, seeds, plants, and flowers for personal, non-business use. The exemption applies only during a six-month window starting from the bill's effective date, which is set for July 1, 2026. Purchasers must pay for these items by cash or credit within that six-month period, even if the delivery arrives later. The Department of Revenue will be required to publish online guidance to help consumers understand how to claim this temporary exclusion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary sales tax exemption for gardening supplies, offering tax relief to residents and reducing the tax burden on personal purchases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 1220: An Act to provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

This Pennsylvania state bill authorizes funding for the fiscal year 2026-2027 for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, public schools, and state debt. It allocates money from the General Fund, special funds, and federal sources to cover operational expenses and pay outstanding bills from the previous fiscal year. The legislation details specific budget amounts for various state departments, including education, health, transportation, and the courts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes and funds state operations, public schools, and debt for the upcoming fiscal year.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Debt & Bonds State Budget

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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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes tax exemptions and special provisions for solar-ready projects, promoting fiscal incentives for green infrastructure.75% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates solar-ready infrastructure for warehouses, promoting renewable energy adoption and clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates solar-ready infrastructure for warehouses, promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 2341: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, establishing the Hospital Security Grant Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

This bill creates the Health Care Facility Threat Assessment Grant Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Health to improve safety and security at hospitals and other medical facilities. The program will use state funds to hire a contractor that provides a standardized digital platform for conducting threat and risk assessments. This platform is designed to collect real-time data, manage workflows for identifying and mitigating risks, and allow healthcare administrators and public safety officials to collaborate on security evaluations. Additionally, the bill imposes new duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to support these efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a grant program using state funds to hire contractors for threat assessments at healthcare facilities, directly increasing funding for public safety services.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a grant program to fund threat assessments, enhancing safety and security for healthcare facilities and patients.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds a digital platform for threat assessments, enhancing cybersecurity and safety in healthcare facilities through technology adoption.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 1277: An Act amending the act of December 1, 1977 (P.L.237, No.76), known as the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act, further providing for title of act, for construction, for definitions and for deteriorated areas; providing for ordinance and resolution limitations; further providing for exemption schedule and for procedure for obtaining exemption; and providing for public registry.

SB 1277 amends Pennsylvania's Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act to update how local governments can offer property tax exemptions for deteriorated buildings and new construction in economically depressed areas. The bill clarifies definitions to include various types of distressed properties, such as those ordered vacated or demolished, and expands the scope to cover mixed-use and converted residential structures. It also establishes a public registry for these exemptions and requires local authorities to hold at least one public hearing before designating specific areas as deteriorated. Ultimately, the legislation provides a standardized framework for municipalities to implement tax relief aimed at revitalizing struggling neighborhoods.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands property tax exemptions for distressed properties, providing tax relief and revitalizing local economies.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands tax exemptions for deteriorated and new housing in distressed areas, aiding affordable housing development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1300: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, providing for exemption from tax for early withdrawal from certain accounts.

This Pennsylvania bill, SB 1300, amends the state's personal income tax code to allow tax-free withdrawals from certain retirement accounts for specific life events. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents who hold these accounts and plan to access funds for a child's birth or adoption or to purchase a first-time home. Under the new provisions, parents may withdraw up to $5,000 individually or $10,000 combined per child, while first-time homebuyers can withdraw up to $10,000. The legislation aligns state tax treatment with federal exemptions for these categories of early withdrawals. These tax exemptions will apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by allowing tax-free withdrawals for specific life events, directly advancing the tax topic area.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allows tax-free withdrawals for first-time home purchases, providing financial assistance that supports housing acquisition.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 1299: An Act providing for a tax credit for retrofitting residential high-rise structures with an automatic fire sprinkler system and associated monitoring or detection devices.

This Pennsylvania legislation establishes a tax credit for owners of residential high-rise buildings located in major cities. The credit is designed to offset the costs of installing or upgrading automatic fire sprinkler systems and associated monitoring equipment within these structures. Owners may receive a credit equal to the amount spent on the retrofitting or up to 100% of their income tax liability, whichever is less. The Office of the Mayor in the respective city will administer the program and determine which buildings qualify as high-rise structures. The tax credit becomes available for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides a tax credit to offset retrofitting costs, offering direct tax relief and fiscal incentives for property owners.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds safety retrofits for high-rise housing, protecting tenant safety and preserving existing housing stock.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 2403: An Act making appropriations from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and from restricted revenue accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in support of the professional licensure boards assigned thereto.

This bill allocates state funding to support the operation of Pennsylvania's professional licensure boards and the State Athletic Commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It provides $68.4 million from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account to the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, along with separate restricted funds totaling approximately $13.5 million for the State Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatry, and the State Athletic Commission. The legislation ensures these organizations have the necessary resources to carry out their licensing and regulatory functions without treating these funds as general government appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $68.4M in state funding to support professional licensure boards and essential regulatory services, directly advancing budget appropriations for public programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $68.4M to fund professional licensure boards, which supports healthcare regulation and professional oversight85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Medical Licensing

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 2408: An Act making appropriations from the State Employees' Retirement Fund and from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund to provide for expenses of the State Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

This bill allocates $43.176 million from the State Employees' Retirement Fund and $2.879 million from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund to cover the operating expenses of the State Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The funds will be used to pay salaries, wages, travel expenses, and other costs for the board's employees and members, as well as to settle unpaid bills from the previous fiscal year. The appropriations apply specifically to the board's duties related to managing the State Employees' Retirement System and the State Employees' Defined Contribution Plan. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, or immediately if that date has already passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $46M to fund State Employees' Retirement Board operations, directly supporting budget appropriations and fiscal management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget