SB 1162 allocates $81.3 million from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry for administering Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act and Occupational Disease Act during fiscal year 2026-2027. It also provides $550,000 to the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Department of Community and Economic Development for its operations during the same period. The bill covers both current-year expenses and payment of unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year ending June 2026. This is a funding measure with no policy changes beyond budget allocation.
HB 2213 establishes a regulatory framework for "skill video gaming" in Pennsylvania, directly affecting businesses that operate or distribute gaming systems. The bill requires licenses from the Department of Revenue for operators, distributors, and establishments, imposes fees, and mandates a central reporting system to track transactions like "coin in/out" and jackpots. Key provisions include banning access for people under 18, prohibiting "miniature casinos," requiring security measures for players, and creating criminal penalties for operating unlicensed systems or distributing to minors. It aims to eliminate illegal gambling devices disguised as skill-based games while leveraging the State Lottery's existing experience in retail gaming oversight.
HB 2202 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to adjust how senior citizens calculate household income for property tax and rent rebates. It changes the definition of "household income" to allow seniors to subtract annual utility expenses (water, sewer, electric, natural gas) from their income when applying. The bill also requires applicants to submit copies of their utility bills as part of their rebate claim. This directly affects Pennsylvania seniors who claim property tax or rent rebates under the Taxpayer Relief Act. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 2198 repeals the Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program from Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971. This bill eliminates tax exemptions and refunds previously available for investments in data center equipment, such as servers, cooling systems, and energy infrastructure. The repeal directly affects computer data centers and their owners/operators who previously qualified for these tax benefits under Article XXIX-D. The policy change removes a specific tax incentive program without creating new provisions. This is a procedural change to the tax code, ending an existing program for data center equipment investments.
HB 2235 creates a nonrefundable Pennsylvania tax credit of up to $6,000 annually for qualified firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) providers. It directly affects individuals who are active volunteers or employees of career/volunteer fire companies, EMS companies, or rescue services as defined under Pennsylvania law. The credit applies to the year a person becomes qualified plus the next five consecutive tax years (2027-2031), and must be claimed on tax returns with proof of eligibility. The credit expires December 31, 2037, and cannot be carried over, sold, or transferred.
SB 1163 provides $2,235,000 in funding from a restricted revenue account to the Office of Small Business Advocate within Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development. The bill allocates these funds specifically to cover the office's operational costs for the fiscal year 2026-2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027). This funding supports the office's existing role in assisting small businesses, though it does not create new programs or change current policies. The appropriation is a routine budgetary action, directly affecting the office's ability to function during the specified period.
SB 1172 provides $31.56 million for the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary activities and $1.793 million for its Center for Infectious Diseases for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill requires the university to maintain specific board composition (with four non-elected members appointed by legislative leaders) and report quarterly on fund usage. It mandates detailed financial reporting to the Department of Agriculture and Appropriations Committees, including how funds reduced costs for Pennsylvania resident students or provided services to Pennsylvania residents. These provisions ensure accountability for state-funded programs at the University of Pennsylvania.
SB 1166 allocates $43.176 million from the State Employees' Retirement Fund and $2.879 million from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund to cover the State Employees' Retirement Board's operational costs for fiscal year 2026-2027, including salaries, travel, and contractual services. It also pays bills incurred but unpaid as of June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects the Retirement Board's budget and staff operations, ensuring funding for both current activities and prior-year obligations. This is a procedural appropriations bill with no new policy changes.
SB 1192 requires Pennsylvania school districts to hold a public referendum for tax increases exceeding the annual index, beginning with the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It mandates that school boards submit specific tax increase proposals to voters at the election immediately preceding the new fiscal year, with approval requiring a majority vote. This directly affects school districts seeking to raise property or income taxes for public school funding, as well as voters in those districts who must approve such increases. The bill modifies existing referendum requirements under the Taxpayer Relief Act to ensure voter consent before certain tax hikes take effect.
SB 1161 is Pennsylvania's 2026-2027 state budget bill. It allocates funding from the General Fund, special funds, and Federal sources to cover operating expenses for state agencies (including the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments), public schools, and the state public debt during the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The bill also includes provisions to pay outstanding bills from the previous fiscal year (ending June 30, 2026). This is a procedural budget measure that directs funding flows, not a policy change.
