Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2194: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for sessions of General Assembly.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution requiring the General Assembly to meet weekdays (excluding state holidays) until a state budget is enacted if it isn't passed by July 31 of any fiscal year. It directly affects state legislators and the Governor, who would need to maintain sessions until a budget is approved. The key change modifies Article II, Section 4 to mandate these extended sessions as a backup to the current process for passing the annual budget. This amendment would not take effect until approved by voters following the standard constitutional amendment process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates timely budget passage to prevent shutdowns, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management without altering tax/spending content.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 2214: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance, further providing for supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance; and, in taxes for highway maintenance and construction, further providing for imposition of tax.

HB 2214 creates a new annual $5 million fund from Pennsylvania's Motor License Fund to support municipal bridge maintenance. It directs counties to distribute these funds based on the relative size of their county-owned bridges (using data from the National Bridge Inspection Program), and allows counties to use the money for bridges owned by municipalities within their jurisdiction. The bill also adds a 55-mill tax on liquid fuels, with 2% of the proceeds allocated to this bridge maintenance fund using the same size-based distribution method. Counties cannot receive less funding than the previous year unless their bridge size decreases or total tax revenue drops. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania counties and municipalities responsible for bridge upkeep.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new 55-mill fuel tax to fund bridge maintenance, allocating 2% of revenue to essential infrastructure. Directly funds public service via tax.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates $5M annual fund from Motor License Fund for municipal bridge maintenance, directly funding transportation infrastructure as specified in bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1164: An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate in the Office of Attorney General.

SB 1164 allocates $7.8 million from a restricted revenue account in Pennsylvania's General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate within the Attorney General's office for fiscal year 2026-2027. This funding covers the office's operational costs during the 2026-2027 budget period, starting July 1, 2026. The bill is purely procedural, providing budgetary support without creating new policies or affecting specific consumer regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $7.8M from General Fund to Office of Consumer Advocate for operational costs, directly funding a state office's budget without policy changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1171: An Act providing for funding for State-related universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

SB 1171 provides funding for Pennsylvania's four state-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln) for fiscal year 2026-2027. It requires monthly payments based on estimated costs submitted by each university, mandates detailed expenditure reports to the Secretary of Education and Auditor General, and mandates audits to ensure funds are used only for permitted purposes. The bill specifically restricts University of Pittsburgh funds from supporting environmental law clinics and limits them to instruction, student services, and community outreach. It also establishes recordkeeping requirements and financial reporting standards aligned with state and federal guidelines.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides dedicated funding for state universities (core public services) via appropriations, mandates proper financial reporting, and restricts misuse - aligns with funding essential programs and fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides FY2026-2027 funding for Pennsylvania's state-related universities (higher education), mandating proper use through reporting and audits. Restriction on one clinic doesn't negate overall funding support for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1168: An Act making appropriations from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

This bill appropriates $98.1 million from Pennsylvania's state General Fund and $5.383 million in federal funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for its fiscal year 2026-2027 operations. The funds cover the PUC's salaries, administration, and enforcement activities, including the Bureau of Safety and Enforcement. Specifically, the federal funds are designated to enforce natural gas pipeline safety regulations under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act. The bill prohibits reimbursing these funds to utilities, ensuring the money directly supports the PUC's regulatory functions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $98.1M state and $5.383M federal funds to fund PUC operations, salaries, and safety enforcement - directly advancing fiscal management and funding essential state agency functions.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds $5.383M federal for pipeline safety enforcement under Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure safety compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 2234: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in malt beverage tax, further providing for limited tax credits and providing for spent grain donation tax credit.

HB 2234 creates a tax credit for Pennsylvania breweries that donate spent grain byproduct (leftover grain from brewing) to local farms. Breweries can claim a credit of $0.16 per pound of dry weight donated, up to $30,000 annually or their total tax liability, if the grain is delivered to farms within 100 miles. The credit applies to donations made to "eligible agricultural operations" engaged in normal farming activities under Pennsylvania law. Applications must be submitted by February 1 each year for the prior year's donations, with the Department of Revenue reviewing eligibility and coordinating with the Liquor Control Board. This directly benefits breweries and farms participating in the program by reducing brewery tax bills while repurposing brewing waste.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for breweries ($0.16/lb spent grain donation), reducing taxable income under Tax Reform Code - direct tax relief provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2195: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and establishing the child adoption tax credit.

HB 2195 establishes a $1,000 tax credit for Pennsylvania resident individuals who adopt a child under 18 years old in the year the adoption is finalized. The credit applies only once per adopted child and may be claimed jointly by filing spouses, but not for children who are the spouse's biological child. To claim the credit, taxpayers must submit proof with their tax return, and the Department of Revenue must annually report usage statistics (including total claims and amounts) to the General Assembly starting in 2027. The credit applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes $1,000 adoption tax credit, reducing taxable income for adoptive parents and providing direct tax relief per Tax Reform Code amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1174: An Act providing for the capital budget for fiscal year 2026-2027; itemizing public improvement projects, furniture and equipment projects, transportation assistance, flood control projects, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission projects and Manufacturing Fund projects leased or assisted by the Department of General Services and other State agencies, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing the incurring of debt without the approval of the electors for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed, acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services and other State agencies; authorizing the use of current revenue for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed, acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services and other State agencies stating the estimated useful life of the projects; and making appropriations.

SB 1174 is Pennsylvania's capital budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, allocating over $32 billion for public infrastructure projects across state agencies. It directly affects agencies like the Department of Agriculture (funding Penn State research facilities and animal labs), Environmental Protection (flood control), and the Fish and Boat Commission, by authorizing debt financing for construction, renovations, and equipment. The bill itemizes specific projects - such as a $50 million plant science facility at Penn State and a $25 million equine lab - with total funding split across categories including public improvements ($32.3B), furniture/equipment ($917M), and transportation ($2.6B). It also permits using current revenue for certain projects, like the Manufacturing Fund ($10M for Department of Corrections facilities), without voter approval for debt.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $32B for state infrastructure projects via debt/current revenue, directly advancing public spending and fiscal management under budget topic.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates $32B capital budget with transportation assistance, debt financing for infrastructure projects, and itemizes transportation-related funding in title/summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Debt & Bonds State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 2247: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school finances, further providing for school districts lying in more than one county or in more than one municipality and limitation on total tax revenues.

HB 2247 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require school districts spanning multiple counties or municipalities to set uniform tax rates across their entire district. The bill provides four methods for achieving this, including calculating rates based on market values (not exceeding 75% of property value) or using a single tax rate if jurisdictions share consistent assessment standards. This change directly affects multi-jurisdictional school districts, reducing disparities in how property taxes are applied across county or municipal lines. The bill standardizes tax collection without altering overall tax burdens on property owners.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly imposes a 'limitation on total tax revenues' for multi-jurisdictional school districts, directly restricting tax revenue collection.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 12, 2025

HB 2099: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for Delayed Payment Plan Program; establishing the Delayed Payment Plan Program Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

HB 2099 establishes a new Delayed Payment Plan Program to help eligible Pennsylvania residents attend specific colleges by covering tuition costs in exchange for paying a portion of their future income. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), requires students to agree to remain in Pennsylvania for 10 years after graduation (or until tuition is repaid) and study in high-need fields. It uses a dedicated fund financed by state appropriations, private donations, and income payments from participants, with administrative costs capped at $400,000 in the first year. Initially targeting 15 community colleges and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology for the 2025-2026 academic year, it may expand to other state institutions starting in 2026-2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes state-funded program via appropriations, allocating budget resources to support higher education access through dedicated fund financing.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes state-funded tuition coverage program to expand higher education access for eligible students in high-need fields, using state appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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