Budget & Taxes

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 12, 2026

SR 216: A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an audit of the medical assistance programs of the Commonwealth and provide a report to the General Assembly.

This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to audit the state's medical assistance programs (including Medicaid) within 18 months. The audit must examine actuarial standards, whether past federal audit recommendations were adopted (like those from 2017 and 2024), and analyze high-risk areas for potential fraud. It requires the committee to report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, focusing on program efficiency, cost savings, and fraud prevention. The resolution directly affects state agencies providing medical assistance and the committee conducting the audit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates audit for Medicaid efficiency, cost savings, and fraud prevention, promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1087: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in liquid fuels and fuels tax, further providing for electric vehicle road user charge.

SB 1087 creates a mileage-based road user charge for electric vehicles (EVs) in Pennsylvania, replacing the current gas tax for EVs. It specifically exempts military personnel on active duty stationed outside Pennsylvania from this charge during their overseas assignment. The bill also establishes a refund process for EV owners who qualify for the military exemption, allowing them to apply for reimbursement of charges paid during their eligible overseas duty period. This policy directly affects EV owners who are military members stationed out of state, adjusting their tax obligations based on residency during service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill replaces gas tax with mileage-based charge for EVs to maintain road funding revenue, promoting fiscal responsibility in transportation infrastructure financing.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReplaces gas tax disincentive for EVs with mileage charge, promoting cleaner transportation adoption and aligning with environmental goals.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationReplaces gas tax with mileage-based charge for EVs to fund road infrastructure, ensuring continued transportation funding as EV adoption grows.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts active-duty military on overseas assignment from EV road user charge and provides refund process, directly benefiting veterans with financial relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 2084: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for comparison tool; providing for Pennsylvania Promise Program; and establishing the Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund.

HB 2084 establishes the Pennsylvania Promise Program, providing scholarships for tuition, fees, and room and board to eligible Pennsylvania residents attending college. It directly affects two groups: students under 24 (or active military) who must be Pennsylvania residents, have a high school diploma, and complete the FAFSA; and adult learners 24 or older seeking reeducation with similar requirements. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency administers the program and a dedicated fund, covering tuition up to the state's maximum in-state rate and room and board based on agency standards. The program applies to community colleges, state-owned institutions, state-related universities, and Thaddeus Stevens College.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes dedicated fund for tuition scholarships, increasing state budget allocation for public education programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state-funded college scholarships for tuition/fees/room/board, expanding access to higher education for PA residents meeting income/FAFSA criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 5, 2026

HB 2110: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, repealing provisions relating to expenditure of public funds for abortions limited; and abrogating a regulation.

HB 2110 repeals existing restrictions on using public funds for abortions under Pennsylvania's Human Services Code. It removes Section 453, which previously limited state/local government funding for abortions except in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest (with reporting requirements). The bill also abrogates a related regulation (55 Pa. Code § 1163.62(a)). This change directly affects public assistance programs and healthcare providers receiving state funds, eliminating the prior legal barriers to funding abortion services. The policy shift removes specific restrictions but does not establish new funding rules for public assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals restrictions on public funding for abortions, enabling state funds to cover more abortion services under public assistance programs, expanding government healthcare spending.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals restrictions on public funding for abortions, expanding access to abortion services under public assistance programs per Human Services Code.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2142: An Act repealing the act of June 9, 1936 (Sp.Sess.1, P.L.13, No.4), entitled "An act imposing an emergency State tax on liquor, as herein defined, sold by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; providing for the collection and payment of such tax; and imposing duties upon the Department of Revenue and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board."

HB 2142 repeals a 1936 law that imposed an 18% tax on liquor sold by Pennsylvania's state-run liquor stores (operated by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board). The repealed law defined "liquor" and required the Board to collect the tax from customers and remit it to the state treasury, with specific reporting procedures. This bill eliminates the tax requirement and its associated administrative rules, meaning the state will no longer collect this specific tax from liquor sales at state stores. The repeal affects the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's operations and the state's revenue system for this historical tax.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals 18% tax on state liquor sales, eliminating a revenue source and reducing state tax income from this specific tax.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 15, 2025

SB 1115: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, providing for Jazz Foundation of America plate; in fees, further providing for payments to special funds; and establishing the Jazz Foundation of America Fund.

This bill creates a specialty license plate for Pennsylvania vehicles featuring a jazz-themed design (saxophone, f-hole, trombone on black background) and establishes the Jazz Foundation of America Fund. Vehicle owners who pay a $62 fee (in addition to standard registration) for the plate will contribute $32 per plate to the new fund. The fund will provide grants to nonprofits supporting jazz and blues musicians in Pennsylvania, specifically for financial assistance and performance opportunities within the state. The bill directly affects vehicle owners seeking the specialty plate and benefits local jazz/blues musicians through grant funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $32/plate fee revenue directly funding jazz musician grants via new special fund, advancing fiscal allocation for cultural programs.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 9, 2026

HB 2127: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in waterfront development tax credit, further providing for waterfront development organizations, for waterfront development projects, for tax credit and for limitations.

HB 2127 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to adjust tax credit rules for waterfront development projects. It increases the maximum tax credit for businesses from 75% to 90% of their contribution and doubles the annual cap on total credits from $5 million to $10 million. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to review applications and renewals from waterfront development organizations within 60 days and limits contributions used for future maintenance to no more than 15%. These changes directly affect businesses contributing to waterfront development projects and the organizations managing these projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases business tax credits (75%→90%) and doubles annual cap ($5M→$10M), providing tax relief for waterfront development projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 9, 2025

HB 2091: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for Federal funds oversight.

HB 2091 requires Pennsylvania state agencies to submit detailed pre-acceptance reports to the Governor, General Assembly, Auditor General, and other oversight bodies before taking federal funds. These reports must include program details, performance goals, funding timelines, cost breakdowns (personnel, maintenance, etc.), and analysis of how federal requirements impact state operations. Agencies must also establish a public transparency portal showing daily federal spending and use federal funds to offset existing state costs - rather than creating new programs - while ensuring no budget deficit if federal funding ends. The bill mandates quarterly updates to oversight bodies and requires reporting of fraud to state and federal agencies like the Attorney General and U.S. Inspector General.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires detailed federal fund reporting and transparency per Fiscal Code, promoting fiscal responsibility in state spending oversight.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 4, 2025

SB 1102: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for the Budget Impasse Reimbursement Program and for grants to certain eligible entities; and establishing the Budget Impasse Reimbursement Restricted Account.

SB 1102 creates a reimbursement program for Pennsylvania entities affected by a specific budget impasse period (July 1-November 12, 2025). It provides grants to eligible school districts, counties, human services providers, and other Commonwealth-funded organizations that received 2024-2025 fiscal year funding directly from the state. Eligible entities may receive reimbursement for documented financing costs or lost interest earnings directly tied to the budget delay. The Office of the Budget administers the program, with applications due within 90 days of the bill’s effective date, using funds from a newly established restricted account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates reimbursement program for entities affected by budget impasse, directly addressing fiscal management and providing funds to mitigate delays in state funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 5, 2025

SB 1106: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credits, further providing for definitions, for applicability and for expiration.

SB 1106 amends Pennsylvania's PA EDGE tax credit program to clarify eligibility for companies building specific facilities. It defines a "project facility" as either a petrochemical or fertilizer plant using dry natural gas with a $400 million minimum investment or a power generation facility that adds to the grid. To qualify, a company must invest $400 million, create 800 new permanent jobs, pay prevailing wages, and make good-faith efforts to recruit local workers during construction. The tax credits will apply to dry natural gas purchases from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2052, expiring at the end of 2052.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends PA EDGE tax credit program to expand eligibility for business incentives, strengthening tax incentive policy for specific economic development projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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