Budget & Taxes (Procurement)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 1772: 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 adds a new sales and use tax exemption for specific agricultural and horticultural products in Pennsylvania. It excludes from tax the retail sale or use of fruit seeds, vegetable seeds, fruit plants, vegetable plants, fruit trees, and other seeds, plants, or trees intended for human consumption. This change directly affects retailers selling these items and consumers purchasing them for personal gardening or food production. The exemption becomes effective 60 days after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates sales tax exemption for agricultural products, providing tax relief to consumers purchasing seeds/plants for food, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 9, 2025

HB 1578: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption, further providing for duty of commission.

HB 1578 requires Pennsylvania's commission to create a process for preapproving disabled veterans for real estate tax exemptions. This allows veterans waiting for final U.S. Veterans Affairs certification of a 100% disability or those purchasing a new home to qualify for the exemption before the VA finalizes their case. The bill directly affects disabled veterans in Pennsylvania who are applying for this tax benefit under these specific circumstances. The commission must develop this process, and the law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief for disabled veterans via expedited real estate tax exemption process, aligning with tax relief indicators for lower-income groups.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransPreapproves real estate tax exemptions for disabled veterans awaiting VA certification, reducing wait times and expanding access to benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 23, 2025

SB 62: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, establishing the Redevelopment Authority Startup Loan Program and the Redevelopment Authority Startup Fund.

SB 62 establishes a new $10 million Redevelopment Authority Startup Fund within Pennsylvania's state treasury, funded by a $10 million transfer from the General Fund. It creates a loan program allowing qualified local redevelopment authorities in smaller counties (non-first/second class) to receive startup loans of up to $500,000 at 2% interest, repayable over 10 years. These loans can be used exclusively for purchasing, redeveloping, or remediating residential or commercial properties, but not for operating expenses or debt refinancing. The program aims to support economic development in underserved communities by providing low-cost capital through a revolving fund that replenishes with repayments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReallocates $10M from General Fund to fund redevelopment loans, supporting targeted economic development spending within state budget management.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes $10M fund for residential redevelopment loans, enabling housing development in smaller counties through affordable financing for property redevelopment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget Community Development Mortgages Property Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 484: 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.

SB 484 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to exclude qualifying solar energy systems from state sales and use tax. It exempts the retail sale or use of solar systems (including components) that meet national and industry standards for equipment, installation, and performance. The Department of Revenue will create regulations defining these standards, covering systems used for water heating, space heating, cooling, or other solar applications. This policy directly affects consumers and businesses purchasing compliant solar installations by reducing their upfront costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts solar systems from sales/use tax, providing tax relief for consumers and promoting renewable energy investment per fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts solar energy systems from sales tax, reducing consumer costs and directly promoting renewable energy adoption per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts solar energy systems from sales tax to promote clean energy adoption, directly advancing environmental conservation through renewable energy incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Solar

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 10, 2025

HB 1584: An Act amending the act of June 30, 1981 (P.L.128, No.43), known as the Agricultural Area Security Law, further providing for purchase of agricultural conservation easements.

HB 1584 amends Pennsylvania's Agricultural Area Security Law to expand state funding for purchasing conservation easements. This allows the state to acquire land protections from farmers and landowners, preventing development on farmland. The key mechanism increases the state's capacity to secure these easements through dedicated funding, directly affecting agricultural landowners who may sell such protections to keep their land in farming use. The bill aims to preserve working farmland by making it easier for the state to protect agricultural areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly expands state funding for agricultural conservation easements, increasing government spending on farmland preservation programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands state funding for conservation easements to prevent farmland development, directly preserving agricultural land as a natural resource conservation measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Conservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 147: An Act establishing the Near Zero Emission Truck Incentive Program and the Near Zero Emission Truck Incentive Fund; and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Transportation.

SB 147 creates a program offering financial incentives to Pennsylvania truck owners and fleets purchasing near-zero emission trucks (diesel models from 2010 or later meeting EPA standards). It provides grants covering either the federal excise tax on new trucks or 6% of the used truck price (up to $5,000) to offset costs, but requires trading in a pre-2010 diesel truck that is titled and registered in Pennsylvania. The program, managed by the Department of Transportation, operates on a first-come, first-served basis with funds from a dedicated state incentive fund. Truck owners must register the new vehicle in Pennsylvania for at least two years to qualify for the grant.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded incentives (up to $5,000) to offset truck purchase costs, directly allocating state budget resources to support clean truck adoption through the Incentive Fund.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill incentivizes near-zero emission truck adoption, reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation and promoting clean energy infrastructure through financial grants and trade-in requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes reduced emissions by incentivizing near-zero emission trucks and requiring trade-in of high-pollution pre-2010 diesel vehicles.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates DOT-managed incentives for near-zero emission trucks, promoting sustainable vehicle adoption and reducing emissions in transportation sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Freight Transportation Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 361: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for Collaborative Care Model and Primary Care Behavioral Health Model Implementation Program.

HB 361 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to create a grant program supporting integrated behavioral health care in primary care settings. It provides funding for primary care physicians and practices to cover initial costs of implementing two evidence-based models: the Collaborative Care Model (with psychiatric consultants and care managers) and the Primary Care Behavioral Health Model (with behavioral health professionals on-site). Grants can be used for hiring staff, contracting specialists, purchasing software, and building patient registries, with priority given to rural providers and practices in counties with high suicide or overdose rates. The bill also establishes six regional technical assistance centers to support implementation across Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded grant program for behavioral health integration in primary care, increasing public service funding per Fiscal Code amendment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates grant program funding integrated behavioral health models in primary care, directly supporting mental health services through staff hiring and specialist contracts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Mental Health Primary Care Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 815: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in realty transfer tax, further providing for excluded transactions; and, in local real estate transfer tax, further providing for imposition.

SB 815 adds an exclusion to Pennsylvania’s state real estate transfer tax for first-time home buyers purchasing single-family residences. It directly affects individuals who have never owned a single-family home (including mobile homes or condos) in Pennsylvania or another state and will reside in the property. The bill defines "first-time home buyer" as someone living in Pennsylvania, domiciled in the home, and without prior ownership of similar properties. This exclusion applies only to the state tax, not local real estate transfer taxes, and takes effect 60 days after enactment. The bill is currently pending in committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for first-time home buyers by excluding them from real estate transfer tax, reducing burden on lower/middle-income residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes first-time home buyers from real estate transfer tax, reducing purchase costs and promoting affordable homeownership for qualifying buyers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Homeownership Property Taxes

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 828: An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Buy American Grant Program and the Buy American Grant Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

SB 828 creates a program that reimburses Pennsylvania local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) for up to 20% of the cost of purchasing "union-made" vehicles. A vehicle is "union-made" if it was assembled in the U.S. at a facility operating under a collective bargaining agreement. The program, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, uses a state fund financed by state appropriations and other sources, with grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. Local governments must apply for reimbursement and provide proof the vehicles meet the "union-made" definition.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses state appropriations to fund a new grant program for local governments, increasing targeted government spending under budget management.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates grants for 'union-made' vehicles (assembled under collective bargaining), directly advancing labor rights and supporting unionized workplaces through procurement incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationReimburses local governments for union-made vehicle purchases, directly funding transportation fleet procurement under transportation infrastructure context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Collective Bargaining Vehicle Registration

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 24, 2025

HB 1811: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in property and buildings, further providing for price paid for acquisitions and improvements.

HB 1811 sets a $400 per acre maximum limit for the Pennsylvania Game Commission when purchasing land for game conservation in counties classified as sixth, seventh, or eighth class. This directly affects the Game Commission’s land acquisition costs for wildlife management in smaller counties. The bill clarifies that this price limit applies exclusively to these specific county classifications, ensuring purchases align with local market values while controlling expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill caps Game Commission land acquisition costs at $400/acre, controlling government spending and promoting fiscal responsibility per summary.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentSets $400/acre cap on conservation land purchases, restricting Commission's ability to acquire land at market rates for wildlife management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Conservation Wildlife

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