Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1314: An Act amending Title 54 (Names) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Compassionate Name Change Assistance Grant Program and the Compassionate Name Change Assistance Grant Fund; and making an interfund transfer.

HB 1314 creates a state-funded grant program to support organizations helping individuals navigate name changes while facing gender or sexual stereotype-based biases. It establishes the "Compassionate Name Change Assistance Grant Fund" with $2 million transferred from the General Fund, which will provide competitive grants to eligible nonprofits, counties, or local governments. These grants fund "eligible assistance programs" offering informational, legal, or emotional support for name change processes. The program requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer applications, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per award, prioritizing organizations serving communities outside major cities or launching new services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2M from General Fund to establish new grant program, directly funding a state initiative per budgetary action.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 137: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in entertainment production tax credit, further providing for limitations.

This bill raises the annual spending cap for Pennsylvania's entertainment production tax credits from $100 million to $125 million. It directly affects film and television producers who claim these tax credits by increasing the total amount the state can award each year. The key change is a new annual limit ($125 million) for credits under Section 1716-D, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not create new credits or alter eligibility rules - only adjusts the spending ceiling. It applies to all entertainment production tax credits awarded in fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases annual spending cap for entertainment tax credits from $100M to $125M, directly expanding state budget allocation for this tax credit program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Tax Credits

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 384: An Act providing for the creation of keystone opportunity dairy zones to facilitate the economic development of Pennsylvania's dairy industry; authorizing expenditures; providing tax exemptions, tax deductions, tax abatements and tax credits; creating additional obligations of the Commonwealth and local governmental units; prescribing powers and duties of certain State and local departments, agencies and officials; and imposing penalties.

SB 384 creates "Keystone Opportunity Dairy Zones" in Pennsylvania to boost the state's dairy industry through tax incentives. It designates up to 30 geographic zones (including up to 15 Class A zones) where qualifying dairy businesses - like processors using at least 75% Pennsylvania milk - receive tax exemptions, deductions, abatements, and credits. The bill requires businesses to operate within designated zones and meet specific criteria, such as using Pennsylvania milk or milk products, and mandates annual certification by the Department of Community and Economic Development. Local governments and the state gain new administrative duties under the law, while dairy farms and processors directly benefit from the tax provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemptions, deductions, and credits to dairy businesses, advancing fiscal support for economic development within state budget framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 1119: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption, further providing for exemption.

HB 1119 amends Pennsylvania's real estate tax exemption rules for disabled veterans under Title 51 of the Consolidated Statutes. It directly affects Pennsylvania veterans who are disabled and own real estate, by modifying the existing exemption provisions. The bill focuses on adjusting how the exemption applies to their property taxes, though specific changes to eligibility or calculation methods are not detailed in the provided context. This legislative action aims to refine the tax relief program for veterans through statutory updates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends real estate tax exemption for disabled veterans, providing targeted tax relief under fiscal policy90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAmends tax exemption for disabled veterans, directly providing property tax relief as a benefit expansion under state law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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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 · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 1028: An Act establishing the Small Business Road Construction Mitigation Grant Program; and providing for duties of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 1028 establishes a grant program to help small businesses affected by long-term public utility road construction projects. It provides financial assistance to qualified businesses (for-profit entities with 10 or fewer employees located in designated "construction mitigation zones" impacted by projects lasting over 90 days) to offset revenue declines caused by traffic disruptions, reduced access, or parking issues. Businesses must apply with proof of significant revenue loss, and grants are capped at actual documented losses or $15,000 per year. The Department of Community and Economic Development administers the program, prioritizes applications based on revenue decline severity and project duration, and requires annual public reporting of recipients and project details.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant program requiring budget allocation to fund small businesses affected by road construction, directly advancing government spending for economic support.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates grants to mitigate business impacts from road construction projects, supporting transportation infrastructure development by addressing economic disruptions during public works.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Tags Small Business

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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 · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SB 407: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption, further providing for definitions and for duty of commission.

SB 407 amends Pennsylvania's disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption law to clarify eligibility rules. It establishes an automatic exemption for disabled veterans with annual household income of $75,000 or less (adjusted every two years using the Consumer Price Index), while requiring additional proof of need for applicants earning above this threshold. The bill defines "annual income" broadly to include pensions, disability payments, and other sources, while excluding certain benefits like Medicare or food assistance. The state commission must publish updated income thresholds biennially in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This directly affects disabled veterans seeking property tax relief by standardizing income-based eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides automatic real estate tax exemption for disabled veterans with income ≤$75k (adjusted annually), reducing tax burden for lower-income group per tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAutomatically exempts low-income disabled veterans from real estate taxes, expanding financial relief and strengthening tax benefit accessibility for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 998: An Act providing for the Nurse Education Capacity Expansion Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

SB 998 would create a grant program to fund expansions of nursing education programs at colleges and universities. It requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer grants for institutions aiming to increase nursing program capacity, directly affecting nursing schools and future nursing students. Key provisions include establishing grant criteria, application processes, and reporting requirements for funded programs. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations committee after committee review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant program funding nursing education expansions, increasing public service spending under budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds expansion of nursing education programs at colleges/universities, directly increasing higher education capacity and access through grant programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing education expansions to increase healthcare workforce capacity, directly strengthening healthcare service delivery through grant program for nursing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 818: An Act amending the act of October 6, 1998 (P.L.705, No.92), known as the Keystone Opportunity Zone, Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone and Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in keystone opportunity zones, further providing for qualified businesses.

SB 818 amends Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) Act to add new requirements for businesses seeking tax benefits. It mandates that businesses making capital investments over $25,000 for facility construction, repair, or renovation must ensure 70% of workers are "skilled craft laborers" (as defined by apprenticeship completion or equivalent experience) and that all workers receive the state-mandated prevailing wage. Violations of these wage requirements - such as intentional nonpayment - require businesses to refund all tax benefits received for that year. This affects KOZ businesses pursuing tax exemptions, deductions, abatements, or credits, directly linking labor standards to tax incentives. The bill integrates Pennsylvania's prevailing wage laws into KOZ tax compliance, effective 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesAdds wage/labor requirements to KOZ tax benefits, restricting eligibility and limiting tax advantages for businesses.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state-mandated prevailing wage for all workers, directly protecting compensation standards under Labor & Employment policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Labor Standards

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