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.
SB 689 amends Pennsylvania's Milk Marketing Law to establish a new "board-established premium" fee on Class 1 fluid milk, directly affecting dairy producers and milk dealers through pricing changes. The bill allows the Pennsylvania Milk Board to set these premiums based on cost of production, price received, and return on equity, with a requirement for legislative review by the Agriculture Committees. If committees fail to disapprove within 30 days (or six session days), the premium is deemed approved. The law also modifies how premiums are collected (via the Department of Revenue), distributed, and exempt from standard administrative review processes, while updating cooperative marketing rules.
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.
HB 1823 amends Pennsylvania's gaming laws to adjust how net slot machine revenue is distributed to the State Gaming Fund. The bill changes the allocation method for funds collected from slot machines, directly affecting state and local programs that receive these revenues, such as community development and public safety initiatives. Key provisions include revising the formulas or categories for distributing the revenue, though specific changes are not detailed in the bill title. This legislation modifies the existing framework for managing gaming revenue without altering the fund's core purpose.
HB 891 creates the Keystone State Apprenticeship Tax Credit Program, providing tax incentives to Pennsylvania businesses that hire apprentices. It directly affects employers participating in approved apprenticeship programs, with preference given to those training disadvantaged youth (low-income individuals aged 16-24) and businesses in key sectors like clean energy, healthcare, and technology. The program allocates up to $10 million annually in tax credits from 2025 to 2030, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry, which will determine eligibility and prioritize employers based on specific criteria like apprentice graduation rates and program novelty. Businesses must register apprenticeship agreements with the department to qualify for the credit.
HB 20 legalizes adult cannabis use in Pennsylvania for individuals aged 21 and older, replacing current medical-only rules with a new regulatory system. It creates the Keystone Cannabis Authority to license businesses, enforce rules for product safety and advertising, and establish the Community Opportunity Fund to support equity programs in communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis enforcement. The bill imposes new sales and excise taxes on cannabis products and creates a Cannabis Regulation Fund to manage revenue. It also includes provisions for expunging certain past cannabis convictions ("Cannabis clean slate") and consolidates medical and recreational cannabis regulations under the new authority.
HB 465 (2025) amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to redirect a portion of commercial property taxes collected by school districts to intermediate units for redistribution. School districts with commercial properties valued at $10 million or more must send increasing percentages of those taxes (starting at 10% in year one, rising to 70% by year seven) to their intermediate unit's commercial property tax group. The intermediate unit then redistributes these funds to school districts based on each district's average daily student enrollment relative to the total enrollment of all districts it serves. This bill directly affects school districts containing high-value commercial properties, changing how their commercial tax revenue is collected and allocated.
SB 554, the Public Official and Public Employee Expense Reimbursement Act, requires Pennsylvania public officials and employees to submit itemized receipts for travel expenses and limits reimbursements to federal per diem rates set by the IRS. It directly affects all Commonwealth employees and elected/appointed officials who incur travel costs while performing duties. The key provision mandates written itemized receipts (listing each cost separately) and ties reimbursement amounts to federal guidelines, preventing excessive payments. This bill takes effect 60 days after enactment and applies to all state government departments, agencies, and branches.
Senate Bill 661 establishes the Animal Cruelty Investigation Fund within the State Treasury. This fund is continuously appropriated to the Attorney General to support efforts against animal cruelty. The money will be used for training and equipping humane society police officers, developing investigation materials, and covering salaries and benefits for attorneys prosecuting animal cruelty cases. It also provides grants to animal shelters for investigations or other permissible expenses. The fund will be financed by a new $25 assessment imposed on individuals who violate animal cruelty laws.
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.
