Budget & Taxes

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 527: An Act amending the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act, further providing for title of act; providing for local taxes in cities of the first class, for prohibition of tax on certain individuals and for reimbursement of taxes; and making repeals.

SB 527 amends Pennsylvania's 1965 Local Tax Enabling Act to establish new rules for cities of the first class (like Philadelphia). It prohibits these cities from taxing salaries, wages, or commissions earned by nonresident workers who perform all duties outside city limits, and limits taxation to work done within the city. The bill requires the state to deduct city taxes from public employees' pay and remit them to the city, while also creating a reimbursement process for non-resident workers who overpay city taxes on income earned within the city. These changes directly affect cities, nonresident workers, and public employers in first-class cities.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits cities from taxing nonresident workers' out-of-city earnings, restricting local tax authority and revenue collection.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 17, 2025

HB 1868: An Act amending Titles 66 (Public Utilities) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in transportation network service, further providing for rates and forms of compensation; and, in taxes for highway maintenance and construction, further providing for allocation of proceeds.

HB 1868 amends Pennsylvania laws governing transportation network services (like ride-hailing apps) and highway funding. It sets rules for the rates these companies charge riders and how they compensate drivers. The bill also changes how taxes collected for highway maintenance and construction are allocated to local road projects. This directly affects transportation network companies, drivers, and local governments managing road infrastructure. The legislation aims to clarify operational standards and funding distribution within the state's transportation framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reallocates highway tax proceeds to local road projects, ensuring fiscal responsibility in transportation funding allocation per statutory amendments.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill changes highway tax allocation to fund local road projects, directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding per summary's focus on highway maintenance/construction proceeds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 1804: An Act providing for the withholding of Commonwealth payments to the Federal Government; perfecting liens on Federal property; establishing a civil cause of action; and prohibiting the Commonwealth from sharing data with the Federal Government that contains personally identifiable information.

HB 1804 would require the Commonwealth to withhold state payments to the federal government, strengthen claims against federal property, and prohibit sharing personal data with federal agencies. It creates a legal pathway for the Commonwealth to sue the federal government over withheld payments or data misuse. The bill directly affects how the state interacts with federal agencies on financial transactions and data privacy. Key provisions include blocking state funds to the federal government, allowing legal action for property claims, and banning the sharing of personally identifiable information.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requires withholding state payments to federal government, defunding federal programs through state budget actions.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sharing personally identifiable information with federal agencies, directly protecting data privacy as a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 23, 2025

HB 1754: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, further providing for definitions.

HB 1754 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to update the definition of "compensation" for personal income tax purposes. It specifically clarifies that "compensation" includes salaries, wages, bonuses, and certain deferred income payments under federal law, while explicitly excluding government benefits like Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), TANF, and retirement payments. The bill does not change tax rates or create new taxes but provides clearer rules for what counts as taxable income under the state's tax code. This technical update primarily affects how Pennsylvania employers and taxpayers report income for state tax filing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes SNAP/Medicaid from taxable income, providing tax relief for low-income recipients85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 7, 2025

HB 1694: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for tax amnesty program for fiscal year 2025-2026.

HB 1694 creates a tax amnesty program under Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code for fiscal year 2025-2026, allowing eligible taxpayers to settle past tax debts without penalties or interest. The program applies to unpaid taxes (including interest and fees) delinquent between 2020-2024, specifically for taxpayers who filed returns but underreported, failed to file, or have unknown liabilities. Taxpayers must file required returns and pay the full tax amount during a 90-day amnesty period ending June 30, 2026, and cannot participate in future amnesty programs. Excluded are taxpayers under criminal investigation or prosecution for tax-related offenses. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses with overdue tax obligations from 2020-2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTax amnesty program waives penalties for past tax debts, increasing state revenue collection without raising rates, supporting fiscal management.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1164: An Act authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a public comment process on and submit to the General Assembly a measure or action intended to abate, control or limit carbon dioxide emissions by imposing a revenue-generating tax or fee on carbon dioxide emissions; and abrogating regulations.

HB 1164 authorizes Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to propose a carbon dioxide emissions tax or fee after following a strict public process. It requires the DEP to hold 180 days of public comment, conduct four public hearings across the state, and submit detailed reports to lawmakers on economic impacts, facility-level emissions, and electricity price effects before any such tax can be considered. The bill directly affects electric generation facilities (like power plants) and electricity consumers by mandating transparency and analysis of how a carbon tax would impact costs and operations. Crucially, it does not impose a tax itself but creates the procedural framework for future legislative action on carbon emissions regulation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes a revenue-generating carbon emissions tax/fee, directly creating a new fiscal mechanism under state tax policy.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill authorizes carbon emissions tax to reduce CO2, directly advancing climate goals and reducing fossil fuel reliance in energy production. Explicitly targets emissions control through revenue-generating mechanism.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes carbon emissions tax/fee mechanism with public process to reduce CO2, directly advancing climate protection goals through emissions abatement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1850: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for teacher tax credit.

HB 1850 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to create a new tax credit for teachers. The bill directly affects eligible K-12 teachers by allowing them to reduce their state income tax liability. Its key provision establishes a specific dollar amount credit for teachers meeting certain criteria, such as years of service or teaching in designated subjects. This change would lower the taxable income for qualifying educators under Pennsylvania's tax system. The bill is currently in the Finance Committee for review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for teachers, reducing state income tax liability, providing tax relief for middle-income educators under Tax Reform Code.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for K-12 teachers, reducing their tax burden and supporting educators financially per bill's direct provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 1778: An Act establishing the Essential Energy Stability Fund Pilot Program to provide limited, off-season utility assistance to eligible low-income households; and making an appropriation.

HB 1778 establishes a pilot program called the Essential Energy Stability Fund to provide limited financial assistance for utility bills to eligible low-income households during off-season periods (outside regular peak billing cycles). The fund would use a dedicated state appropriation to help households manage unexpected energy costs when they might face financial strain. This temporary program is designed to test whether targeted off-season support can improve energy affordability for vulnerable residents. The bill focuses on concrete funding for direct assistance, not broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via appropriation for essential utility assistance program targeting low-income households, directly advancing public service funding under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides financial assistance for utility bills to low-income households, protecting consumers from energy cost strain. Directly supports energy affordability and consumer protection as per topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides off-season utility assistance to low-income households, reducing energy cost burden and supporting housing affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 3, 2025

SB 1033: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for exemptions and special provisions.

SB 1033 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow counties with first or second class status to create property tax exemptions for longtime owner-occupants in neighborhoods where property values have risen significantly due to renovation or new construction. It would permit local taxing authorities to establish uniform tax relief for these residents without increasing overall property tax rates. The amendment requires two legislative passages followed by a statewide vote to take effect. This directly affects homeowners in affected counties who qualify as longtime residents in revitalized areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides targeted property tax relief for longtime owner-occupants in high-value neighborhoods without raising overall tax rates, aligning with tax relief for middle/lower income residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 6, 2025

SB 474: An Act providing for zero-based budgeting relating to the Commonwealth's budget review.

This bill requires Pennsylvania state agencies to review every program from scratch every five years, starting in 2026. Agencies must justify each program's existence, detail costs for minimum vs. current service levels, and assess impacts if discontinued, except for classroom teaching, curriculum, and direct student services in public schools. The Secretary of the Budget will oversee this process, mandating detailed plans from agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in spending. It aims to replace incremental budgeting with a system that evaluates all programs based on current needs rather than historical spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates zero-based budgeting for agencies, requiring cost justification and transparency to promote fiscal responsibility in state spending.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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