Budget & Taxes

HB 1340 allocates funds collected from Pennsylvania's gaming activities (including state lotteries, fantasy contests, and video gaming) to four state agencies for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Specifically, it directs money from the State Gaming Fund, Fantasy Contest Fund, and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The bill covers both new spending for the upcoming fiscal year and payments for bills incurred but unpaid as of June 30, 2025. This is a routine budget authorization, not a policy change, and it became law on June 27, 2025 (Act No. 9A of 2025).

SB 205 creates two new funding streams for Pennsylvania highway maintenance: a $5 million annual appropriation from the Motor License Fund to counties starting in 2025, and a 55-mill tax on liquid fuels. Counties can use these funds specifically for constructing and maintaining bridges owned by municipalities within their counties. The bill directly affects local governments by providing dedicated resources for bridge infrastructure, a key need for many communities. It amends Pennsylvania’s vehicle code to redirect existing transportation revenue toward this purpose without changing overall tax rates.

HB 1333 allocates funds from specific state accounts (the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and restricted General Fund revenue) to the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. This funding supports the professional licensure boards responsible for regulating occupations like nursing, engineering, and real estate. The bill provides the necessary budget resources for these boards to operate, including processing applications and enforcing licensing standards. As a funding measure, it directly affects the administrative operations of these boards but does not create new licensing requirements or change eligibility for professionals.

HB 242 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Code to expand tax credits for beginning farmers. It creates a new "beginning farmer management tax credit" and clarifies definitions to streamline eligibility. The credit reduces tax liability for new farmers who use management services to start operations. This directly affects Pennsylvania farmers beginning agricultural businesses, making the tax benefit clearer and more accessible.

HB 820 creates Pennsylvania's "Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit," which provides a state tax credit equal to 30% of a taxpayer's federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the same year. This credit directly affects low-to-moderate income Pennsylvania residents who qualify for the federal EITC, applying it against their state tax bill. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers receive a cash refund if the credit exceeds their state tax liability. The bill takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.