Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2025

HB 1649: An Act amending Titles 53 (Municipalities Generally) and 72 (Taxation and Fiscal Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, eliminating school district property taxes; imposing county and school district taxes; establishing the School District Emergency Fund and the School District Property Tax Elimination Fund; consolidating Articles II and III of the Tax Reform Code of 1971; in preliminary provisions relating to sales and use tax, providing for definitions; in taxation generally relating to sales and use tax, providing for exclusions and for transfer to county sales and use tax accounts; in preliminary provisions relating to personal income tax, providing for definitions; and making repeals.

HB 1649 eliminates school district property taxes on residential and commercial properties in Pennsylvania. It replaces these taxes with two new revenue sources: a 2% increase to county-level sales, use, and occupancy taxes (with some exclusions like clothing and candy removed), and a local income tax of up to 1.88% on resident taxpayers' earned income and retirement benefits (excluding Social Security). The bill establishes two funds - the School District Property Tax Elimination Fund (to distribute sales tax revenue to school districts) and the School District Emergency Fund - and requires landlords to reduce rents for tenants by the amount of eliminated property taxes. This directly affects property owners, school districts, and landlords/tenants, shifting funding responsibility from property taxes to broader consumption and income-based taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates school district property taxes while establishing new revenue streams (county sales tax increase, local income tax) to fund school districts, restructuring tax policy for fiscal management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Revenue

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 12, 2025

HB 2027: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in general budget implementation, further providing for executive offices.

HB 2027 creates a new "Public Sector Workplace Safety Equipment Account" within Pennsylvania's General Fund to purchase safety equipment for state employees in high-risk jobs. It directs the Secretary of the Budget to transfer up to $3.8 million in unspent funds from previous years (for agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction) to this account by October 1, 2025. The funds will specifically cover lift kits for healthcare workers handling patients and postural support devices for construction workers, targeting state agencies operating nursing facilities, disability care facilities, and highway construction projects. The bill requires transparency through public notices and committee notifications before any transfer occurs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $3.8M unspent funds to fund safety equipment for state employees, promoting fiscal responsibility through reallocation of existing budget resources.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $3.8M for safety equipment (lift kits, postural devices) specifically for healthcare workers handling patients, directly funding workforce safety in healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates dedicated fund for safety equipment in high-risk jobs, directly improving workplace safety standards for state workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Workplace Safety

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 23, 2025

HB 1424: An Act amending the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act, in local taxes, further providing for delegation of taxing powers and restrictions thereon.

HB 1424 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Enabling Act to prohibit local governments from taxing admission fees at recreational campgrounds. It adds a new restriction (section 18) preventing municipalities from levying amusement taxes on guest charges for campground access. The bill also clarifies that camping property rentals aren't considered "places of amusement" for tax purposes. This change affects all local authorities covered by the original tax law, including cities, towns, and school districts.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly restricts local governments' ability to tax campground admission fees, limiting a potential revenue source for local budgets under the Local Tax Enabling Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 17, 2025

HB 244: 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.

HB 244 exempts the sale or use of alternative fuel vehicles and hybrid vehicles from Pennsylvania's sales and use tax during 2026 and 2027. It directly affects consumers purchasing qualifying vehicles during those years, as well as dealers and the state's tax administration. The bill requires the Secretary of Environmental Protection to certify eligible vehicle models, using definitions from Pennsylvania's existing Alternative Fuels Incentive Act (2004). This creates a temporary tax break for specific vehicle types to encourage adoption during the 2026-2027 period. The exemption applies only to vehicles meeting the defined criteria and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles from sales tax (2026-2027), providing targeted tax relief to consumers purchasing qualifying vehicles per Tax Reform Code.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles from sales tax to promote cleaner transportation adoption and reduce fossil fuel dependence per 2026-2027 tax break.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles from sales tax to incentivize cleaner transportation, reducing emissions and aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExempts alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles from sales tax to promote sustainable transportation adoption, aligning with 'promotes sustainable transportation' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives Electric Vehicles

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 17, 2025

HB 254: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and establishing the Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Station Tax Credit.

HB 254 creates a new tax credit for Pennsylvania residents who install electric vehicle charging stations at their primary homes. It allows eligible taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 100% of the installation cost, up to $2,000 per year, which is refundable if it exceeds their state income tax liability. To qualify, residents must have lived in Pennsylvania for over half the previous year, have a valid taxpayer ID, and install the station at their owned primary residence. The credit applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2025, with the Department of Revenue responsible for implementing guidelines.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit for residential EV charging stations, providing direct tax relief to qualifying PA residents under tax credit administration.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates tax credit for home EV charging stations, directly promoting electric vehicle adoption and clean energy infrastructure investment to reduce fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates tax credit for residential EV charging stations, promoting electric vehicle adoption and reducing transportation emissions - direct environmental benefit through clean energy infrastructure support.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates tax credit for residential EV charging stations, directly promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure adoption and aligning with sustainable transport indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 5, 2025

SB 1084: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and establishing the child adoption tax credit.

SB 1084 creates a new child adoption tax credit under Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971, allowing adoptive parents to reduce their state income tax payments. The bill amends the existing tax code to establish this credit and clarify definitions for tax credit administration. This change directly affects adoptive families in Pennsylvania by providing a financial benefit to offset adoption costs. The credit is a concrete policy change that modifies how state tax liabilities are calculated for eligible taxpayers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new child adoption tax credit reducing state income tax liability for adoptive families, providing direct tax relief under Tax Reform Code.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 979: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in consolidated county assessment, further providing for changes in assessed valuation.

SB 979 would prevent property tax increases for minor home improvements (20% or less of a property’s current assessed value) on primary residences under specific conditions. The bill prohibits assessors from raising taxes if the home has been the owner’s primary residence for at least five years from the improvement date and this is the first time such minor improvements have been made during ownership. It also explicitly excludes normal repairs and painting from triggering tax reassessments. This bill directly affects homeowners in Pennsylvania making small renovations to their primary homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents property tax increases for primary residence home improvements under 20% value, providing tax relief to homeowners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2056: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, providing for miscellaneous provisions relating to recovery audits.

HB 2056 amends the 1929 Administrative Code to add specific provisions for recovery audits, which are processes state agencies use to identify and recover overpaid funds (e.g., in Medicaid or unemployment benefits). The bill directly affects state agencies conducting these audits and individuals or businesses that may have received erroneous payments. Key provisions update administrative procedures for conducting recovery audits, including requirements for documentation and timelines, though exact details are not specified in the title. The bill was referred to the Appropriations committee on November 19, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill updates recovery audit procedures to prevent overpayment losses, promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

Track

signed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 1332: An Act providing for the capital budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 and for limitation on redevelopment assistance capital projects; and making a repeal.

HB 1332 is a state budget bill that allocates funding for capital projects (like infrastructure and public buildings) during fiscal year 2025-2026. It specifically limits the amount of state redevelopment assistance capital funds that can be used for certain projects, replacing previous funding rules. This bill directly affects state agencies managing capital projects and local governments receiving redevelopment funds. The law became effective immediately upon the governor's approval on November 19, 2025 (Act No. 48 of 2025).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for capital projects (infrastructure, public buildings) in FY2025-2026 with a specific limitation on redevelopment assistance, directly supporting budget allocation and fiscal management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 1420: An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate in the Office of Attorney General.

HB 1420 provides funding from a designated restricted revenue account within the state's General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate, which operates under the Office of the Attorney General. This bill directly supports the Office of Consumer Advocate’s existing work representing consumers in disputes with utilities, insurance, and other regulated services. The key provision is a specific financial appropriation to ensure the office has resources to handle consumer complaints and investigations. As a funding measure, it does not create new laws or alter consumer rights but allocates existing state funds to a specific agency. (This is a procedural funding bill, so the summary is concise as required.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates existing funds from General Fund to Office of Consumer Advocate, strengthening public service funding for consumer protection services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget