Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 14, 2026

HB 2521: An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in agricultural business development center, further providing for purpose and for limitation on grants.

This bill modifies Pennsylvania's agricultural grant program to help farms dealing with sudden market crashes. It directs the state department to create and manage grants specifically for agricultural operations facing acute market disruptions. Under normal conditions, the bill limits grants to 75% of project costs, but this cap is removed when the state secretary confirms a severe market disruption has occurred. Additionally, the law clarifies that non-cash contributions do not count toward the required matching funds for these grants. The changes are set to take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state funding for agricultural grants to help farms during market disruptions, aligning with supporting essential programs.75% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 1278: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Residential Economic Development District Grant Program and the Residential Economic Development District Fund.

This bill creates a new grant program and fund to encourage local governments in Pennsylvania to build large-scale workforce housing near major economic development projects. To qualify for funding, counties or municipalities must adopt specific pro-housing policies, such as reducing permit fees, allowing higher-density zoning, and eliminating parking requirements, while also approving a project with at least 50 residential units. The program is designed to help areas that might otherwise struggle to attract housing development by providing financial support to those that streamline their approval processes and infrastructure for new construction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new grant program and fund to finance workforce housing, directly advancing state budget initiatives for affordable housing and economic development.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a grant program to fund workforce housing and requires pro-housing policies like higher density and reduced fees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Zoning Tags Economic Development

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 2425: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in career and technical education, providing for Career and Technical Education Curriculum Modernization Grant Program.

This bill creates a grant program to help Pennsylvania school districts and career and technical schools update their educational materials. Eligible schools can apply for funding to buy digital platforms or printed curricula that include lesson plans, multimedia content, and tools for tracking student progress. The amount each school receives is calculated based on its student enrollment and the total state funding available for the program. To qualify, schools must receive a recommendation from their local occupational advisory committee and certify that the funds will be used for approved curriculum modernization.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a grant program to fund curriculum modernization in schools, directly increasing government spending for education.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a grant program to fund curriculum modernization and digital resources for K-12 schools, directly enhancing educational access and materials.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds digital platforms and multimedia content for career and technical education, directly advancing technology integration in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 1285: An Act establishing the Biobonds Innovation Fund, the Biobonds Innovation Fund Loan Program and the Biobonds Innovation Fund Loan Guarantee Program; and providing for duties of Department of Community and Economic Development.

This bill creates the Biobonds Innovation Fund to provide low-interest loans and loan guarantees for companies and research institutions conducting clinical trials for drugs or medical devices in Pennsylvania. The program requires recipients to maintain a physical presence in the state and conduct the majority of their research there while receiving financial support. Money for the fund will come from state appropriations, bond proceeds, loan repayments, and interest earnings, with the Department of Community and Economic Development managing the application and oversight process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new fund using state appropriations and bond proceeds to support medical research, directly advancing fiscal management and funding for essential programs.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a fund to provide low-interest loans and guarantees for clinical trials, directly advancing healthcare research and innovation.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 2478: 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.

This Pennsylvania bill introduces a temporary sales tax exemption for household cleaning supplies, such as brooms, mops, vacuums, and detergents. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal, non-business use during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026. The Department of Revenue will publish online guidance to help consumers understand the rules, and the law defines a purchaser as someone who pays by cash or credit within that six-month period, even if the delivery arrives later.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary sales tax exemption for household cleaning supplies, offering tax relief to individual consumers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 11, 2026

HB 2507: 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; providing for Internship Tax Credit Program; and promulgating regulations.

This Pennsylvania bill creates a new Internship Tax Credit Program designed to help small businesses hire students from local colleges and universities. Under the program, eligible businesses that employ qualified interns in structured, paid work experiences can receive a tax credit to offset their state taxes. To qualify, interns must be residents of Pennsylvania with at least 30 college credits and a 2.5 GPA, while internships must last a minimum of six weeks and pay at least minimum wage. The bill also establishes a waiting list system for businesses that apply for the credit but do not receive it due to limited funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a tax credit program to encourage small business hiring of interns, providing fiscal relief and promoting workforce development.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credits for businesses hiring college interns, enhancing student work experience and educational access.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a tax credit program to incentivize businesses to hire and pay students, promoting paid work experiences and employment opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Higher Education Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 2395: 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.

House Bill 2395 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt individuals from paying sales and use tax on lumber purchased for personal, non-business use. The bill defines 'lumber' as processed hardwood or softwood intended for construction and sets a six-month window starting July 1, 2026, during which this tax break applies. To ensure clarity, the Department of Revenue is required to publish online guidance explaining how to implement this temporary exclusion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary sales tax relief on lumber for personal use, reducing tax burden on individuals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 1306: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in public safety, providing for Hospital Security Grant Fund.

This bill creates the Hospital Security Grant Fund to provide financial assistance to nonprofit hospitals for improving safety and security measures. The fund will be administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and is initially funded with a $10 million transfer from the General Treasury, with potential for additional appropriations in future years. Eligible projects include purchasing security equipment like surveillance systems and metal detectors, conducting vulnerability assessments, providing staff training, and upgrading physical structures to protect patients, employees, and visitors. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis after applications are reviewed by the commission in consultation with state homeland security and police officials.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new grant fund and transfers $10M from the General Treasury to fund hospital security measures, directly increasing public service funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a grant fund to improve hospital security, directly supporting healthcare infrastructure and patient safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Hospitals

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 7, 2026

HB 2493: 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.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exempt sales and use of specific baby items from state sales tax for a family's first child. The new provision allows parents to purchase child passenger restraint systems, formula feeding supplies, and teethers without paying tax, provided the child is their oldest or only child at the time of purchase. The Department of Revenue is required to publish online guidance to help clarify how these exclusions will be implemented. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, or immediately if that date has already passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by exempting specific baby items from sales tax, reducing the financial burden on families.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 1231: An Act to provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of certain agencies of the Executive Department for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

This bill allocates state funding from the General Fund to various executive agencies in Pennsylvania for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. It specifically authorizes money to cover employee salaries, contracted services, supplies, and other operational expenses, while also paying off bills left unpaid at the end of the previous fiscal year. The legislation includes a specific appropriation of $9 million to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural preparedness and response efforts. Additionally, the bill establishes that any unspent funds from these allocations will automatically expire on June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding to executive agencies and essential programs like agriculture preparedness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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