Labor & Employment

SB 101 amends Pennsylvania's Workforce Development Act to improve data access and accountability for local workforce boards. It requires these boards to use new hire and unemployment data (from the state's new hire database) when developing local plans, while allowing written exemption requests. The bill mandates a state-developed "data dashboard" displaying workforce data (like job placements and wages) in an accessible format, with free technical assistance provided by the Department of Labor and Industry. These changes directly affect local workforce development boards, the Department of Labor, and agencies using workforce data for program evaluation and reporting. Funding for the dashboard and technical assistance comes exclusively from the state's unemployment compensation reemployment fund.

SB 162 is an appropriations bill that allocates funds from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. It provides $87,302,000 to the Department of Labor and Industry to cover expenses for administering the Workers' Compensation Act and The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act. Additionally, the bill appropriates $550,000 to the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Department of Community and Economic Development for its operations. These funds also cover any unpaid bills incurred at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

SB 166 is an appropriations bill that allocates funds for the operational expenses of the State Employees' Retirement Board. It appropriates $39,795,000 from the State Employees' Retirement Fund and $5,979,000 from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund. These funds are designated to cover salaries, travel, contractual services, and other costs necessary for the board to manage state employee retirement plans. The appropriations apply to the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and also cover any unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year.

SB 428, known as the General Appropriation Act of 2025, allocates funds from the state's General Fund to support various agencies within the Executive Department. It provides money for their expenses, such as salaries, services, and equipment, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and also covers any unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year. For instance, the bill specifically appropriates $15 million for workforce development programs managed by the Department of Community and Economic Development. Any unspent funds will lapse at the end of the fiscal year.