Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 3, 2025

HB 2061: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in computer data center equipment incentive program, further providing for application for certification and for eligibility requirements.

HB 2061 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to add new requirements for data center owners seeking tax incentives under the computer data center equipment program. It requires applicants to submit an affirmation that all contractors and subcontractors for construction, renovation, demolition, or similar work (starting July 1, 2025) will pay workers at least the Pennsylvania prevailing wage rate, as defined by the state's prevailing wage law. This applies regardless of whether the project would otherwise qualify for prevailing wage coverage under existing law. The bill directly affects data center developers planning major construction or renovation projects after July 2025 to qualify for tax incentives.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wage for data center contractors under tax incentive program, advancing fair compensation standards for workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 31, 2025

HB 429: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in special funds, further providing for disposition of Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund; and making interfund transfers.

HB 429 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to direct specific transfers from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund to address pension obligations. It requires $670 million to be transferred to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund and $330 million to the State Employees' Retirement Fund by January 1, 2026, as one-time payments to reduce their unfunded pension liabilities. These transfers are separate from the fund's usual purpose of covering emergencies or economic downturns. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania's public employee pension systems, not general state programs or new legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTransfers $1B from reserve fund to reduce pension liabilities, promoting fiscal responsibility by addressing unfunded obligations without new taxes or spending cuts.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationTransfers $670M to Public School Employees' Retirement Fund to address pension obligations, directly supporting teacher benefits and system financial stability.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly funds public employee pension benefits ($670M to school employees, $330M to state employees), strengthening retirement security as part of employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget Public Employees

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 675: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, providing for firefighting personal protective equipment; and imposing penalties.

HB 675 bans the sale or distribution of firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals in Pennsylvania starting January 1, 2028, directly affecting manufacturers, sellers, and distributors of such gear. The law includes an exception if the State Fire Commissioner determines PFAS use is unavoidable and issues official guidance. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for repeat offenses, with fines split equally between the Fire Company Grant Program and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. This bill aims to reduce exposure to harmful PFAS chemicals while maintaining safety standards for firefighters.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS (persistent environmental pollutant) in firefighting PPE, directly reducing chemical contamination in ecosystems and human health, aligning with pollution control and environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans PFAS in firefighter PPE to enhance workplace safety, directly protecting workers from hazardous chemicals per bill's safety-focused mandate.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 523: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to emergency management services, providing for health screenings for firefighters and EMS providers.

SB 523 requires full-time firefighters and EMS providers employed by fire departments or local governments in Pennsylvania to receive comprehensive cancer and cardiovascular screenings every three years. The screenings must cover specific conditions including prostate, lung, skin, and heart health checks, as listed in the bill. Employers must cover all associated costs - including copays, deductibles, and insurance expenses - through existing health benefits or insurance plans. This bill directly affects emergency responders working for public fire departments or municipal services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates employer-covered cancer/cardiovascular screenings for first responders, expanding preventive health access through required coverage of specific conditions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer-covered cancer/cardiovascular screenings for firefighters/EMS, enhancing workplace safety for high-risk occupations95% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 818: An Act amending the act of October 6, 1998 (P.L.705, No.92), known as the Keystone Opportunity Zone, Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone and Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in keystone opportunity zones, further providing for qualified businesses.

SB 818 amends Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) Act to add new requirements for businesses seeking tax benefits. It mandates that businesses making capital investments over $25,000 for facility construction, repair, or renovation must ensure 70% of workers are "skilled craft laborers" (as defined by apprenticeship completion or equivalent experience) and that all workers receive the state-mandated prevailing wage. Violations of these wage requirements - such as intentional nonpayment - require businesses to refund all tax benefits received for that year. This affects KOZ businesses pursuing tax exemptions, deductions, abatements, or credits, directly linking labor standards to tax incentives. The bill integrates Pennsylvania's prevailing wage laws into KOZ tax compliance, effective 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesAdds wage/labor requirements to KOZ tax benefits, restricting eligibility and limiting tax advantages for businesses.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state-mandated prevailing wage for all workers, directly protecting compensation standards under Labor & Employment policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Labor Standards

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Sep 26, 2025

SB 996: An Act amending the act of February 9, 1999 (P.L.1, No.1), known as the Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act, in capital facilities, further providing for administration of redevelopment assistance capital projects.

SB 996 amends Pennsylvania's Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act to change bidding rules for redevelopment projects. It requires at least three written bids for all construction work under $25,000, while projects over $25,000 must pay workers the state's prevailing minimum wage and comply with the Steel Products Procurement Act. The bill also clarifies that all redevelopment projects - regardless of contract structure - are treated as "public works" under Pennsylvania's prevailing wage law. This applies to local governments and developers managing capital projects funded through redevelopment assistance programs. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing minimum wage for projects over $25k and treats all redevelopment as 'public works' under prevailing wage law, directly strengthening labor wage standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 16, 2025

HB 820: 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 providing for working Pennsylvanians tax credit.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit (30% of federal EITC) for low-to-moderate income residents, directly providing tax relief and reducing state tax liability for qualifying taxpayers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates refundable tax credit matching federal EITC, directly increasing disposable income for low-to-moderate income workers, expanding financial benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 141: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions relating to retirement for school employees, further providing for definitions.

SB 141 amends Pennsylvania's education law to clarify the definition of "governmental entity" for school employee retirement purposes. It specifically excludes certain associations (authorized under the Public School Code of 1949 to collect membership dues from public schools) from being classified as "nonparticipating employers" under retirement rules. This change directly affects employees hired after the law's effective date by these excluded associations, ensuring they remain covered under the retirement system if the association maintains active participants. The bill makes a technical definition update with no new funding or program changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies retirement coverage for school employees, ensuring continued benefits for educators by excluding certain associations from nonparticipating employer status.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies retirement coverage for school employees by excluding associations from nonparticipating status, ensuring continued benefit eligibility under employment standards.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1155: An Act providing for community solar facilities; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, electric distribution companies and subscriber organizations; and providing for prevailing wage and labor requirements and for ratepayer protections.

HB 1155 establishes a legal framework for community solar programs in Pennsylvania, allowing multiple subscribers (including renters and low-income households) to share ownership of solar facilities and receive bill credits for the electricity generated. The bill requires electric distribution companies to implement these programs, mandates prevailing wage standards for solar installation workers, and sets protections to ensure subscribers receive guaranteed savings. It directly affects utility companies, community solar organizations, and subscribers - particularly those who cannot install rooftop solar due to housing constraints or income limits. Key provisions include preventing single subscribers from owning over 50% of a facility, requiring at least 50% of capacity to serve small subscriptions (25 kW or less), and ensuring ratepayer costs are managed responsibly.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes community solar framework, mandates utility implementation, requires prevailing wages for solar workers, and ensures ratepayer protections/guaranteed savings. Directly advances renewable energy infrastructure and consumer access t...90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides bill credits to renters/low-income households via community solar, reducing housing-related utility costs, aligning with affordable housing indicators.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wage standards for solar installation workers, directly protecting labor rights and ensuring fair compensation per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 936: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for definitions and for copayments for subsidized child care.

HB 936 modifies Pennsylvania's child care subsidy program by reducing copayments for parents who work in the child care field. It requires that families where a parent or caretaker is employed as a child-care worker or direct support professional (in either family child-care homes or licensed centers) pay no more than 15% of their annual income for subsidized care, regardless of their income level. This change applies to all qualifying child care settings defined in the bill, including family child-care homes (serving 4-6 unrelated children) and centers (serving 7+ children). The policy aims to lower financial barriers for child care workers seeking subsidized care for their own children.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill reduces child care costs for parents working as child-care workers, making employment in this sector more affordable and sustainable, directly supporting labor and employment for this workforce.95% confidence

Tags Children

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