HB 1758 removes existing rules that prevented employers from disciplining or terminating volunteer firefighters, ambulance staff, or rescue squad members who missed work for emergency calls. It replaces these provisions with a new tax credit program for employers who hire volunteer emergency responders (including firefighters, ambulance personnel, and rescue squad members). The tax credit, available to both private businesses and government entities, helps offset costs associated with employing these volunteers. This bill directly affects volunteer emergency responders and their employers across Pennsylvania by shifting from disciplinary protections to a financial incentive.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Public Safety
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.
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.
HB 1879 amends Pennsylvania's Public Employe Relations Act to clarify that public employers cannot negotiate over certain personal employee data as part of collective bargaining. The bill specifically prohibits bargaining about Social Security numbers, driver's license details, bank information, health data, home addresses, phone numbers, and personal email addresses - except where already covered by existing collective bargaining agreements. This directly affects public sector unions and employers across Pennsylvania, including state and local government workers and employees of nonprofit organizations covered under the Act. The change takes immediate effect upon passage, restricting the scope of topics subject to negotiation.
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.
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.
