Technology

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2026

HB 1505: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for standardized testing study; in grounds and buildings, repealing provisions relating to lead testing and providing for lead testing; providing for school facilities; in certification of teachers, further providing for special education certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department, for program of continuing professional and paraprofessional education, for continuing professional education for school or system leaders and for Pennsylvania school leadership standards, repealing provisions relating to permit for classroom monitors and providing for permit for classroom monitors; in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, providing for school district enrollee wellness checks and further providing for procedure when child is truant and for procedure upon filing of citation; in student supports, further providing for policy relating to bullying; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator and for school safety and security training, providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2026-2027 school year, further providing for school safety and security coordinator training and for reporting and memorandum of understanding and providing for school mapping services; in school health services, further providing for health services and for reports and providing for eating disorder awareness and education; in terms and courses of study, providing for use of funds for implementing later school start times, further providing for flexible instructional days and for physical education, providing for recess periods, further providing for economic education and personal financial literacy programs and providing for social media literacy education; in early learning programs, further providing for definitions and for duties of approved providers; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in charter schools, further providing for enrollment, for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions, for enrollment and notification and for enrollee wellness checks; in disability inclusive curriculum, further providing for pilot program; in career and technical education, providing for temporary waiver; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, further providing for individuals eligible for admission; in the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and for Grow Pennsylvania Tuition Waiver Program; in institutions of higher education, further providing for definitions and for agency duties, providing for institution duties and further providing for report; in Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship, further providing for agency; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2026-2027; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year and for extraordinary special education program expenses, providing for temporary assistance program and further providing for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; and, in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability.

HB 1505 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to clarify definitions related to early learning programs. The bill specifically updates terminology used in the existing law to better define what constitutes early learning programs within the state's educational framework. This change directly affects school districts, early learning providers, and state education agencies by providing clearer standards for program classification and reporting under the Public School Code. The bill focuses solely on refining definitions, not creating new programs or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state aid for fiscal year 2026-2027 and establishes student-weighted basic education funding, directly increasing public education resources.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates social media literacy education and expands cyber charter school provisions, indicating support for digital skills and technology access in schools.65% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 10, 2026

HB 2359: 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 definitions, for application for certification, for eligibility requirements relating to sales and use tax refund program, for notification, for eligibility requirements relating to sales and use tax exemption program and for notification and records.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to ban government agencies from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data centers. The law prohibits any contract that restricts the public from accessing information about the construction, development, or location of these facilities. If an agency signs such an agreement, the contract is considered void and unenforceable. The bill defines a data center as a facility used to process, store, or transmit data using computers and software.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prevents NDAs from hiding data center locations, enhancing transparency and public access to critical infrastructure information.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 2006: An Act providing for safety regarding artificial intelligence in companionship applications; and imposing a penalty.

HB 2006 requires developers of artificial intelligence applications designed for companionship (such as chatbots for elderly care or mental health support) to implement specific safety standards. It directly affects technology companies creating these AI tools by mandating safeguards against harmful outputs or privacy breaches. The bill establishes a penalty system, including fines, for developers who fail to meet the required safety measures. This legislation aims to protect users interacting with AI companions through concrete regulatory requirements, not speculative outcomes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates safety standards for AI companionship apps to prevent privacy breaches and harmful outputs, directly protecting user data privacy as required by the bill.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2496: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, providing for pause on data center proposals.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to allow local governments to temporarily halt the submission of new data center development applications. Under the new provision, a municipality can adopt a resolution at a public meeting to pause these submissions for up to 180 days, a period that begins retroactively from the date of public notice. During this pause, local authorities may update their zoning laws regarding data centers, and any applications received while the pause is in effect will be evaluated under the new rules. The legislation defines a data center as a facility primarily used for housing servers or data storage systems with specific backup power and cooling infrastructure.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill allows municipalities to pause data center development, which restricts energy infrastructure growth and limits renewable energy adoption.75% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill allows municipalities to pause data center proposals, restricting development and limiting infrastructure growth.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2198: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, repealing provisions relating to Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program; and, in general provisions, providing for data centers.

HB 2198 repeals the Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program from Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971. This bill eliminates tax exemptions and refunds previously available for investments in data center equipment, such as servers, cooling systems, and energy infrastructure. The repeal directly affects computer data centers and their owners/operators who previously qualified for these tax benefits under Article XXIX-D. The policy change removes a specific tax incentive program without creating new provisions. This is a procedural change to the tax code, ending an existing program for data center equipment investments.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals tax incentive program, eliminating exemptions for data centers, weakening tax benefits.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRepeals tax incentives for data center equipment investments, removing financial support for technology infrastructure development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 2551: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties in general, providing for certain text-based communications prohibited.

This bill prohibits Pennsylvania state agencies from using text messages to collect unpaid fines, fees, or tolls or to notify individuals about such charges. It defines a text-based communication as any written message sent on a mobile device, explicitly excluding standard email. The law applies to all Commonwealth agencies as currently defined by state statute and will become effective 60 days after passage.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts the use of text-based communications for government notifications, limiting a common digital interaction method.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2264: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, providing for virtual power plant program.

This bill requires Pennsylvania electric distribution companies to create and implement virtual power plant programs by July 1, 2027, which allow customers with eligible energy technologies like solar panels or batteries to participate in grid services. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will review and approve these proposals within 180 days, requiring companies to set enrollment targets and include mechanisms for existing demand response programs. Participants can receive compensation for providing services such as peak load reduction, voltage support, and emergency grid services, with special provisions for low-income customers and disadvantaged communities to receive enhanced upfront payments. The program will establish operational rules for when and how often grid events can occur, including limits on event duration and advance notice requirements, while allowing customers to disenroll without penalties for nonperformance.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates virtual power plant programs integrating solar panels and batteries, promoting renewable energy adoption and grid modernization.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes adoption of renewable energy technologies like solar panels and batteries through virtual power plant programs, enhancing grid modernization and customer participation in energy technology.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 95: An Act providing for disclosure of synthetic advertising content and for enforcement.

HB 95 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to require clear disclosure when AI-generated content (like text, images, or videos) is created, distributed, or published. It directly affects businesses, creators, and platforms using AI tools to produce content for consumers in Pennsylvania. The bill adds new definitions, including that "artificial intelligence" means technology creating new content via predictive algorithms, and specifies that disclosures must be "clear and conspicuous" - meaning they must be visible upfront, easy to understand, and match the content's medium (e.g., visible text, audible audio). This change updates existing consumer protection rules to address AI-generated content transparency.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI content disclosure for consumer protection under Unfair Trade Practices Law, aligning with regulatory measures to ensure transparency in technology use.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 1014: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in student supports, providing for bell-to-bell mobile device policy.

SB 1014 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to require public schools to adopt a "bell-to-bell phone-free policy" during the entire school day. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools and students by prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The key provision mandates that schools establish and enforce this policy, though the bill does not specify exemptions or implementation details. The legislation focuses on reducing distractions in classrooms by limiting student phone access from the start to the end of the school day. It is currently pending in the Education committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates phone-free classrooms to reduce distractions, directly supporting learning environment in K-12 schools. No funding cuts or curriculum restrictions; clear intent to strengthen educational focus.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill mandates restriction of personal electronic devices in schools during instruction, limiting technology access and use in educational settings.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2026

HB 2176: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for social media literacy education.

HB 2176 would require Pennsylvania public and nonpublic schools to integrate social media literacy into their curriculum. The bill mandates that state academic standards include specific lessons on social media's mental, psychological, and physical impacts on students, its effects on learning, safe online behavior (including identifying cyberbullying and predatory activity), and personal device security. The Department of Education must develop educational materials and provide professional development for teachers on these topics. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania schools, including public school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools, by adding concrete requirements to student learning standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates social media literacy curriculum integration, addressing mental health impacts and online safety per state standards, strengthening educational content on digital citizenship.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates social media literacy education on safe behavior, cyberbullying, and device security, enhancing cybersecurity awareness and digital rights education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

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