Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1624: An Act prohibiting certain covered entities and service providers from collecting and processing location information of individuals without consent; providing for enforcement by Attorney General; establishing a private right of action; and prescribing penalties.

HB 1624 would require companies and service providers (like apps or websites) to obtain explicit permission before collecting or using people's location data. It directly affects digital services that track user movements, such as navigation apps or location-based advertisers. The law establishes penalties for violations, allows individuals to sue companies that break the rule, and gives the Attorney General authority to enforce it. Violations could result in fines, with the bill specifying these enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires explicit consent for location data collection, strengthening user privacy protections and aligning with data protection standards in digital services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Digital Government

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 924: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to Public Utility Code, further providing for definitions; and providing for Internet neutrality.

HB 924 amends Pennsylvania's Public Utility Code to establish internet neutrality protections for residents. It prohibits internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking lawful content, impairing traffic based on content, engaging in paid prioritization, or using deceptive marketing practices. The bill defines key terms like "broadband Internet access service" and requires ISPs to clearly disclose service details to customers. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will enforce these rules, and violations would be considered unfair trade practices under existing consumer protection law. This applies to all ISPs operating broadband services in Pennsylvania, directly affecting how they manage internet traffic for consumers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits ISP blocking, paid prioritization, and deceptive practices - directly advancing internet neutrality and consumer protection in digital access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 880: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for access device security.

SB 880 amends Pennsylvania's public assistance laws to improve security for recipients' benefit access devices (like EBT cards). It requires recipients to report stolen devices immediately and mandates new security measures, including replacing magnetic-strip cards with chip technology, adding transaction alerts via text/email, and creating a mobile app feature to lock/unlock cards. The bill also establishes streamlined reporting procedures for theft and targets outreach to educate recipients on preventing fraud. These changes directly affect public assistance recipients who use electronic benefit cards to access food, cash, or other support. The law aims to reduce financial harm from card theft and skimming during normal transactions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyReplaces magnetic strips with chip tech, adds transaction alerts, and mobile app security features to enhance cybersecurity and data privacy for benefit cards.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Sep 4, 2025

SB 986: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credits, providing for Pennsylvania space economy.

SB 986 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to create a new tax credit under the PA EDGE economic development program specifically for businesses in the space economy. This provision would allow eligible space industry companies - such as those involved in satellite manufacturing, launch services, or space-related research - to claim tax credits for job creation and capital investments within Pennsylvania. The credits would reduce these businesses' state income tax liability, aiming to incentivize growth in the state's emerging space sector. The bill is currently referred to the Finance committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits for space industry businesses, reducing their state income tax liability under PA EDGE program to incentivize economic development.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates tax credits for space industry businesses (satellite manufacturing, launch services), directly promoting growth in technology sector through economic incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Sep 5, 2025

SB 991: An Act providing for a permitting process for data center siting; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Environmental Protection.

SB 991 creates a streamlined permitting process for data centers in Pennsylvania, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify at least 15 preapproved sites within 90 days - including at least five on decommissioned power generation facilities. Developers must submit location and energy source details to the DEP, pay a $10,000 fee, and receive a "notice to proceed" within three days to begin preliminary site work. The bill directly affects data center developers, the DEP (which gains new duties), and communities hosting decommissioned power sites. It aims to accelerate approvals by standardizing permits for data centers, power infrastructure, and transmission systems on designated sites.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStreamlines data center permitting, facilitating tech infrastructure development without restrictions on privacy or access.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1625: An Act establishing the Keystone Artificial Intelligence Authority within the Department of Community and Economic Development; providing for the duties of authority and its governing board; providing for duties of other entities; establishing the Artificial Intelligence Permitting System Pilot Program within the Department of Environmental Protection; establishing the Keystone Artificial Intelligence Development Fund; and providing for sovereign immunity.

HB 1625 would create the Keystone Artificial Intelligence Authority within the Department of Community and Economic Development to develop and oversee AI policy. It establishes an AI Permitting System Pilot Program under the Department of Environmental Protection for reviewing AI projects and creates the Keystone AI Development Fund to support AI innovation. These provisions would directly affect state agencies implementing the Authority, the pilot program, and the fund, primarily impacting businesses and developers engaging with AI systems requiring permits. The bill focuses on structural changes for AI governance rather than regulating specific AI uses.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates AI Authority, Permitting Pilot, and Development Fund to foster AI innovation and policy, directly advancing AI technology development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 14, 2025

HB 1730: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for service contracts for residential telecommunications, cable and Internet services.

HB 1730 amends Pennsylvania's public utilities law to establish rules for service contracts between residential customers and providers of telecommunications, cable, and internet services. It directly affects homeowners and renters who use these services by requiring clearer terms and preventing unfair contract practices. Key provisions include banning automatic renewals without explicit customer consent and mandating plain-language disclosures about fees and cancellation policies. The bill aims to increase transparency and consumer choice in residential service agreements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBans automatic renewals without consent and mandates plain-language disclosures for internet/cable services, directly enhancing consumer protection in digital service contracts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 14, 2025

HB 1729: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous offenses, providing for children's online safety.

HB 1729 would require online platforms in Pennsylvania to verify the age of users and set default privacy settings for children under 18, blocking strangers from messaging, viewing profiles, tagging, or transacting with them without parental approval. For children under 13, parents must approve all new connections and financial transactions, and can view their child's activity on the platform. The bill also prohibits platforms from using deceptive design features ("dark patterns") that undermine these protections and bans discrimination against minors in service quality or pricing. This applies to social media, gaming, and other platforms allowing public profiles and user interaction.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates age verification, parental controls, and bans dark patterns to protect children's data privacy and online safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 1804: An Act providing for the withholding of Commonwealth payments to the Federal Government; perfecting liens on Federal property; establishing a civil cause of action; and prohibiting the Commonwealth from sharing data with the Federal Government that contains personally identifiable information.

HB 1804 would require the Commonwealth to withhold state payments to the federal government, strengthen claims against federal property, and prohibit sharing personal data with federal agencies. It creates a legal pathway for the Commonwealth to sue the federal government over withheld payments or data misuse. The bill directly affects how the state interacts with federal agencies on financial transactions and data privacy. Key provisions include blocking state funds to the federal government, allowing legal action for property claims, and banning the sharing of personally identifiable information.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requires withholding state payments to federal government, defunding federal programs through state budget actions.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sharing personally identifiable information with federal agencies, directly protecting data privacy as a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 10, 2025

HB 1857: An Act requiring business entities to disclose the use of artificial intelligence in certain consumer interactions; establishing the right of consumers to human review in high-impact decisions; and providing for enforcement by Attorney General.

HB 1857 requires businesses to disclose when they use artificial intelligence in specific consumer interactions, such as loan applications or medical consultations. It gives consumers the right to request a human review for decisions that significantly impact them, like denials of services or critical financial actions. The Attorney General would enforce these requirements, including potential penalties for noncompliance. This bill directly affects businesses using AI in consumer-facing services and empowers consumers with transparency and review options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires human review in medical consultations, protecting patient rights in AI-driven healthcare decisions85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI disclosure and human review rights, enhancing consumer protection in AI-driven decisions per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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