Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 2677: An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in turnpike, further providing for electronic toll collection.

This bill updates Pennsylvania turnpike laws to restrict the use of text messages for notifying drivers about unpaid tolls. It specifically prohibits the turnpike commission and its agents from sending texts regarding unpaid charges, payment links, or potential enforcement actions like license suspensions. Exceptions are made for messages from third-party collection agencies and for drivers who have explicitly opted in to receive texts or who use an official mobile app. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts SMS notifications for tolls, limiting a common digital communication method and reducing consumer access to payment information via text.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 2631: An Act amending Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to gaming, further providing for definitions; and, in interactive gaming, further providing for Internet cafes and prohibition.

This bill updates Pennsylvania gaming laws by adding specific definitions for school entities and school property. It requires interactive gaming and sports wagering operators to use geospatial technology to block registered players from accessing games on their own devices while they are inside licensed facilities or on school grounds. The legislation aims to prevent minors and students from participating in online gambling through personal computers at these locations. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts internet access for registered players on personal devices within licensed facilities and schools to prevent gambling, limiting technology usage.75% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 2590: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for Internet bulk pricing.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to allow landlords to charge tenants for shared internet service through a ratio utility billing system. Under the new rules, landlords can only recover the exact amount they pay their internet provider and must include specific details about the billing method in the rental agreement. Tenants are given the right to opt out of these shared subscriptions, and landlords cannot retaliate against those who choose not to participate. Additionally, the law requires landlords to provide at least 90 days of notice before implementing this billing system for existing tenants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by mandating transparency in utility billing, allowing opt-outs, and prohibiting retaliation.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital equity by enabling affordable shared internet access and protecting tenant rights against retaliation for opting out.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 15, 2026

HB 2638: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in alternative form of regulation of telecommunications services, providing for telecommunications line repair and tree limb removal.

This bill requires telecommunications companies to promptly repair damaged lines or remove tree limbs that interfere with road safety after being notified by local governments or state agencies. The law prohibits carriers from passing these repair costs onto customers who do not use the specific infrastructure that caused the issue. Violations of these requirements could result in penalties enforced by the state commission, and the commission will create rules to ensure proper implementation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates prompt repair of telecom lines and prohibits passing costs to non-causing customers, enhancing infrastructure reliability and consumer protection.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates prompt repair of damaged lines and removal of tree limbs to enhance road safety, directly protecting transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications Roads & Highways Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 2553: An Act amending the act of November 23, 2010 (P.L.1083, No.108), known as the Covered Device Recycling Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in duties of manufacturers and retailers, further providing for sales prohibition, for registration and for manufacturer plan and reporting; and, in administration, further providing for duties of department, for annual report and for enforcement.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act to update definitions and strengthen recycling requirements for manufacturers and retailers. It clarifies which electronics count as covered devices, such as computers, smartphones, and printers, while explicitly excluding items like landline phones and devices built into other appliances. The legislation also introduces a sales prohibition mechanism, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to maintain a list of non-compliant brands that cannot be sold in the state. Additionally, the bill mandates stricter registration, reporting, and enforcement duties for companies involved in the sale of covered devices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens recycling requirements for electronics, reduces e-waste, and protects natural resources by updating definitions and enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens recycling requirements for electronics, promoting environmental sustainability and responsible disposal of technology devices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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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

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1009: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in special vehicles and pedestrians, providing for shared low-speed electric scooters; and imposing penalties.

This bill authorizes specific Pennsylvania cities to create regulated programs for shared low-speed electric scooters, allowing users to rent and ride them on public roads. It defines these scooters as lightweight devices with electric motors and sets clear rules, such as requiring riders to be at least 16 years old and limiting speeds to 15 miles per hour. The legislation also establishes safety requirements, including where scooters can be ridden, how they must be parked, and penalties for abandoned or improperly used vehicles.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill authorizes and regulates shared electric scooters, promoting accessible mobility technology and establishing safety frameworks for public use.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill authorizes shared electric scooter programs, enhancing sustainable transportation options and improving mobility on public roads.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Electric Vehicles Pedestrian Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2343: An Act amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions and for relief; and, in sentencing, providing for electronic monitoring with victim notification.

This bill expands Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws by allowing courts to establish specific geographic 'exclusion zones' that defendants cannot enter. It authorizes the use of GPS electronic monitoring devices for defendants in protection orders or sentencing, which would automatically alert law enforcement and, with the victim's consent, the victim if the defendant enters a prohibited area. The bill also clarifies that the defendant is responsible for paying all costs related to the monitoring equipment and services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protection from abuse laws via exclusion zones and GPS monitoring, enhancing victim safety and law enforcement capabilities.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill utilizes GPS technology to enhance victim safety and law enforcement response, strengthening protective measures through digital monitoring.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1291: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in service and facilities, providing for advanced transmission technologies.

This bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to submit evidence showing how they plan to use advanced transmission technologies when applying to build new power lines. Under the new rules, proposed projects will only be approved if the commission determines that feasible and cost-effective technologies are used to achieve at least two specific goals, such as avoiding new construction, increasing system capacity, or reducing environmental impacts. The legislation also allows companies to recover any extra costs associated with these upgrades through approved tariffs and defines specific technologies like dynamic line rating and high-performance conductors.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates use of advanced transmission tech to increase capacity and reduce environmental impacts, strengthening energy infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates use of advanced transmission technologies to reduce environmental impacts and avoid new construction, directly strengthening environmental protection.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates the use of advanced transmission technologies to improve grid capacity and reduce environmental impacts, directly advancing technological adoption in infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Transmission

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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

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