Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 427: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, providing for burial benefits.

HB 427 requires funeral directors, funeral entities, and certain cemetery companies to notify a county's veterans affairs office within 96 hours when handling the remains of a veteran who lived in that county at the time of death. It specifically applies to cemetery companies only if they are interring cremated remains without prior funeral services. The bill mandates that these providers also give the veteran's family contact details for the county veterans office. This law directly affects funeral and cemetery businesses handling veteran remains in Pennsylvania. It creates a clear notification process to help veterans' families access burial benefits.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates notification to county veterans offices for veteran burials, ensuring families access burial benefits. Directly strengthens veterans' service delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 218: An Act amending the act of May 28, 1937 (P.L.955, No.265), referred to as the Housing Authorities Law, further providing for establishment of rentals and selection of tenants and for veteran preferences.

SB 218 amends Pennsylvania's Housing Authorities Law to clarify tenant selection rules and expand veteran preferences for low-income housing. It requires housing authorities to rent only to low-income tenants (with income ≤ six times annual rent, including utility costs) and prohibits renting to non-citizens or those violating immigration laws. The bill also adds a provision ensuring veteran preferences apply to all qualifying housing programs, not just specific ones. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania housing authorities and applicants seeking subsidized housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires low-income tenant selection (≤6x rent) and expands veteran preferences for affordable housing programs, directly advancing access to affordable housing.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits renting to non-citizens in low-income housing, restricting immigrant access to housing services per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran preferences in low-income housing tenant selection, requiring housing authorities to prioritize veterans across all qualifying programs per amended Housing Authorities Law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights Veteran Housing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 133: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for exemptions and special provisions.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt certain veterans and their surviving spouses from Pennsylvania property taxes on their primary residences. It applies to veterans who served honorably and have specific service-connected disabilities (such as blindness, paralysis, amputation, or a 100% VA-rated disability), as well as surviving spouses of veterans killed in action or with service-connected deaths. The exemption requires the State Veterans' Commission to verify the applicant’s financial need and does not consider disability compensation when determining eligibility. The amendment must be approved by the General Assembly and voters before taking effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for veterans with disabilities, offering tax relief to lower-income veterans and surviving spouses, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts veterans from property taxes on primary residences, reducing housing costs for eligible homeowners, directly supporting affordable housing access for this group.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans with service-connected disabilities and surviving spouses from property taxes, directly expanding financial benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 27, 2025

HB 1405: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, further providing for career and technical instructional certificate.

HB 1405 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to create new pathways for veterans to become career and technical teachers in public schools. It allows veterans who served at least 8,000 hours (four years full-time) in an occupation they will teach to qualify for a Career and Technical Intern Certificate or Career and Technical Instructional I Certificate, bypassing some standard certification requirements. The bill specifically defines "veteran" as someone discharged under honorable conditions from U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard or reserves. This directly affects veterans seeking teaching roles in career and technical education programs across Pennsylvania's public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative certification for veterans in career/tech teaching, expanding teacher workforce access to support K-12 education95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates streamlined certification for veterans to become teachers, advancing employment opportunities through targeted pathway in education sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 10, 2025

HB 29: An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in diverse and disadvantaged businesses, further providing for definitions and for woman-owned business, minority-owned business or veteran-owned business and establishing the HUB Zone Business Procurement Program.

HB 29 establishes Pennsylvania's HUB Zone Business Procurement Program to increase state contract opportunities for businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, or located in historically underutilized business zones (HUB zones). It requires state agencies to set specific participation goals: 20% for contracts between $100,000-$750,000 and 25% for larger contracts, with exceptions if qualified businesses aren't available. The bill defines "diverse and disadvantaged businesses" to include HUB zone businesses and mandates agencies to compile verified business lists, monitor compliance, and provide training to support these businesses. This directly affects state purchasing agencies and qualifying businesses seeking state contracts.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates 20-25% state contracts for veteran-owned businesses, directly advancing economic opportunities and recognition through procurement program.95% confidence

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2025

HB 968: An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fishing licenses, providing for active duty military fishing reciprocity and for disabled veteran annual fishing license reciprocity; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, providing for active duty military hunting reciprocity and for disabled veteran annual hunting license reciprocity.

HB 968 allows active duty military members and disabled veterans to use their home state fishing and hunting licenses in Pennsylvania without purchasing separate Pennsylvania licenses. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s Fish (Title 30) and Game (Title 34) statutes to create reciprocity for annual licenses, directly benefiting these groups when fishing or hunting in the state. Key provisions remove the need for these individuals to pay additional fees for Pennsylvania licenses, streamlining access to outdoor recreation. The bill passed in June 2025 and is now law.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves financial barriers for disabled veterans and active duty military to use home-state fishing/hunting licenses in PA, directly expanding access to recreational benefits.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Sep 1, 2025

SR 141: A Resolution designating the month of September 2025 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates September 2025 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally recognizes the need for increased awareness and support related to military suicide prevention. The designation aims to encourage community efforts and education during that month, directly affecting Pennsylvanians through heightened public focus on this issue.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates September 2025 as Military Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, directly supporting veterans' mental health through recognition and community engagement efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1847: An Act designating the bridge, identified as Bridge Key 11527, carrying Pennsylvania Route 729 over Gazzam Run in Jordan Township, Clearfield County, as the PFC Raymond Lee McGarvey Memorial Bridge.

HB 1847 names a specific bridge on Pennsylvania Route 729 over Gazzam Run in Jordan Township, Clearfield County (Bridge Key 11527) as the "PFC Raymond Lee McGarvey Memorial Bridge." This bill directly affects the location by changing its official designation to honor PFC Raymond Lee McGarvey, a military service member. As a ceremonial resolution, it involves no policy changes or funding, solely commemorating an individual through a bridge naming. The bill is currently referred to the Transportation committee for consideration.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransNames bridge to honor PFC Raymond Lee McGarvey, a veteran, aligning with state recognition of veteran service per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HR 267: A Resolution designating June 8, 2025, as "Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy Day" in Pennsylvania, honoring Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy's military service and recognizing him as a decorated veteran, community leader and enduring symbol of courage.

This resolution designates June 8, 2025, as "Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy Day" in Pennsylvania to honor his military service and community leadership. It specifically recognizes Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy, a Tuskegee Airmen veteran who flew 21 combat missions in WWII, later served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Congressional Gold Medal. The resolution commemorates his 100th birthday and his post-military work mentoring pilots and supporting community organizations. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact beyond this symbolic recognition.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors specific veteran's military service and decorations, directly matching support indicator for recognition85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2025

SB 232: An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fishing licenses, further providing for disabled veterans and former prisoners of war and for deployed Pennsylvania National Guard members and repealing provisions relating to reserve component of armed forces members.

This bill changes Pennsylvania's fishing license fees for specific veterans and military members. Disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability (certified by the VA) receive free resident fishing licenses, while those with 60-99% disability pay $1. Deployed Pennsylvania National Guard members (with proof of 60+ days overseas deployment in the last 24 months) also get a $1 annual license. It repeals a prior section that provided similar $1 licenses to reserve component military members. The law took effect 60 days after the governor signed it on June 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides free/freely discounted fishing licenses to disabled veterans (100%) and deployed National Guard members, directly expanding benefits as defined in topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare