Veterans (National Guard & Reserve)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 870: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Educational Assistance Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility and for recoupment of grant payments; and, in Military Family Education Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for limitations and for recoupment of Military Family Education Program grant payments.

SB 870 amends Pennsylvania's military education programs to clarify eligibility and repayment rules for National Guard members and their families. It updates the definition of "approved program of education" to include more training options and refines eligibility criteria, such as requiring six years of service for full-time grants and adding specific rules for members discharged due to service-connected disabilities. The bill also revises recoupment (repayment) procedures, allowing proportional repayment if service obligations aren't met and expanding forgiveness for certain circumstances like medical discharge. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families using the Educational Assistance Program and Military Family Education Program. The bill focuses on streamlining program administration without altering benefit amounts or funding.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands eligibility for military education benefits, includes more training options, and protects service-connected disability discharges under Pennsylvania's program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 655: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, further providing for classes of income; in corporate net income tax, further providing for definitions; in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and providing for personal health investment tax credit.

This bill amends the state's tax code to create new deductions and tax credits related to health and fitness for military personnel. Businesses that offer free fitness facility memberships to active duty military, Pennsylvania National Guard, or reserve component members can deduct these costs from their taxable income. Additionally, these qualified military individuals can claim a personal health investment tax credit of up to $600 annually for their own sports and fitness expenses, such as gym memberships or participation fees. These changes will apply to taxable years commencing after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits/deductions for military health expenses, reducing taxable income for businesses and individuals per Tax Reform Code amendments.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates tax credit for military personnel's fitness expenses, directly benefiting veterans through accessible health services and recognizing service.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 412: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania National Guard, further providing for association group life insurance for Pennsylvania National Guard.

HB 412 amends Pennsylvania law to expand group life insurance access for Pennsylvania National Guard members. It allows nonprofit associations to offer group life insurance to eligible Guard members who are on active duty for 30+ consecutive days under specific circumstances, including federal combat deployments, state emergency responses, or federally mobilized duty with state approval. The bill sets coverage limits at $400,000 per member and $100,000 per spouse or dependent, aligning with existing Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance standards. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands group life insurance benefits for National Guard members on active duty, directly enhancing veteran financial security and aligning with existing veteran benefit frameworks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1328: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for veterans property tax rebate and rent rebate assistance; establishing the Veterans Property Tax Rebate and Rent Rebate Assistance Account; imposing penalties; and making a transfer.

HB 1328 creates a new program providing property tax and rent rebates to eligible Pennsylvania veterans. It directly affects veterans honorably discharged from U.S. armed forces (including National Guard) within the past three years who live in Pennsylvania. The bill establishes income-based rebates: $650 for households earning $0-$8,000, $500 for $8,001-$15,000, $300 for $15,001-$18,000, and $250 for $18,001-$35,000 annually. A new Veterans Property Tax Rebate Account will fund these rebates, which apply to real property taxes or rent payments exceeding 15% of household income.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief via income-based property tax/rent rebates for lower-income veterans, funded through a new state account, directly advancing fiscal support for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides income-based rent and property tax rebates for veterans, reducing housing costs for eligible households.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates income-based property tax/rent rebates for eligible veterans via new funding account, directly expanding financial benefits and support for veterans' housing costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters National Guard & Reserve Veteran Housing

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1102: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment of stipend amounts and for eligibility; and making editorial changes.

HB 1102 amends Pennsylvania’s military law to clarify and expand eligibility for the Medical Officer or Health Officer Incentive Program. It updates definitions to explicitly include "behavioral health officers" (requiring specific licenses, insurance, and federal compliance) and clarifies qualifications for physicians, physician assistants, and public health/environmental science officers. The bill affects Pennsylvania National Guard members in military medical roles who qualify for program stipends and incentives. Key changes ensure precise eligibility criteria for financial support, including updated requirements for residency, licensure, and program participation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands eligibility for military medical incentive program to include behavioral health officers, directly strengthening veterans' healthcare career opportunities and benefits in Pennsylvania National Guard medical roles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 821: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for National Guard service tax credit.

SB 821 creates a $500 tax credit for Pennsylvania National Guard members who meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify, a taxpayer must be a Pennsylvania resident with at least two full years of active service by December 31 of the taxable year, and remain an active member when filing their tax return. The credit reduces taxes owed under Pennsylvania's income tax code (Article III) for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and cannot be carried over, refunded, or sold. It requires self-certification via annual tax returns, with the Department of Revenue reporting on usage annually starting in 2027. This policy directly benefits qualifying National Guard members by lowering their state tax liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $500 tax credit for National Guard members, reducing tax liability under PA income tax code, aligning with tax relief support for eligible taxpayers.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates $500 tax credit for PA National Guard members with 2+ years service, directly providing financial benefit to veterans through tax reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 1727: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, in corporate powers, further providing for care of memorials.

HB 1727 amends Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to expand townships' authority to maintain and fund memorials. It allows second-class township boards of supervisors to maintain, repair, establish, or contribute to memorials honoring: (1) Pennsylvania National Guard or U.S. armed forces members (including reserves), and (2) first responders (firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and police officers). Townships may also accept donations from individuals or organizations to cover these memorial costs. The bill specifically updates Section 1538 of the 1933 Township Code and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes memorials honoring veterans (PA National Guard/U.S. armed forces), directly recognizing their service per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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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

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

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 6, 2025

HB 2011: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania National Guard, establishing the TRICARE Premium Reimbursement Program.

HB 2011 establishes a state program to reimburse Pennsylvania National Guard members for their TRICARE health insurance premiums. This directly affects current and future Pennsylvania National Guard members who pay for TRICARE coverage. The key provision creates a reimbursement mechanism where the state would refund members' monthly TRICARE premiums, reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs. The bill amends Pennsylvania's military affairs statutes to implement this financial assistance program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state expenditure to reimburse National Guard TRICARE premiums, increasing government spending on military benefits.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReimburses National Guard members' TRICARE premiums, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs for military personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReimburses National Guard members' TRICARE premiums, reducing healthcare costs for veterans directly through state-funded benefit expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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