Browse Bills

HB 2524 — An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

**What it does:** This bill proposes to change Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code by modifying which items are excluded from sales and use tax. The bill would expand or clarify what goods or services don't have to pay these taxes. **Who it affects:** - Pennsylvania consumers who would pay less tax on newly excluded items - Businesses that sell those items (they wouldn't need to collect tax on them) - The state government, which would receive less tax revenue **What would change:** Certain goods or services that currently have sales tax added at purchase would become tax-free. This means lower prices for consumers on those specific items, but also less money flowing to the state government for public services and programs. **Current status:** The bill has only been introduced - it hasn't been debated, voted on, or become law yet. *Note: The specific items to be excluded aren't detailed in this summary, as that information would require reviewing the full bill text.*

HB 2691 — An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in powers and duties, further providing for data to be supplied by electric utilities.

HR 10 — Reserved for the Speaker

**Bill Summary: HR 10 - "Reserved for the Speaker"** This bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives but currently has no specific content or provisions. The title "Reserved for the Speaker" indicates that the House Speaker has set aside this bill number (HR 10) for potential future legislation, but no actual policy has been proposed yet. **What it does:** Nothing at this time - it's essentially a placeholder. **Who it affects:** No one currently, as there are no provisions to implement. **What would change:** Nothing would change unless and until the Speaker assigns actual legislative content to this bill number. This is a common procedural practice where leadership reserves certain bill numbers for important future legislation. Citizens should wait for the bill's actual content to be released before it can be meaningfully evaluated for its potential impact.

HR 8 — Reserved for the Speaker

I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this bill because the document shows only basic identifying information. HR 8 is listed as "Reserved for the Speaker" with "introduced" status, but no actual bill text, summary, or description of proposed actions is provided. "Reserved for the Speaker" typically indicates this bill number has been set aside for legislation that House leadership considers a priority, but without the actual content, I cannot explain: - What the bill would do - Who it would affect - What changes it would make To get accurate information about this legislation, you would need to access the full bill text through Congress.gov or wait for more details to be released about what specific legislation will use the HR 8 designation.

HR 3 — Reserved for the Speaker

I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this bill because the document you've shared only contains basic identifying information (HR 3, "Reserved for the Speaker," introduced status) without any actual legislative content. "Reserved for the Speaker" typically means this bill number has been set aside for a priority piece of legislation that House leadership plans to introduce later, but the specific policy details haven't been made public yet. To provide you with a useful summary about what the bill does, who it affects, and what would change, I would need to see the actual text of the proposed legislation, including its provisions, sections, and policy details. If you have access to the full bill text or can provide more details about its contents, I'd be happy to summarize it in plain English for you.

HB 2224 — An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rates and distribution systems, providing for return on equity.

**What it does:** This Pennsylvania bill would amend the state's public utility laws to establish new rules about "return on equity" - essentially how much profit utility companies can earn on their investments. **Who it affects:** - Electric, gas, water, and other utility companies operating in Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania utility customers who pay monthly bills - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission that regulates these companies **What would change:** The bill would set specific guidelines for calculating how much profit utilities can earn when regulators set customer rates. Currently, this process varies case-by-case. The new law would likely create more standardized methods for determining these profit levels. Since utility profits are built into customer rates, this could affect how much Pennsylvanians pay for utilities - though whether bills would go up or down would depend on the specific profit levels the bill establishes compared to current practices. **Note:** The bill has only been introduced, so specific details about profit levels aren't yet available.

HB 2629 — An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in zoning, further providing for enforcement notice.

**Summary of Pennsylvania House Bill 2629** This bill would modify Pennsylvania's rules for how local governments handle zoning violations. Currently, when someone violates zoning laws (like building without permits or using property inappropriately), municipalities must follow specific procedures to enforce these rules. **What it does:** Changes the process for issuing "enforcement notices" - the official warnings given to property owners who violate zoning laws. **Who it affects:** - Property owners who may violate zoning rules - Local government officials who enforce zoning laws - Municipal planning departments **What would change:** The bill would alter the requirements for enforcement notices, though the specific changes aren't detailed in this summary. This could affect how quickly violations are addressed, what information must be included in notices, or the timeline property owners have to fix violations. The bill is currently in the early "introduced" stage and hasn't been voted on yet.

HR 2 — Reserved for the Speaker

I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this bill because the document lacks essential information. **What's missing:** - The actual title and content of the legislation (it only shows "Reserved for the Speaker") - No description of what the bill would do - No details about who would be affected - No information about proposed changes to current law **Current status:** The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and assigned number HR 2, but the substantive content is not available in this document. To get a proper summary, you would need access to the full text of the bill once it's officially titled and its contents are made public. Bill numbers are sometimes reserved before the actual legislation is drafted and introduced.

HB 2327 — An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; and, in county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards.

**What this bill does:** This bill would modify Pennsylvania's Election Code by changing the powers and duties of both the Secretary of the Commonwealth (the state's top election official) and county election boards. **Who it affects:** - The Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth - County election boards across all 67 Pennsylvania counties - Pennsylvania voters (indirectly, through changes to election administration) **What would change:** The bill would alter how election responsibilities are divided between state and county levels. However, without the specific text of the proposed changes, the exact modifications to powers and duties cannot be determined from this summary alone. **Current status:** The bill has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives but has not yet been passed into law. *Note: This summary is based on the bill's title only. The specific changes to election administration would depend on the detailed provisions within the full bill text.*

HR 497 — A Resolution recognizing October 6, 2026, as "German American Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution would officially recognize October 6, 2026, as "German American Day" in Pennsylvania. **What it does:** Creates a formal state recognition of a single day to honor German Americans and their contributions to Pennsylvania's history and culture. **Who it affects:** This is primarily symbolic and would affect German American communities in Pennsylvania by providing official state acknowledgment. It may also affect schools, cultural organizations, and local governments that might choose to commemorate the day. **What would change:** Very little would change practically. This is a ceremonial resolution that doesn't create new laws, require funding, or mandate any activities. It simply adds October 6, 2026, to the state's calendar of recognized days. Organizations and individuals could use this official recognition to organize cultural events, educational programs, or community celebrations, but participation would be voluntary. The resolution is a one-time recognition for 2026 only, not an annual designation.

HR 580 — A Resolution designating July 18, 2026, as "Piping Plover Day" in Pennsylvania.

HB 2538 — An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

This Pennsylvania bill (HB 2538) would modify the state's sales tax by adding new exclusions - meaning certain items or services would no longer be subject to sales tax that currently are. **What it does:** Amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exclude additional items from sales and use tax collection. **Who it affects:** - Consumers who purchase the newly excluded items (they would pay less) - Businesses that sell these items (simplified tax collection) - State government (reduced tax revenue) **What would change:** Specific products or services would become tax-free for purchases, reducing costs for buyers. However, the bill summary doesn't specify which items would be excluded. **Important note:** The bill has only been introduced, so these changes haven't taken effect. The specific items to be excluded aren't detailed in this summary, so the full impact depends on what's written in the complete bill text. This type of legislation typically aims to reduce tax burden on essential goods or stimulate economic activity in certain sectors.

HR 468 — A Resolution urging municipal governments and encouraging farmers, landowners and residents throughout Pennsylvania to open their lands to public hunting and make greater use of existing deer management programs and permits available through the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

**What it does:** This resolution urges Pennsylvania's local governments, farmers, landowners, and residents to allow public hunting on their properties and utilize deer management programs offered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. **Who it affects:** - Municipal governments - Private landowners, farmers, and residents - Hunters seeking access to hunting areas - The Pennsylvania Game Commission **What would change:** If adopted, this resolution would encourage (but not require) more private and public lands to be opened for hunting access. It would promote greater use of existing state deer management programs and permits. Since this is a resolution rather than a law, it serves as an official recommendation without creating legal mandates. The goal appears to be increasing hunting opportunities while supporting wildlife management efforts. The resolution does not create new programs or requirements - it simply encourages broader participation in existing hunting access and deer management systems already available through the state.

HB 2537 — An Act amending the act of January 8, 1960 (1959 P.L.2119, No.787), known as the Air Pollution Control Act, further providing for penalties.

**Summary of Pennsylvania HB 2537** This bill would change the penalties in Pennsylvania's Air Pollution Control Act, which was originally passed in 1960. The Air Pollution Control Act regulates businesses and facilities that release pollutants into the air to protect public health and environmental quality. **What it does:** Modifies the punishment structure for violations of air pollution laws. **Who it affects:** - Businesses, factories, and other facilities that emit air pollutants - People living in areas with air pollution - State environmental enforcement agencies **What would change:** The specific penalty amounts, types of punishments, or enforcement procedures for air pollution violations would be updated from the current law. This could mean higher or lower fines, different enforcement mechanisms, or changed criteria for violations. Since this bill has only been introduced, the exact details of how penalties would change aren't specified in this summary. The full bill text would contain the specific modifications to the existing penalty structure.

HR 541 — A Resolution recognizing the month of June 2026 as "Aphasia Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to increase awareness and understanding of aphasia to support improved diagnosis and treatment.

**What it does:** This resolution designates June 2026 as "Aphasia Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to promote public understanding of aphasia, a communication disorder that affects a person's ability to speak, understand, read, or write. **Who it affects:** - People with aphasia and their families - Healthcare providers and speech therapists - General public who would benefit from increased awareness - Organizations that support people with communication disorders **What would change:** - Official state recognition would help raise public awareness about aphasia - Could lead to better understanding of the condition in communities - May support efforts for improved diagnosis and treatment resources - Provides a platform for educational activities and advocacy during that month **Note:** This is a resolution (expressing support/recognition) rather than a law that creates new regulations or requirements. It's primarily symbolic but can help focus attention on the issue.

HR 479 — A Resolution honoring the memory of law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

**What it does:** This resolution formally honors and recognizes law enforcement officers who have died while performing their duties. **Who it affects:** - Families and colleagues of deceased law enforcement officers - Law enforcement agencies and communities - The general public, particularly those who value recognizing public service **What would change:** As a resolution, this creates no new laws or policies. Instead, it serves as an official legislative statement of respect and remembrance. It would formally acknowledge the sacrifices made by officers killed in the line of duty and may be used in memorial ceremonies or public recognition events. Resolutions like this are symbolic gestures that express the legislature's position on an issue but don't create binding legal requirements or change government operations. The practical impact is primarily ceremonial - providing official recognition that families and law enforcement communities can reference.

HB 2386 — An Act establishing the State Board of Opticianry; and providing for registration of opticians.

**What it does:** This bill would create a new state regulatory board specifically for opticians and establish a system requiring opticians to register with the state. **Who it affects:** - Opticians (professionals who fit and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses) - Consumers who purchase eyewear from opticians - The optical/eyewear industry in the state **What would change:** Currently, opticians in this state appear to operate without specific state oversight. If passed, this bill would: - Create a formal State Board of Opticianry to oversee the profession - Require opticians to register with the state, likely involving meeting certain qualifications and paying fees - Establish standards and potentially disciplinary procedures for opticians - Provide consumers with more regulatory protection when getting eyewear services This represents a move toward increased professional regulation in the optical field, similar to how other healthcare-related professions are overseen by state boards.

HB 2552 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in career and technical education, providing for temporary waiver.

**What it does:** This bill would allow temporary waivers for certain requirements in Pennsylvania's career and technical education programs. It amends the state's Public School Code to give schools more flexibility in how they operate these programs. **Who it affects:** - Students enrolled in career and technical education programs - Public schools offering vocational/technical training - School administrators and teachers in these programs - State education officials who oversee compliance **What would change:** Schools could temporarily bypass some existing rules or requirements for their career and technical programs. This could affect things like curriculum standards, facility requirements, instructor qualifications, or program structure. The waiver system would provide flexibility to adapt programs more quickly to changing workforce needs or address temporary challenges. Since the bill was only recently introduced, specific details about which requirements could be waived and under what circumstances aren't yet clear. The legislation would need to pass through the normal legislative process before becoming law.

HB 2375 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for establishment of charter school, for causes for nonrenewal or termination, for powers and duties of department, for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for establishment of cyber charter school; and, in the State Board of Education, further providing for powers and duties of the board.

This Pennsylvania bill would change how charter schools and cyber charter schools operate in the state. **What it does:** The bill modifies the Public School Code of 1949 to update rules for charter schools, including how they're defined, established, and regulated. It also changes requirements for cyber charter schools and gives the State Board of Education new responsibilities. **Who it affects:** - Students and families using charter and cyber charter schools - Charter school operators and staff - Traditional public school districts - The Pennsylvania Department of Education and State Board of Education **What would change:** The bill would likely alter how charter schools are approved, renewed, or closed, and could change operating requirements. It may also modify oversight responsibilities between state agencies and local school districts regarding charter schools. Since the bill was only recently introduced, specific details about the exact changes aren't provided in this summary. The full text would contain the precise modifications to current law.

HR 581 — A Resolution designating the week of January 24 through 30, 2027, as "Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals Week" in Pennsylvania.

HB 2387 — An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in particular rights and immunities, providing for liability for wrongful death of companion animal.

**Summary of Pennsylvania House Bill 2387** This bill would allow people to sue for monetary damages when their companion animal (pet) dies due to someone else's wrongful actions, similar to existing wrongful death laws for humans. **What it does:** Creates a legal right for pet owners to seek financial compensation when their pet dies because of another person's negligent or intentional harmful actions. **Who it affects:** - Pet owners who lose their animals due to others' actions - People who might be held liable for causing a pet's death (veterinarians, drivers, etc.) - Courts and the legal system **What would change:** Currently, pets are generally treated as property under Pennsylvania law, limiting compensation to the animal's market value. This bill would potentially allow owners to recover damages for emotional distress, veterinary bills, and other losses related to their pet's wrongful death. The bill has been introduced but not yet passed into law.

HB 2395 — An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

**What it does:** This bill proposes to amend Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to add new exclusions from the state's sales and use tax, meaning certain items or transactions would no longer be subject to these taxes. **Who it affects:** - Pennsylvania consumers who would pay less tax on excluded items - Businesses that sell excluded items (reduced tax collection responsibilities) - Pennsylvania state government (reduced tax revenue) **What would change:** Specific goods, services, or transactions would become tax-exempt, reducing the cost for consumers and potentially boosting sales of those items. The state would collect less revenue from sales and use taxes. **Important note:** The summary doesn't specify which items would be excluded from taxation. To understand the full impact, you would need to review the detailed bill text to see exactly what products or services would become tax-exempt. This change would take effect if the bill passes the Pennsylvania legislature and is signed into law.

HR 546 — A Resolution recognizing the week of September 28 through October 4, 2026, as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution would officially recognize the week of September 28 through October 4, 2026, as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. **What it does:** Creates an official state recognition week to raise awareness about frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), a group of brain disorders that affect personality, behavior, and language. **Who it affects:** - People with FTD and their families - Healthcare providers and researchers - General public who may learn about this condition - Advocacy organizations working on FTD issues **What would change:** This is a symbolic resolution that doesn't create new laws or spending. It would: - Give official state backing to awareness efforts during that week - Potentially increase public education about FTD - Show state support for affected families and research efforts - Allow advocacy groups to reference official state recognition in their campaigns The resolution aims to educate Pennsylvanians about a lesser-known but serious neurological condition that typically affects people between ages 45-65.

HB 2648 — An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in regulation of insurers and related persons generally, providing for health insurance alteration prohibitions.

HB 2587 — An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 19186, Pennsylvania Route 580, carrying Cush Cushion Creek in Green Township, Indiana County, as the Private Robert M. Pittman Memorial Bridge.

This bill would rename a bridge in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, to honor Private Robert M. Pittman. The bridge carries Pennsylvania Route 580 over Cush Cushion Creek in Green Township and is currently identified by the state as Bridge Key 19186. **What it does:** Designates an official memorial name for an existing bridge. **Who it affects:** - Drivers and residents who use this bridge on Route 580 - The family and community connected to Private Robert M. Pittman - Green Township residents in Indiana County **What would change:** - The bridge would receive memorial signage with Private Pittman's name - Official state records would reflect the new memorial designation - No changes to the bridge's function, traffic patterns, or Route 580 designation This is a ceremonial designation to honor military service. The bridge would continue operating normally, and the memorial naming would not affect its structural use or maintenance.

HB 2688 — An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, in taxation and finance, further providing for township and special tax levies.

HR 572 — A Resolution recognizing June 27, 2026, as "PTSD Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

HR 573 — A Resolution recognizing the month of August 2026 as "National Breastfeeding Month" in Pennsylvania.

HB 2454 — An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

**What it does:** This bill proposes to amend Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to add new exclusions from the state's sales and use tax, meaning certain items or transactions would no longer be taxed. **Who it affects:** - Pennsylvania consumers who would no longer pay sales tax on the newly excluded items - Businesses that sell these items (they wouldn't need to collect tax on them) - State and local governments that would receive less tax revenue **What would change:** The specific items or services that would become tax-exempt are not detailed in this summary, but whatever they are would become cheaper for consumers since they wouldn't include sales tax. The state would collect less revenue from sales taxes, which could affect funding for public services or require budget adjustments elsewhere. **Current status:** The bill has been introduced but not yet passed into law. *Note: The full text would be needed to identify exactly which items or services would be excluded from taxation.*

HR 549 — A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States and the United States Secretary of Labor to review the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the occupational restrictions issued under the act and take action to increase employment and training opportunities for youth workers.

This resolution asks the U.S. Congress and Department of Labor to review and potentially change federal child labor laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act. **What it does:** The resolution urges federal officials to examine current rules that restrict what jobs minors can do and consider loosening some of these restrictions. **Who it affects:** - Young workers (typically ages 14-17) - Employers who hire minors - Parents and families of working teens **What could change:** If federal officials act on this request, it might lead to: - Expanded job opportunities for teenagers in currently restricted occupations - More workplace training programs for youth - Changes to hours, duties, or safety requirements for young workers **Important note:** This is only a non-binding resolution expressing the state's opinion. It doesn't change any laws by itself - actual changes would require separate federal action by Congress or the Department of Labor.