Appropriations 2023-2024
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 365 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to provide for posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) workers’ compensation claims for first responders
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation is anticipated to increase costs for the Commonwealth and local governments. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 843 (D. MILLER) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) by moving Chapter 2 of the Counterterrorism Planning, Preparedness and Response Act into the Title and makes changes regarding urban search and rescue task forces
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds in subsequent fiscal years. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1509 (N. NELSON) – Amends Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) allowing counties to expand boards of inspectors for jails and prisons to include members of the public, and incorporates provisions related to juvenile detention centers into Title 42
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds. Any local costs level would be dependent on a county electing to use a board of inspectors.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1608 (CEPHAS) – Amends the Human Services Code to provide medical assistance (Medicaid) coverage for doulas and establish the Doula Advisory Board
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2266 (TOMLINSON) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to increase the penalties for racing on highways and creates a new offense for drifting on highways
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of the legislation may have a fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund to the extent additional fines are imposed under the bill and deposited into the fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote by a vote of 22 Y – 2 N with Senators Kearney and Saval voting in the negative.
HB 2294 (VENKAT) – Amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to expand the definition of “primary supervising physician” to include a medical doctor that is licensed with the State Board of Medicine
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2295 (VENKAT) – Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1985 to expand the definition of “primary supervising physician” to include an osteopathic doctor licensed by the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2561 (HOWARD) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to further provide the State Horse Racing Commission an additional extension until October 2028 to convert temporary regulations into permanent regulations
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation has no impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 8, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 1230 (BAKER) – Amends The Administrative Code to further provide for the Elevator Safety Board and adopt the 2016 elevator code
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of Labor and Industry, the legislation could have fiscal implications on both Commonwealth and local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1300 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to add new limitation on damages for cases involving permanent dismemberment or death
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth and local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote 15 Y – 9 N.
HB 2185 (FLEMING) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for type 1 diabetes education informational materials for parents and guardians
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2268 (MARKOSEK) – Amends the Insurance Company Law to provide coverage for speech therapy for childhood stuttering
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation should not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds; however, see the Fiscal Note for additional details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, October 7, 2024 and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 1277 (ARGALL) – An Act requiring the Department of General Services to develop a plan for the divesture of the former White Haven Property and Hamburg and Polk State Centers
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no immediate fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 155 (SANCHEZ) – Amends the Health Care Facilities Act to allow two-way video remote technology to satisfy face-to-face job interview requirements for direct care workers
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2084 (BRIGGS) – Amends the Wholesale Prescription Drug Distributors License Act to define and license virtual manufacturers in the Commonwealth
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2127 (FIEDLER) – Creates the Perinatal and Postpartum Education Act
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation will have an impact on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2132 (DALEY) – Amends Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) to establish the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2383 (SOLOMON) – Establishes the Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program to provide opportunities for older adults with educational and professional skills and knowledge to mentor students before, during and after school
- Fiscal Impact: The program created by the enactment of this legislation would be contingent upon appropriation by the General Assembly. Estimated costs to fully implement this program are outlined in the Fiscal Note.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 1, 2024 and reported the following bills from committee:
Note Hughes on leave unanimous (23-0)
SB 155 (BROOKS) – Amends the Automobile Lemon Law to include motorcycles
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1176 (DUSH) – Amends The Public School Code to provide for the payment of admission fees for school-sponsored activities
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1319 (FARRY) – Amends the Architects Licensure Law providing for continuing education requirements and certification of interior designers
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will impact Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1730 (BRENNAN) – Amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act to exempt municipalities from registration requirements for cemetery companies
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth and Local Funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, September 30, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
Note Hughes on leave unanimous (23-0)
SB 1131 (COMITTA) – Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) to provide for filling vacancies in elective borough offices by the court of common pleas under certain circumstances
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1237 (BAKER) – Reauthorizes the Underground Utility Line Protection Law
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation should not have an adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1289 (KEARNEY) – Amends The Second Class Township Code to provide for filling vacancies in elective township offices by the court of common pleas under certain circumstances
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1320 (DISANTO) – Amends the Money Transmission Business Licensing Law to add virtual currency under the oversight of the Department of Banking and Securities
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation is anticipated to generate minimal additional revenue to the Banking Trust Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2288 (MARSHALL) – Amends The Second Class Township Code to increase the maximum compensation schedule for supervisors in second class townships
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth funds but will minimally impact township budgets. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2381 (MARKOSEK) – Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) to provide for temporary rulemaking authority regarding the implementation of interstate licensure compacts
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation should not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, September 17, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
- SB 1058 (YAW) – Establishes the Abrogation of CO2 Budget Trading Program Regulation Act
- Fiscal Impact: Senate Bill 1058 could have fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
- HB 1567 (MALAGARI) – Amends the Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act to allow code enforcement officers the discretion to permit tenants to remain in a property during the term of a temporary access certificate
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, September 16, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
- SB 169 (BAKER) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) in juvenile matters to provide for limitation on and change in place of commitment, per recommendation of the PA Juvenile Justice Task Force
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
- SB 170 (BAKER) – Amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to create a standardized statewide expungement process for juveniles, per recommendation of the PA Juvenile Justice Task Force
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 1 N, with Senator Langerholc voting in the negative.
- SB 173 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide for the Safe Exchange Zone Program
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds to the extent that funds are appropriated for the established grant program. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
- SB 1255 (FARRY) – Amends the Outpatient Psychiatric Oversight Act to revise the definition of “advanced practice professional”
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
- HB 1409 (KULIK) – Amends Title 30 (Fish) to extend the authority to establish license and permit fees through 2035, and make other revisions
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 1 N, with Senator Phillips-Hill voting in the negative.
- HB 2328 (HARRIS) – The Capital Budget Act of FY 2024-2025
- Fiscal Impact: The bill sets the maximum principal amount of additional debt to be incurred during the 2024-2025 fiscal year for capital projects at $1.495 billion.
- A05591- Technical Amendment adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, July 11, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
For all votes Senator Pennycuick is non-voting.
SB 1118 (STEFANO) – Amends Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75 (Vehicles) to authorize a community service program alternative to avoid a suspension of an individual’s driving privileges
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have an undetermined minimal fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 115 (CIRESI) – Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) to expand the scope of family members who may file a claim to recover unclaimed or abandoned property of their deceased relatives
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation will likely lead to less interest revenues from the Commonwealth’s holding of unclaimed property being deposited into the General Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 897 (KINKEAD) – Amends the Public School Code to guarantee admission of an undergraduate student transferring from a community college to a parallel program at PASSHE or a State-related university
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minor fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more details.
- Amendment A05536: Omnibus Amendment
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
HB 1633 (FRANKEL) – Establishes the Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act, which prohibits the enforcement of certain noncompete covenants entered into by health care practitioners and employers, provides for certain exceptions and requires employers to provide notice to patients regarding a practitioner’s departure
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2310 (TAKAC) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to establish the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program and Agriculture Innovation Board
- Fiscal Impact: Upon enactment of this legislation, grants may only be awarded to the extent money is appropriated by the General Assembly or provided by other sources. This fiscal analysis assumes administrative costs can be accommodated within existing operating budgets.
- Amendment A05537: Omnibus Amendment
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, July 10, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 1026 (MILLER) – Amends Act 173 of 1975 (Electronic Funds Transfer) to allow (not require) an employer to pay an employee exclusively through electronic means of direct deposit or a payroll card
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation could have fiscal implications on the Commonwealth and local governments as employers depending upon decisions made with respect to paying wage exclusively by electronic means in comparison to current practice. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1032 (FIEDLER) – Establishes the Solar for Schools Grant Program
- Fiscal Impact: Awarding of grants under this legislation is subject to appropriation outside of this act.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1993 (BENHAM) – Amends the Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to establish requirements for Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) contracts with the PBM’s network pharmacies and establishes certain prohibited acts
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will require additional resources for oversight and compliance operations. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- Technical Amendment adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, July 9, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
HB 663 (MCNEILL) – Amends the Public School Code to allow students involved in a residency dispute to continue attending school until the dispute is resolved
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. School entities may incur minor costs.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1086 (TAKAC) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to authorize the sharing of information under the Veterans Registry
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation could impact Commonwealth or local funds to the extent it may increase veteran participation in community programming.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, July 8, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 1242 (J. WARD) – Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) to provide for a continuing education tracking system
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would require additional resources for the Bureau BPOA in the Department of State. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1274 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act to make updates necessary to modernize the law
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I), the legislation would have no adverse fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1540 (PARKER) – Amends the Public School Code to modify how vacancies on the Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence are filled and changes the reporting date for the Commission’s annual report
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, July 2, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 25 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends The Professional Nursing Law to create the Rural Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners Health Care Access Program
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds. This fiscal analysis assumes that any additional costs to administer the program may be offset by the fees by the Board.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 219 (COSTA) – Amends the First and Second Class County Property Tax Relief Act to authorize a city of the second class to adopt a Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP)
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a fiscal impact on local funds, but is dependent on the adoption and construction of a program at the local level. Please see the Fiscal Note for more details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 816 (GIRAL) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to require the Philadelphia Parking Authority to photograph parking violations in Philadelphia prior to vehicle removal
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation could have a fiscal impact on the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Please see the Fiscal Note for more details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1446 (R. MACKENZIE) – Amends the Unemployment Compensation Law to clarify the eligibility for Unemployment Compensation benefits for victims of domestic violence who voluntarily leave their employment
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I), domestic violence is already deemed an acceptable reason for quitting or missing work and victims already qualify for UC. As a result, the legislation would not have an impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1466 (BIZZARRO) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to provide for a cause of action based on protected public expression and to establish the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1716 (WARREN) – Amends Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) to add provisions for shareholder rights in derivative actions and provides name registration guidelines for domestic non-filing associations
- Fiscal Impact: The Department of State anticipates this legislation would have minimal fiscal impact. When required to do these filings in the past, the department received under 100 annually and they anticipate receiving the same or similar numbers if this legislation is enacted.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1820 (BULLOCK) – Amends the Cosmetology Law to eliminate the natural hair braiding license under the State Board of Cosmetology
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact revenues to the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account to the extent that natural hair braiders would no longer be required to pay related fees to practice in the Commonwealth. Minimal savings from fewer inspections and investigations may also be realized.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1853 (SHUSTERMAN) – Amends the Health Care Facilities Act to add a requirement for an annual meeting between the Department of Health and licensed nursing facilities under its jurisdiction
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may result in minimal increased administrative costs to the department. This fiscal analysis assumes any impact can be covered within existing operating budgets.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2200 (BURNS) – Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) to require individuals applying for a license, certificate, registration, or permit as a health care practitioner to submit fingerprints as part of a criminal history background check
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2233 (CURRY) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to permit a tow truck driver, when directed by an on-duty police officer, to violate traffic laws during rescue or removal of a disabled vehicle without facing conviction for violation of those certain traffic laws
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
Additional Vote
SB 67 (LAUGHLIN) – This legislation will completely remove the prohibition on Sundays available for hunting and trapping. Additionally, the bill enhances trespassing penalties for hunters found on private property
- Fiscal Impact: The Game Commission anticipates that the provisions of the legislation authorizing it to institute Sunday would result in an increase in hunting license sales. However, the extent of the increase and impact on revenues for the Game Fund are unknown at this time. Other responsibilities for the Game Commission in the legislation can be handled with existing resources.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 19 Y – 5 N, with Senators Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.
Gone Over
HB 1086 (TAKAC) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to authorize the sharing of information under the Veterans Registry
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation could impact Commonwealth or local funds to the extent it may increase veteran participation in community programming.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, July 1, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 366 (L. WILLIAMS) – Amends the Public School Code to require the Secondary Career & Technical Education subsidy calculation for the annual distribution be fixed as of the first day of June preceding the school year in which the allocation will occur
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 698 (ROBINSON) – Amends Title 34 (Game) to allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to make licensing exemptions for disabled veteran hunting event programs
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Game Commission, the legislation is anticipated to have minimal fiscal implications on the Game Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1080 (CULVER) – Amends the Vital Statistics Law to provide for the pronouncement of death of a patient in hospice care by a practical nurse
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation is not expected to have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1160 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) to designate March 29th as Vietnam War Veterans Day
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1177 (DUSH) – Amends the Unemployment Compensation Law to require the inclusion of additional data in the annual Unemployment Compensation report
- Fiscal Impact: According to L&I, the legislation would have no adverse fiscal implications. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 1207 (AUMENT) – Amends the Public School Code to establish the Cell Phone Lockable Bag Pilot Program
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation will have no adverse impact on Commonwealth or local funds. The implementation of the pilot program would be contingent on funds made available through the annual budget process.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a 22 Y – 2 N, with Senators Kearney and Saval voting in the negative.
SB 1269 (AUMENT) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to establish the Agriculture Innovation Board and the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program
- Fiscal Impact: Upon enactment of this legislation, grants may only be awarded to the extent money is appropriated by the General Assembly or provided by other sources. This fiscal analysis assumes administrative costs can be accommodated within existing operating budgets.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N, with Senators Kearney, Saval, and Santarsiero voting in the negative.
HB 829 (GERGLEY) – Amends the Liquor Code to make omnibus revisions and creates the Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, June 27, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 1228 (GEBHARD) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide for Fort Indiantown Gap police officers to be Act 120 certified under the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 327 (MAKO) – Amends the Barbers’ License Law to provide for licensure of manager-barbers and barber-teachers
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1664 (SCOTT) – Amends Title 40 (Insurance) to require insurance companies or vendors they contract with to provide different forms of claim payments to healthcare providers
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would not require additional funding for Insurance Department oversight. To the extent penalties and fines may be collected due to noncompliance, additional revenue may be deposited in the Insurance Regulation and Oversight Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2096 (WARREN) – Amends the Insurance Company Law to allow a surplus lines licensee to charge a service fee for the placement of a surplus lines insurance policy
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2182 (MARSHALL) – Amends Titles 75 (Vehicles) to provide for flashing or revolving green lights on highway construction or maintenance vehicles
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 2301 (NEILSON) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to make omnibus changes regarding vehicle registration plates, vehicle titling and registration fees
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have a fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 26, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
For votes below Senator Street was on personal leave.
SB 82 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends the Dog Law to provide service dog license exemptions
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact funds in the Dog Law Restricted Account. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 522 (BROOKS) – Amends Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) to provide for reduced hunting and fishing license fees for volunteer firefighters
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Fish and Boat Commission and Game Commission, the legislation could have minimal fiscal implications on the Fish Fund and Game Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 766 (COMITTA) – Amends the Administrative Code to add a representative to the State Planning Board from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 840 (BROWN) – Establishes the Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders Office and the Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders Advisory Committee
- Fiscal Impact: The estimated total cost of implementing provisions of this legislation is $2.483 million annually.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 913 (LANGERHOLC) – Creates the Virtual Mental Health In Schools Act, which provides for parental consent for virtual mental health services provided by a school entity
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 15 Y – 8 N, see note above.
SB 971 (COLEMAN) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for parental and employee notification of weapon incidents
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 1 N, with Senator Saval voting in the negative.
SB 1031 (A. WILLIAMS) – Amends the Cosmetology Law to provide for natural hair braiding license reform
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact revenues to the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account to the extent that natural hair braiders would no longer be required to pay related fees to practice in the commonwealth.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1246 (KEARNEY) – Amends Title 74 (Transportation) to establish the State Safety Oversight Office
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would codify an office already in practice. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1260 (SANTARSIERO) – An Act prohibiting the State Treasurer, SERS, PSERS, and the PA Municipal Retirement System from boycotting or divesting from Israel and prohibiting funding to an institution of higher education that engages in a boycott or divestment from Israel
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 19 Y – 4 N, with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Miller, and Saval voting in the negative.
HB 73 (KERWIN) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to provide for the Operation Inherent Resolve veterans plate
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would result in one-time costs to the Motor License Fund of $15,000. Recurring revenues to the Fund would be realized through license plate fees.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The following bill was gone over:
HB 657 (BULLOCK) – Creates the Unfair Real Estate Service Agreements Act
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation will likely have an impact on Commonwealth funds; however, the amount of the impact would depend on the number of individuals charged with violating the provisions of this legislation.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 25, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 965 (CULVER) – Amends the Human Services Code to provide for Medical Assistance coverage of rapid whole genome sequencing
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds. The implementation would be dependent on approval by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure cost-sharing with the commonwealth by means to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP). See the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 976 (L. WILLIAMS) – Amends Title 30 (Fish) to update boating education requirements regarding the use of electric boat motors
- Fiscal Impact: Boater safety education certificates cost $10.00 and are good for a lifetime. The update to the exemption subjecting additional operators of vessels, such as efoils and jetboards, to the certification of boating safety education requirements would result in additional fee revenue for the Boat Fund. Additionally, the legislation would have an effect on registration income and expenses to the state on registration, education, and enforcement. Estimates in these regards are unknown at this time but are anticipated to be minimal.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1129 (FLYNN) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) regarding the sale of vehicles on which a total loss payment has been made by an insurer and reports of abandoned vehicles at wholesale vehicle auctions
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund. Additional revenue may be realized to the extent any proceeds are realized and deposited into the fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1192 (GEBHARD) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to establish the Service Members, Veterans and their Families Fund and to permit leasing of Fort Indiantown Gap lands
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth/local funds.
- Amendment A05000: Technical Amendment
- Vote, Amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
HB 109 (CIRESI) – Establishes the Prohibition of Early Contract Termination Fees Upon Death Act
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1490 (GALLAGHER) – Amends the Acupuncture Licensure Act to further provide for the regulation of the practice of acupuncture
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1754 (MULLINS) – Amends The Insurance Company Law of 1921 to require coverage of biomarker testing in commercial insurance policies, as well as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid
- Fiscal Impact: The Insurance Department anticipates additional personnel costs to implement the provisions of the legislation and ensure compliance. Additional costs may also be realized in the MA and CHIP programs in future fiscal years dependent approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and on this factor when determining actuarially sound per member per month rates. See the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1818 (CEPEDA-FREYTIZ) – Amends the Self-Service Storage Facility Act to allow redundant advertisements
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 24, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 1001 (MARTIN) – General Appropriations Act of 2024
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation largely reflects appropriation amounts in the current 2023-24 fiscal year with a few exceptions listed in the fiscal impact section below. Historically, this is often procedural practice to position the legislation for amendment(s) at a later date.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1002 (MARTIN) – Professional Licensure Augmentation Account funding for FY 2024-2025
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2023-24 fiscal year funding levels.
- Amendment A04901 – Amends with the amounts recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended¸ unanimously.
SB 1003 (MARTIN) – Workmen’s Compensation Administration funding for FY 2024-2025
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2023-24 fiscal year funding levels.
- Amendment A04910 – The revised appropriation to L&I is in the amount as recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The language added by the amendment earmarking $11.5 million of the revised L&I appropriation reflects costs for a new Workers’ Compensation IT project and has been agreed to.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended¸ unanimously.
SB 1004 (MARTIN) – Office of the Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2024-2025
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2023-24 fiscal year funding levels.
- Amendment A04542 – This appropriation reflects the amount recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended¸ unanimously.
SB 1005 (MARTIN) – Office of Consumer Advocate funding for FY 2024-2025
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2023-24 fiscal year funding levels. The Governor’s 2024-2025 Executive Budget recommends level funding in the upcoming budget year.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1006 (MARTIN) – Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2024-2025
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2023-24 fiscal year funding levels.
- Amendment A04892 – Amends with the amounts recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended¸ unanimously.
SB 1007 (MARTIN) – State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2024-2025
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2023-24 fiscal year funding levels.
- Amendment A04890 – Amends with the amounts recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended¸ unanimously.
SB 1008 (MARTIN) – Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2024-2025
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2023-24 fiscal year funding levels.
- Amendment A04893 – Amends with the amounts recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The amendment also removes the annual appropriation from the Philadelphia Taxicab Medallion Fund to the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended¸ unanimously.
SB 1009 (MARTIN) – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2024-2025
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2023-24 fiscal year funding levels.
- Amendment A04905 – Amends with the amounts recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended¸ unanimously.
SB 1010 (MARTIN) – Gaming Control Appropriation Act of 2024
- Fiscal Impact: total State Gaming Fund appropriations contained in this legislation are $12.802 million less than the Governor’s Executive Budget for 2024-25. The appropriations contained in this legislation from the Fantasy Contest Fund, and Video Gaming Fund match the Governor’s Executive Budget for 2024-2025.
- Amendment A04949 – The amounts for the Department of Revenue and the Pennsylvania State Police are recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The amount for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is $6.918 million less than the amount recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2024- 25 fiscal year.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended¸ unanimously.
SB 1121 (ROBINSON) – Amends Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) to establish the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. The legislation designates that administrative costs should be covered through the restricted account created. However, it does not initially fund the account or require that costs otherwise be covered should no funding be available in the account.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1147 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to permit motorcycle safety inspections to be completed in all months of the year
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1183 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends the Right-to-Know Law to include the Pennsylvania School Boards Association in the definition of state-affiliated entity
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 1232 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to provide for direct deposits of payments
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation could have minimal fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds. It could also have fiscal implications on local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1241 (GEBHARD) – Amends the Insurance Department Act by removing the pre-examination requirement for insurance providers
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation is not expected to impact Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1270 (MARTIN) – General Appropriations Act of 2024
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation has one state appropriation for school safety under the Office of Attorney General for $2.557 million.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1275 (MARTIN) – General Appropriations Act of 2024
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation has two state appropriations totaling $45.847 million.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1889 (MALAGARI) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to permit the use of electronic delivery tickets for light fuel oil deliveries upon direct customer consent
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 10, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 761 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Workforce Development Act to require the Department of Labor and Industry to disseminate information to local workforce development agencies.
- Fiscal Impact: According to L&I, the legislation would result in fiscal implications to the Commonwealth to develop the data dashboard and to carry out responsibilities associated with it. L&I also indicates the legislation would have fiscal implications on local funds as federal law mandates that reimbursements to state agencies are included as part of data sharing agreements. However, the provisions of the legislation could improve tax collections for the state and local governments if they serve to enhance local workforce investment board performance and effectiveness.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 801 (AUMENT) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for evidence-based reading instruction.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may carry a fiscal impact to Commonwealth and Local Funds. See Fiscal Note for further details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1099 (MATRIANO) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to reauthorize and make technical changes to the Fire Company Grant Program and the Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will not impact Commonwealth Funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1138 (CULVER) – Amends the Administrative Code providing for the reauthorization of the State Geospatial Coordinating Board.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1150 (MARTIN) – Amends the Public School Code establishing the Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program to provide grant awards to students in courses of study that lead to in-demand occupations
- Fiscal Impact: While this legislation requires PHEAA to create the grant program, the number of grants are limited to the amount of money appropriated to the program. This legislation does not appropriate any funding for this purpose.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote 19 Y – 5 N, with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1151 (MARTIN) – Amends the Public School Code by establishing the Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program to award merit scholarships to nonresident students in courses of study that lead to in-demand occupations.
- Fiscal Impact: The program created by the enactment of this legislation would be funded in an amount determined by the legislature. Available estimates indicate that providing for this scholarship program could cost the Commonwealth an additional $5.6 million annually, at a minimum.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote 19 Y – 5 N, with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1152 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Public School Code to revise the eligibility criteria for participation in the Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program.
- Fiscal Impact: This bill does not require additional Commonwealth funds, but not doing so may impact the number students receiving assistance under the Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship program or the size of grant awards. See Fiscal Note for further details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, and Street voting in the negative.
SB 1153 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for educational opportunities for nonresident foster and adopted children.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would not impact Commonwealth funds, but PASSHE schools may see a minimal impact in tuition revenues. See Fiscal Note for further details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1154 (AUMENT) – Establishes the Performance-based Funding Council to develop a new performance based funding system for Penn State, Pitt and Temple Universities
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds. The Council will not appropriate funding, only recommend a formula related to disbursement. Any costs associated with Council activities should be minimal and accommodated in existing operating budgets.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 1155 (ARGALL) – Establishes the Higher Education Task Force to meet, discuss and make recommendations regarding the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities and the Commonwealth’s community colleges.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this bill should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds. Minimal costs associated with the activities of the Task Force may be incurred in fiscal year 2025-26.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 20 Y – 4 N, with Senators Haywood, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1157 (ARGALL) – Amends the Public School Code to allow a six-year-old child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to be exempted from compulsory school attendance to obtain an additional year of early intervention services
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for further details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 1231 (BAKER) – Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) to add definitions applicable to trusts, to replace references to “trust instrument” with “terms of a trust” and to add a new subchapter known as the Directed Trust Act.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1333 (DAWKINS) – Amends the Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act to allow recycled materials to be used in stuffed toys so long as the materials are free from dangerous or harmful chemicals or substances and from oil, dirt, refuse and other similar substances
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 5, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 464 (REGAN) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to allow certain local full-time police officers to purchase up to five years of pension service credit if a municipality chooses to allow that practice.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation could impact local funds, as amended.
- Amendment 03991– addresses the potential impact of the legislation by eliminating the requirement for municipalities, also makes technical of corrections.
- VOTE, on the amendment: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 688 (REGAN) – Amends the Liquor Code to provide for the sale of ready-to-drink cocktails.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 10, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 761 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Workforce Development Act to require the Department of Labor and Industry to disseminate information to local workforce development agencies.
- Fiscal Impact: According to L&I, the legislation would result in fiscal implications to the Commonwealth to develop the data dashboard and to carry out responsibilities associated with it. L&I also indicates the legislation would have fiscal implications on local funds as federal law mandates that reimbursements to state agencies are included as part of data sharing agreements. However, the provisions of the legislation could improve tax collections for the state and local governments if they serve to enhance local workforce investment board performance and effectiveness.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 801 (AUMENT) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for evidence-based reading instruction.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may carry a fiscal impact to Commonwealth and Local Funds. See Fiscal Note for further details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1099 (MATRIANO) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to reauthorize and make technical changes to the Fire Company Grant Program and the Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will not impact Commonwealth Funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1138 (CULVER) – Amends the Administrative Code providing for the reauthorization of the State Geospatial Coordinating Board.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1150 (MARTIN) – Amends the Public School Code establishing the Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program to provide grant awards to students in courses of study that lead to in-demand occupations
- Fiscal Impact: While this legislation requires PHEAA to create the grant program, the number of grants are limited to the amount of money appropriated to the program. This legislation does not appropriate any funding for this purpose.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote 19 Y – 5 N, with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1151 (MARTIN) – Amends the Public School Code by establishing the Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program to award merit scholarships to nonresident students in courses of study that lead to in-demand occupations.
- Fiscal Impact: The program created by the enactment of this legislation would be funded in an amount determined by the legislature. Available estimates indicate that providing for this scholarship program could cost the Commonwealth an additional $5.6 million annually, at a minimum.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote 19 Y – 5 N, with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1152 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Public School Code to revise the eligibility criteria for participation in the Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program.
- Fiscal Impact: This bill does not require additional Commonwealth funds, but not doing so may impact the number students receiving assistance under the Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship program or the size of grant awards. See Fiscal Note for further details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, and Street voting in the negative.
SB 1153 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for educational opportunities for nonresident foster and adopted children.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would not impact Commonwealth funds, but PASSHE schools may see a minimal impact in tuition revenues. See Fiscal Note for further details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1154 (AUMENT) – Establishes the Performance-based Funding Council to develop a new performance based funding system for Penn State, Pitt and Temple Universities
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds. The Council will not appropriate funding, only recommend a formula related to disbursement. Any costs associated with Council activities should be minimal and accommodated in existing operating budgets.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 1155 (ARGALL) – Establishes the Higher Education Task Force to meet, discuss and make recommendations regarding the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities and the Commonwealth’s community colleges.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this bill should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds. Minimal costs associated with the activities of the Task Force may be incurred in fiscal year 2025-26.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 20 Y – 4 N, with Senators Haywood, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1157 (ARGALL) – Amends the Public School Code to allow a six-year-old child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to be exempted from compulsory school attendance to obtain an additional year of early intervention services
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for further details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 1231 (BAKER) – Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) to add definitions applicable to trusts, to replace references to “trust instrument” with “terms of a trust” and to add a new subchapter known as the Directed Trust Act.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1333 (DAWKINS) – Amends the Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act to allow recycled materials to be used in stuffed toys so long as the materials are free from dangerous or harmful chemicals or substances and from oil, dirt, refuse and other similar substances
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 3, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 194 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to make changes to the Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption program.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. Any impact on county funds would be dependent on the number of new tax exemptions granted based on meeting income eligibility under these revisions.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 742 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax, with regard to the treatment of goodwill in the ascertainment of the taxable amount of shares.
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have a negative fiscal impact on the General Fund. See Fiscal Note for additional information.
- A04598- Clarifies application date.
- VOTE, on amendment: unanimously adopted.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a vote of 20 Y – 4 N, with Senators Kearney, Miller, Saval, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1051 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 by further providing for review by the Board of Finance and Revenue and for a settlement conference process with regard to tax appeals.
- Fiscal Impact: Senate Bill 1051 requires the Board to appoint one or more individuals to serve as a settlement officer. The Treasury Department estimates that contracting for the settlement officer would incur costs of roughly $450,000 per fiscal year. The Treasury Department indicates the ability to absorb these costs in its existing operating budget.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, of 15 Y -9 N.
SB 1084 (ROTHMAN) – Amends Titles 13 (Commercial Code) and 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) by revising the Uniform Commercial Code to accommodate emerging technologies utilized in commercial transactions.
- Fiscal Impact:
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1102 (ARGALL) – Amends the Nurse Aide Resident Abuse Prevention Training Act to increase the availability of long-term care training courses for nurse aides and to expand eligibility for individuals to take the nurse aide competency exam.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have a fiscal impact Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 17 Y – 7 N, with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Miller, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1104 (ARGALL) – Amends the Public School Code of 1949 to allow a student to earn credit for work on a paid or voluntary basis at a congregate care facility.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, of 15 Y -9 N.
SB 1149 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 to specify that the classes of income under the personal income tax do not include amounts received as a result of the Norfolk Southern Railway train derailment.
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no fiscal impact on the General Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 660 (SCHLOSSBERG) – Amends Title 40 (Insurance) to establish guidelines and regulations for pet insurance companies and to implement protections for customers of pet insurance policies.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1097 (HADDOCK) – Amends the Public School Code of 1949 to require school entities to observe a moment of silence during instructional hours on the anniversary of September 11, 2001, and to provide for a related model curriculum.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation could potentially impact Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1477 (SMITH-WADE-AL) – Amends the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to provide for digital submissions and electronic transmittals by municipalities.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact to the Commonwealth.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1760 (HANBIDGE) – Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates & Fiduciaries) to expand the provisions of the Slayers Act to include individuals convicted of elder abuse.
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, May 7, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 269 (GEBHARD) – Several amendments to the Tax Reform Code
- Fiscal Impact: The provisions of the bill would reduce General Fund revenues by $1.685 billion in FY
- 2024-25. See the Fiscal Impact section future year projections and for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 17 Y – 7 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 739 (VOGEL) – The Telemedicine Act
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation is not expected to adversely impact Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 920 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act
- Fiscal Impact: PCCD estimates the costs to select and launch a statewide tracking system to be at least $1.5 million. For more information, please see the Fiscal Note.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1001–1010 (MARTIN) – General Appropriations Act and various Preferred Appropriations Bills
- VOTE: The bills were reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1017 (BOSCOLA) – Amends Title 63 (Public Utilities) reauthorizing, with amendments, Chapter 14 – Responsible Utility Consumer Protection
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Kearney, Saval, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1165 (BOSCOLA) – Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations – State Licensed) relating to interstate licensure compacts
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal effect on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1173 (STEFANO) – Amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act relating to wholesale real estate transactions
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, April 29, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 479 (PITTMAN) – Amends Title 71 (State Government) to expand the definition of “enforcement officer.”
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have a nominal fiscal impact on the State Employees’ Retirement Fund and the General Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 645 (HUGHES) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide for a ten-year limitation for acquiring title to vacant land for gardens in cities of the first class.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may result in additional revenues for the Commonwealth and the local unit of government.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 2 N, with Senators Phillips-Hill and Rothman voting in the negative.
SB 916 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) providing for a Pennsylvania Sportsman license plate and establishing the Youth Hunting and Fishing restricted account.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would result in one-time costs and recurring revenues to the newly created Youth Hunting and Fishing Restricted Account and the Motor License Fund. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 973 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to provide the same benefits and privileges of United States military veterans to certain Korean American citizens.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no significant impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1056 (ARGALL) – Amends the Fiscal Code to extend the state Treasury’s investment authority.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1092 (DISANTO) – Amends Title 40 (Insurance) to authorize insurance companies to provide rebates and inducements to consumers for value added services worth a value of no more than $125.
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds, which can be absorbed within existing operating budgets.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1109 (BROOKS) – Amends the Unemployment Compensation Law regarding eligibility for unemployment compensation.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have a minimal fiscal impact, see Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 18 Y – 6 N, with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 1132 (BROWN) – Amends the First Class Township Code, in finance and taxation, further providing for tax levies.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1133 (BROWN) – Amends the Second Class Township Code, in taxation and finance, further providing for tax levies.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1134 (BROWN) – Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns), in taxation and finance, further providing for tax levies.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1139 (MASTIRANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to provide for notice of Veterans’ Affairs burial benefits for veterans.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 358 (R. MACKENZIE) – Establishes the Keystone First Responder Award.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1419 (PIELLI) – Amends Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) to modify a filing date for registered foreign corporations.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, April 8, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 667 (Robinson) – Amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to provide for credit card and mobile payments.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 23-1 (No: Dush).
SB 819 (Yaw) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to provide for offenses relating to critical infrastructure facilities.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact local funds to the extent that additional resources are needed to prosecute the new offenses. Revenue from fines levied against offenders and court costs associated with private rights of action may offset a portion of these costs.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 16-8 (Nos: Costa, Haywood, Kearney, Hughes, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street)
SB 831 (Yaw) – Enacts the Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act.
- Fiscal Impact: Based on information provided by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the department would need at least 17 additional positions with an initial annual cost of roughly $2.4 million to administer and enforce the program. It is unclear if additional legal positions would be needed for the program. Implications from transferring liability to the Commonwealth following project completion are unknown at this time. It is unclear if fees provided for in the legislation would be sufficient to cover associated costs.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 15-9 on a party line vote.
SB 975 (Brooks) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to provide for the offense of terroristic threats towards educational facilities.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact local funds by making restitution available for costs associated with recovery services following a terroristic threat to educational facilities. In addition, there may be a marginal increase in costs to state correctional facilities as a result of increased grading.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 20-5, (Nos: Hughes, Kearney, Miller, Saval, Street)
SB 1018 (Kearney) – Amends Title 2 (Administrative Law and Procedure) to extend the protections provided to child witnesses during civil and criminal proceedings to administrative proceedings before the Department of Human Services.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1101 (Mastriano) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to provide for fire and emergency services testing and training requirements.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 917 (Shusterman) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to create the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1795 (Gergely) – Amends the Clinical Laboratory Act to exempt source plasma donation centers from oversight of the Department of Health.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, March 18, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 559 (BAKER) – Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1985 to Align Pennsylvania’s law with the current practice, training and education of athletic trainers.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 560 (BAKER) – Amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to align Pennsylvania’s law with the current practice, training and education of athletic trainers.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 915 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) by requiring PennDOT to reissue illegible veterans or military registration plates at no cost to the registrant.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 978 (BROWN) – Amends the Second Class Township Code to require advertisement whenever a township transfer responsibility for its annual audit between elected auditors or an appointed CPA.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 982 (DUSH) – Amends the Second Class Township Code by authorizing townships to accept irrevocable letters of credit as a form of contract security.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 1054 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Overdose Mapping Act to add EMS providers as mandated reports to the Overdose Information Network system.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have an effect on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1234 (FREEMAN) – Amends the Third Class City Code in a manner consistent with recent revisions to the First Class Township Code as comprehensively updated by Act 96 of 2020.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds, but may affect city funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1295 (MULLINS) – Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations) to make changes to the process for disciplinary hearings conducted by the Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1661 (METZGAR) – Amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act by criminalizing the illicit possession and use of xylazine and provides for certain veterinary use exemptions.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth revenues and DOC costs.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 23-1, with Senator Saval voting no.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, February 7 , 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 792 (ROBINSON) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to make changes regarding urban search and rescue task forces
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth and local funds however the scope of that impact is unknown due to variable factors. See the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1564 (CERRATO) – Amends the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act by creating an associate marriage and family therapist license and an associate professional counselor license
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will affect Commonwealth funds. See the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, February 5, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 228 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Establishes the Museum Unclaimed Loaned Property Act
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 403 (BAKER) – Amends the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law to update licensing requirements of professional engineers, and provide updates to the practice of engineering, engineer interns, surveyors-in-training and distance education
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 745 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends Title 62 (Procurement) to utilize National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards in state contracts for information technology commodities and services
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- Amendment A03073 – Clarifies the NIST guidelines are the NIST Special Publication 800-series which are in effect as of the effective date of this section.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill, as amended, was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 832 (YAW) – Amends Title 72 (State Government) to establish the Independent Energy Office
- Fiscal Impact: The creation of a new IEO would have adverse fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 8 N, with Senator Haywood on leave.
HB 1246 (MALAGARI) – Establishes the Crematory Regulation Act
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1354 (YOUNG) – Amends the Child Labor Act to increase criminal penalties for Act violations, went over in its order.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, December 13, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 55 (SANTARSIERO) – Amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) and Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) with regard to awarding the custody of a child.
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 907 (REGAN) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for school security personnel.
- Fiscal Impact, without amendment: This legislation would impose additional salary and benefits costs to school districts who are not already in compliance (by already employing armed security personnel in all of their buildings). Once the provisions of the bill are fully implemented, salary costs alone could vary between $106 and $177 million per year. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- Amendment A03326: This amendment removes the requirement that a school entity have exactly “one” armed school security personnel and replaces it with a requirement that the school entity have “at least one full-time” armed personnel on duty during the day by the 2024-25 school year. The amendment also removes the ramp-up provision in Section 1316-C, which would have required 33% of school buildings to have an armed guard by 2025-26, 66% by 2026-27 and 100% by 2027-28.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
HB 666 (BULLOCK) – Amends the Housing Authorities Law (Act 265 of 1937) to provide for contracts with employees of a housing authority in a city of the first class.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this bill will have no impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 Y – 1 N, with Senator Langerholc voting in the negative.
HB 689 (HARRIS) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to expand offenses eligible for clean slate limited access and limited access petitions.
- Fiscal Impact: This fiscal note assumes that any costs associated with updating the Administrative Offices of Pennsylvania Courts’ clean slate process would be covered with existing budgetary resources.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1284 (NEILSON) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to make changes related to automated camera enforcement programs.
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would generate additional revenue to a restricted account in the Motor License Fund to be used for the Transportation Enhancement Grants Program. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1478 (CEPHAS) – Amends the Public School Code further providing for dental examinations and dental hygiene services.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, December 12, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 721 (SCHWANK) – Establishes the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) State Advisory Board.
- Fiscal Impact: This fiscal analysis assumes that any activities of the Board can be covered within existing departmental resources.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 613 (HARRIS) – University of Pennsylvania funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact, WITHOUT AMENDMENT: This legislation appropriates $32.293 million is for the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary activities; and $1.931 million is for the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Infectious Diseases for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Both represent a funding increase of 2% over General Fund appropriations in the current 2022-23 fiscal year. These amounts are identical to those recommended in the Governor’s 2023-24 Executive Budget.
- Amendment A03286– This amendment reduces the appropriations for veterinary activities from $32,293,000 to $31,660,000 and for the Center for Infectious Diseases from $1,931,000 to $1,893,000. The revised amounts reflect level-funding with the prior 2022-23 fiscal year.
- VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted 16 Y – 8 N, with Senators Haywood, Miller, Santarsiero , Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
HB 900 (CEPHAS) – Amends Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) to implement and codify various best practices related to the incarceration of women.
- Fiscal Impact: Any potential fiscal implications at the state level stemming from enactment of the legislation are anticipated to be handled with existing resources. Due to unknown variables, any potential fiscal implications at the local level cannot be quantified at this time. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1096 (MALAGARI) – Amends the Liquor Code to allow amusement parks and public gardens to obtain a public venue license and provides that hotel liquor licenses issued before 1965 can be converted to a restaurant liquor license for a fee.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will likely result in additional revenues for the Commonwealth. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee This fiscal analysis assumes that any activities of the Board can be covered within
- existing departmental resources unanimously.
HB 1131 (BOROWSKI) – Amends Act 218 of 1905 to authorize the Department of Health to close state health centers when a county has elected to operate its own county health department.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1258 (KINSEY) – Amends the Public School Code to allow school entities to fully include students participating in dual enrollment programs in their Average Daily Membership calculation.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this bill will have no adverse impact to Commonwealth funds, and some school districts may experience nominal fluctuations in their budget attributable to an increased ADM.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, December 11, 2023 and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 142 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Funeral Director Law to provide for licensure in the event of a deceased licensee.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 634 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Right-to-Know Law to permit disability accommodation materials provided for a public official to be exempt from disclosure.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 943 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends the Travel Insurance Modernization Act to further provide for a comprehensive legal framework for the sale of travel insurance to residents of the Commonwealth.
- Fiscal Impact: This fiscal analysis assumes that implementation costs the Insurance Department may occur can be covered within existing departmental resources.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 979 (CULVER) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to provide the Department of Agriculture with the authority to require the posting of notices regarding information on dangerous transmissible diseases.
- Fiscal Impact: This bill would have no adverse fiscal impact to the Commonwealth.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 38 (MUSTELLO) – Amends the Liquor Code to allow a liquor license to be transferred when given prior approval, contingent on a surcharge.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will result in additional revenues for the State Stores Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 269 (WEBSTER) – Amends Title 16 (Counties) by protecting the confidentiality of discharge records of military personnel and veterans.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1160 (N. NELSON) – Amends the Liquor Code to provide for the expansion of off-premises catering permits by applicable licensees.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will likely result in additional revenues for the State Stores Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1278 (PIELLI) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to authorize state parole agents and police officers employed by the Department of Corrections to wear body cameras and to extend the expiration of the Wiretap Act to December 31, 2029.
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 20 Y – 4 N, with Senators Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, and Hughes voting in the negative.
HB 1507 (TOPPER) – Amends the Public School Code to increase flexibility for school entities to schedule instructional time.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this bill would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, November 14, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 596 (ARGALL) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to provide for the offense of organized retail theft and to establish the Office of Deputy Attorney General for Organized Retail Crime Theft.
- Fiscal Impact: The Office of Attorney General estimates the annual costs to comply with the provisions of this legislation are $2.352 million plus additional one-time startup costs of $519,632.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 18 Y – 6 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Street, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.
SB 910 (COLEMAN) – Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)), providing for the expungement of certain civil penalties.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 301 (HARKINS) – Amends the Public School Code to replace and update outdated terminology to conform with modern usage.
- Fiscal Impact (PRE-AMENDMENT): Enactment of this legislation will not have an impact on Commonwealth funds. Funds have already been appropriated to address this issue.
- Amendment A03007 (FERRY) – Omnibus school code amendment
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Kearney, Saval, and Street coming in the negative.
- Amendment A02952 – Level-Up Amendment
- VOTE: The amendment was tabled by a party-line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a vote of 22 Y – 2 N with Senators Kearney and Saval voting in the negative.
HB 1058 (KRAJEWSKI) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary & Judicial Procedure) requiring courts to solicit and consider the opinions of potential kinship care resources in child custody proceedings.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse impact on commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1556 (KLUNK) – Amends the Right to Know Law to require state-related institutions to report additional information on an annual basis.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
NOTE: HB1304 and HB1540 were pulled from the agenda.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 24, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 7 (AUMENT) – Amends the Public School Code to require school entities to develop policy that provides parental control relating to instructional materials and books containing sexually explicit content
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds. Local school districts will incur potentially significant costs related to implementation of this bill. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 340 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Public School Code to require school entities to post information online relating to textbooks and instructional courses offered in the school entity
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds. Local school districts will incur potentially significant costs related to implementation of this bill. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 438 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to create a Veteran-Owned Business Logo for use by veteran-owned businesses
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation allows for the collection of fees to offset costs to administer the program and to provide increased revenue to the Veterans’ Trust Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- Amendment A02726- Removes the provisions of the bill relating to fees charged to use the veteran owned business logo
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- Amendment A02726- Removes the provisions of the bill relating to fees charged to use the veteran owned business logo
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 689 (YAW) – Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to allow municipalities and PennDOT to apply for a permit to continuously maintain, inspect and monitor watercourses, water obstructions, and encroachments specified within permits
- Fiscal Impact:
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 8 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Miller, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.
SB 690 (YAW) – Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to provide for county conservation district stream reconstruction emergency permit authorizations
- Fiscal Impact:
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 17 Y – 7 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.
SB 959 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetics Act to provide for the automatic scheduling of a substance when the substance is added to the schedules as a controlled substance under Federal law
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 8 N, with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.
HB 295 (RABB) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to align the registration process and tonnage reporting for the soil and plant amendment program under Chapter 69 with those for fertilizer under Chapter 68
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1170 (SAPPEY) – Amends the Milk Marketing Law to rename the Milk Marketing Board to the Pennsylvania Milk Board
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, October 23, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 353 (DUSH) – Establishes the Display of the Preamble of the Constitution of Pennsylvania Act, which will require school entities to display the Preamble of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds but would impact local funds. See the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Kearney, Saval and Santarsiero voting in the negative.
SB 456 (DUSH) – Establishes the Display of the Preamble Act, which will require school entities to display the Preamble of the United States Constitution.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds but would impact local funds. See the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Kearney, Saval and Santarsiero voting in the negative.
HB 156 (PASHINSKI) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to make changes to the Pennsylvania Fertilizer Law.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 157 (PASHINSKI) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to authorize the development of a PA Preferred Organic trademark.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1094 (MUNROE) – Amens the Public School Code to require school districts to develop policy for the advanced enrollment of students whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the armed forces.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds. This fiscal analysis assumes that any impacts to school districts will be minimal to none.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 17, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
HB 735 (WARREN) – Establishes the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have a minimal on commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1351 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Human Services Code to make changes to the Rural Health Redesign Center Authority and implement provisions related to the General Appropriations Act of 2023.
- Fiscal Impact: E Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds and would result in additional savings to the General Fund in the MA program. However, failure to enact this legislation would adversely impact commonwealth funds and those entities receiving payments.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, October 16, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 897 (BAKER) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) increasing the penalties for moving violations in relation to school buses.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have a minimal impact on the Motor License Fund. Additional fines levied under this legislation would result in revenue to the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 933 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to reform the structure of the advisory councils that oversee the operation of each of the state veterans’ homes.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth
- funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 934 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends the Municipalities Planning Code to exempt the Turnpike Commission from local ordinances.
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on the PTC.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 – 1 N with Senator Haywood voting in the negative.
SB 941 (BROOKS) – Amends the Administrative Code, as it relates to reporting by Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) for staffing requirements flexibilities for licensed addiction treatment programs during an opioid epidemic.
- Fiscal Impact: Reporting on regulatory flexibilities should have minimal to no impact on commonwealth funds. The requirement to collect workforce data and report on a quarterly basis may require additional resources, as this data is not currently reported at the department level. The department is currently reviewing these provisions, so no estimates are available at this time.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 404 (WATRO) – Amends Title 51 further providing for persons to retain their professional and occupational licenses when inducted or drafted into military service by expanding listed agencies to include the departments of Health and Agriculture.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Monday, October 2, 2023 and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 69 (LANGERHOLC) – Establishes the Recovery-to-Work Act
- Fiscal Impact: L&I believes it will need $4.660 million to implement an effective two-year pilot program to serve 100 individuals, or $46,608 per participant. Please see the fiscal note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 423 (J. WARD) – Amends Title 71 (State Government) to permit State Employees’ Retirement System annuitants to return to work as part-time, state-certified fire instructors while keeping continued benefit payments
- Fiscal Impact: Per the actuarial note provided by the Independent Fiscal Office, this legislation would have a de minimis cost impact on the State Employees’ Retirement Fund
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 531 (BAKER) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to require legislative input into the Veterans’ Trust Fund grant process
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 799 (ROTHMAN) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to permit counties to dedicate supplemental bridge allocations to municipalities for maintaining bridges
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 824 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act to provide for free credit monitoring for victims of data breaches
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Governor’s Budget Office and Office of Attorney General, enactment of this legislation would not adversely impact Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, September 20, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 851 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to extend the temporary regulations for the School Bus Stop Arm Camera Enforcement Program from five years to six years, or upon promulgation of final regulations
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 27 (STRUZZI) – Amends the Public School Code to temporarily extend or make permanent certain substitute teacher and classroom monitor permit provisions under Act 91 of 2021, consolidates school safety programs within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and allocates K-12 mental health funding
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation transfers funds between the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, relating to school safety. Please see Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 17 Y – 6 N, with Senators Kearney, Haywood, Miller, Saval, Schwank, and Street voting in the negative.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, September 19, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 224 (ARGALL) – Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to change the General primary date for 2024 to March 19, 2024
- Fiscal Impact: The Department of State estimates the cost associated with hiring temporary staff to handle the earlier petition period to be approximately $400,000. Additional one-time costs may also be incurred at the local level.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 654 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Tax Reform Code to allow a taxpayer to claim a percentage depletion deduction for depletion of a mine, oil and gas well and other natural deposit in conformity with federal law
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would reduce General Fund revenues by $7.8 million in FY 2023-24 and $7.2 million in FY 2024-25.See Fiscal Note for five year estimated fiscal impact.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 21 Y – 2 N, with Senators Saval and Haywood voting in the negative.
SB 815 (BAKER) – Amends the Tax Code to provide that the grantor of a trust who is treated as the owner of the trust pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be obligated to pay the appropriate Pennsylvania income taxes
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have a minimal fiscal impact on the General Fund. See Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 797 (B. MILLER) – Amends the State Highway Law to require PennDOT to plant native vegetation along state highways
- Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
- A01956: Technical Amendment
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
HB 1171 (HILL-EVANS) – Amends the Combustible and Flammable Liquids Act to increase the maximum distance between emergency shut-off devices and fuel dispensers from 200 feet to 350 feet
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
Note: Senator Hughes was on personal leave.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, September 18, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 282 (ARGALL) – Creates the Restrictions for Associations with Russia and Belarus Act to prohibit the Commonwealth from entering into contracts or other contractual relations with Russia or Belarus
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on the General Fund. Costs related to implementation should be minimal and covered within current operating budgets.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 373 (BAKER) – Amends the State Lottery Law to provide for confidentiality of certain prizewinner identities
- Fiscal Impact: This fiscal analysis assumes minimal to no impact on Lottery sales if prizewinner information is limited to municipality and county of residence, based on anonymous Lottery winners in other states. However, please note the PA Lottery believes that providing some prizewinners information builds public trust in the fairness of their games and full anonymity could impact future product sales.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 382 (LAUGHLIN) – Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to define structures that may prevent shore erosion, and to lower the permit fee required to construct, repair or remove such structures
- Fiscal Impact: According to DEP, reducing the fee charged for privately owned groin structures would result in an annual revenue loss of $13,000 for the Clean Water Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 712 (BROWN) – Amends the Clinical Laboratory Act to exempt source plasma donation centers from the Act’s provisions, and to add new sections relating to advertisements for laboratory tests and plasmapheresis
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not significantly impact commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 749 (DUSH) – Amends the Second Class Township Code to prohibit the surcharge of township officials who have acted in good faith on a solicitor’s opinion, and to provide for the appointment of a partnership, limited partnership, association or professional corporation to act as the township manager
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 754 (BROWN) – Amends the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to provide for the electronic transmission of certain documents
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 773 (GEBHARD) – Amends the Medical Marijuana Act to provide for additional permits to independent growers/processors
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 20 Y – 2 N, with Senators Saval and Street voting in the negative.
SB 843 (ARGALL) – Amends the Public School Code to authorize Pennsylvania’s entry into the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
- Fiscal Impact: The Department of Education estimates an annual cost of $200,000 to implement the provisions of the compact, if the Commonwealth ends up joining. There may also be additional costs to the Commonwealth. See Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, August 30, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.:
SB 757 (STEFANO) – Amends the Fiscal Code to clarify budget implementation language for the Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Fiscal Impact, without amendment: Enactment of this legislation should have no impact on commonwealth funds
- A01921 (MARTIN)– Omnibus amendment see Fiscal Note
- VOTE, on amendment: party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
- A01926 (MILLER)– NIZ amendment
- MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9N.
HB 1209 (TWARDZIK) – Amends the Tobacco Product Manufacturer Directory Act to make changes relating to nonparticipating manufacturers as well as impose bond requirements
- Fiscal Impact:
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1300 (MEHAFFIE) – Amends Act64 of 2015 which established the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council, to add a council member from the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Fiscal Impact, without amendment: Enactment of this legislation should have no impact on commonwealth funds.
- A01922 (MARTIN)– Omnibus amendment see Fiscal Note
- VOTE, on amendment: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N
- MOTION TO TABLE BILL AS AMENDED: Party line vote of 15 N – 9 Y.
- A01916 (HUGHES)– Whole Home Repairs Amendment
- MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
- A01918 (HUGHES)– Level Up Supplement
- MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
- A01924 (HUGHES)– Student teacher stipend
- MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
- A01925 (HUGHES)- Indigent Defense
- MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
HB 1407 (BOYD) – Amends the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Act to repeal the current method of measurement
- Fiscal Impact:
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Friday, June 30, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.
HB 611 (HARRIS) – General Appropriation Act of 2023
- Fiscal Impact: Amounts included in House Bill 611 reflect the current 2022-23 fiscal year’s General Appropriations Act. An amendment is expected as part of the budget process for 2023-24.
- A01724 – Gut and Replace amendment. See Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
HB 1100 (SAMUELSON) – Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act to expand the Property Tax Rent Rebate program by increasing income limits and the reimbursement amount for both homeowners and renters
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact the Lottery Fund and indirectly the Property Tax Relief Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, June 29, 2023, and reported the following bill from committee:
HB 479 (BOROWSKI) – Removing the twenty loaded miles reimbursement policy contained in the state’s Medical Assistance reimbursement program for ground ambulance transportation.
- A01648 (Martin) – Gut and replace amendment converting the bill from the Human Services Code to the Fiscal Code and creating within the State Treasury the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program (PASS), a private school voucher program for eligible K-12 students residing in low-achieving school catchment areas.
- AMENDMENT VOTE: The amendment was adopted 15-9 on a party line vote
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation as amended will cost the commonwealth approximately $103M for the PASS program in FY 2023-2024 and will incur additional costs in the Medical Assistance in FY 2024-2025. See Fiscal Note for full details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported as amended out of committee 15-9 on a party line vote.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 28, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 44 (DUSH) – Amends Titles 18 (Crimes & Offenses) and 23 (Domestic Relations) in human trafficking.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 45 (COLLETT) – Amends the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 125 (DUSH) – Amends Title 25 (Elections) requiring Pennsylvania to work with other states to perform voter cross-check functions and notify counties of ineligible voters.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of party-line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 146 (BREWSTER) – Amends Title 30 (Fish) to allow for a therapeutic recreation exemption for fishing licenses.
- Fiscal Impact: The PA Fish and Boat Commission does not anticipate significant fiscal implications for the Fish Fund from enactment of the legislation. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 371 (BAKER) – Amends the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law by creating the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have fiscal impact on Commonwealth and Local Funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 804 (BURNS) – Amends Act 287 of 1982 to change residency requirements for public institutions of higher education or private institutions that receive a non-preferred appropriation to provide in-state tuition rates to veterans, military personnel and their dependent children and spouses when residency is established.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 27, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
HB 613 (HARRIS) – University of Pennsylvania funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 614 (HARRIS) – Professional Licensure Augmentation Account funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 615 (HARRIS) – Workmen’s Compensation Administration funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 616 (HARRIS) – Office of Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 617 (HARRIS) – Office of Consumer Advocate funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 618 (HARRIS) – Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 619 (HARRIS) – State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 620 (HARRIS) – Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 621 (HARRIS) – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 622 (HARRIS) – Gaming Control Appropriation Act of 2023.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 623 (HARRIS) – Capital Budget Act of 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation provides for the Capital Budget Act of 2023-2024. The maximum principal amount of additional debt to be incurred by the Commonwealth is $1.335 billion. In addition, the Commonwealth will incur interest payments on the general obligation bonds issued. The amount of debt service on the outstanding general obligation bonds will be dependent on interest rates at the time of the bond sale. The proceeds from the bond sale will be deposited into the Capital Facilities Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 1461 (HARRIS) – Lincoln University funding for FY 2023-24
- Fiscal Impact: This appropriation represents an increase of $3.834 million (25.3%) in state General Funds over the current 2022-23 fiscal year. When accounting for one-time federal funding in the current year, the increase is $3.076 million (19.3%).
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 683 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to require urine drug screening for fentanyl and xylazine in hospitals.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 740 (REGAN) – Amends the Second Class Township Code regarding the compensation of auditors.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 750 (MARTIN) – Amends the Public School Code to provide that beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, all students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to completing high school.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 765 (COMITTA) – Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) to make several changes to the Borough Code in line with recent updates to the First Class Township Code.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note regarding possible savings to local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 774 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends Title 11 (Cities) to allow a third class city to appoint a partnership, limited partnership, association or professional corporation as the city administrator.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 775 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide for emergency meeting powers and succession of local officers during an emergency.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 784 (KEARNEY) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide an alternative process for the formation of a government study commission to consider home rule for municipalities currently in the Act 47 recovery program.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 838 (BAKER) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedures) to establish probation review conferences and limits on total confinement for technical violations.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds and could result in an estimated savings to the Department of Corrections. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N, with Senators Dush, Langerholc, and Saval voting in the negative.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 26, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 209 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Public School Code to allow children of a member of the National Guard or Reserves to be afforded the same rights as a child eligible under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children Act.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds but may have a minimal impact on local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 260 (ROBINSON) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) to authorize parole agents to wear body cameras that can capture their encounters with parolees.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds as it simply authorizes parole agents and BII personnel to wear body cameras and does not appropriate funding for this purpose.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 22 Y – 2 N, with Senators Hughes and Saval voting in the negative.
SB 500 (BROOKS) – Amends the Human Services Code to provide for medical assistance coverage for pasteurized donor human milk.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact commonwealth and federal funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 756 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act to allow the use of recycled materials in stuffed toys sold in Pennsylvania and to update labeling requirements.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 836 (FARRY) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide for definitions and for powers and duties of the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, June 22, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 37 (BROWN) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to establish a prohibition on holding an interactive communications device while operating a motor vehicle.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may result in additional revenue to Commonwealth or local funds depending on citations issued. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 20 Y – 4 N, with Senators Hughes, Haywood, Saval, and Street voting in the negative.
SB 81 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends the Pharmacy Act by permitting EMS providers to distribute Naloxone to a caregiver of a patient that has overdosed.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 149 (BREWSTER) – Amends the Real Estate Tax Sale Law to allow counties to impose a fee on properties sold for delinquent taxes and to create a demolition and rehabilitation fund.
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. There would be a local funds impact to the extent counties opt-in to the fee and designated fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 23 Y – 1 N, with Senator Phillips-Hill voting in the negative.
SB 344 (GEBHARD) – Amends Title 34 (Game) to allow nonresident college students to purchase hunting licenses at the same cost as Pennsylvania resident licenses.
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation is expected to have minimal fiscal impact on the Game Fund. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 490 (MARTIN) – General Appropriation Act of 2023.
- Fiscal Impact: Currently, this legislation only has two state appropriations, totaling $30.128 million.
- NOTE: This bill currently only contains two state appropriations. This is customary practice to get required legislative readings in preparation for a final budget amendment as part of a negotiated package.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 506 (BAKER) – Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) to update requirements related to alleged incapacitated persons and appointed guardians.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth and local funds. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 611 (HARRIS) – General Appropriation Act of 2023.
- Fiscal Impact: Amounts included in House Bill 611 currently reflect the proposal sent by the House of Representatives on June 5, 2023. This fiscal analysis reflects the current printer’s number as passed by the House of Representatives on June 5, 2023, prior to any amendment in the Senate.
- Amendment A01156 – This bill will be amended by A01156 in the Appropriations Committee to reflect current fiscal year 2022-23 appropriations only. This is customary practice to get required legislative readings in preparation for a final budget amendment as part of a negotiated package.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 21, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 561 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to provide an exception for late model vehicles from emissions testing, including up to five years after the vehicle’s date of manufacture.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact Commonwealth funds and potentially federal funds received by the Commonwealth. Please see the Fiscal Note section for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 562 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to exempt certain counties from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds and potentially federal funds received by the Commonwealth.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 656 (ROTHMAN) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to establish a road user charge for non-commercial passenger electric vehicles weighing not more than 14,000 pounds and repeals the at-home electricity reporting for electric vehicles.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation is estimated to yield a net increase of revenue to the Motor License Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note section for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Hughes, Santarsiero, and Saval voting in the negative.
SB 694 (FARRY) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to repeal an outdated provision of the Fireworks Law.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 753 (KEARNEY) – Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) to make technical changes and to create a new chapter regarding solid waste collection and disposal.
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds, and there may be savings for local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note section for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 20, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 198 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Environmental Hearing Board Act to make changes to the standard of review of the board.
- Fiscal Impact: According to DEP, the legislation could result in the need for operational adjustments to accommodate changes to the review process for permit appeals. However, DEP is currently unable to determine how these changes would impact operational needs to identify cost implications. The Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee is awaiting further information from DEP on this matter.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 199 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Environmental Hearing Board Act to require that board members seeking reappointment by the Governor receive the consent of a majority of the members elected to the Senate.
- Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
SB 246 (ARGALL) – Amends the Governor and Lieutenant Governor Disability Procedure Law to add requirements of notification of incapacitation.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 414 (VOGEL) – Establishes the Sexual Assault Emergency Services Act.
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of Health, enactment of this legislation may impact commonwealth funds, due to IT and staffing costs. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information and estimates.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 19, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 290 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for a moment of silence on the anniversary of September 11 and a related model curriculum.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds but may have a minimal impact on local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 481 (MARTIN) – Professional Licensure Augmentation Account funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts in this legislation reflect adjusted appropriations, $72.280 million, in the current 2022-23 fiscal year. The Governor’s 2023-24 Executive Budget recommends total funding of $90.264 million for the Department of State in support of its professional licensure boards.
- Amendment A00881 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 482 (MARTIN) – Workmen’s Compensation Administration funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts set forth in the legislation are identical to the funding appropriated in the current 2022-23 FY. The Governor’s Executive Budget for FY 2023-24 recommends amounts of $75.802 million and $550,000, respectively.
- Amendment A00896 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 483 (MARTIN) – Office of Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts set forth in the legislation are identical to the funding appropriated in the
- current 2022-23 fiscal year. The Governor’s Executive Budget for 2023-24 recommends funding of $1.910 million.
- Amendment A01125 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 484 (MARTIN) – Office of Consumer Advocate funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriation noted above reflects the amount identical to that appropriated in the current 2022-2023 fiscal year. The Governor’s 2023-2024 Executive Budget recommends an appropriation of $6.752 million in the upcoming budget year.
- Amendment A00882 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 485 (MARTIN) – Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations provided for in Senate Bill 485 reflect the same amounts as the current 2022-23 fiscal year. The recommended appropriations from the Governor’s Office of the Budget are $57.489 million and $1.182 million from the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund and PSERS Defined Contribution Fund to the Public School Employees’ Retirement Board, respectively.
- Amendment A00735 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 486 (MARTIN) – State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations provided for in Senate Bill 486 reflect the same amounts as the current 2022-23 fiscal year. The recommended appropriations from the Governor’s Office of the Budget are $35.960 million and $5.345 million from the State Employees’ Retirement Fund and SERS Defined Contribution Fund to the State Employees’ Retirement Board, respectively.
- Amendment A00734 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 487 (MARTIN) – Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The appropriations provided for in Senate Bill 487 reflect the same amounts as the current 2022-23 fiscal year. The recommended appropriations from the Governor’s Office of the Budget are $2.683 million from the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund and $200,000 from the Philadelphia Taxicab Medallion Fund to the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
- Amendment A00845 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 488 (MARTIN) – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2023-24.
- Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2022-23 fiscal year funding levels. The amounts recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office are $82.896 million for PUC operations and $5.538 million in federal funds total for pipeline and motor carrier safety.
- Amendment A0884 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 489 (MARTIN) – Gaming Control Appropriation Act of 2023.
- Fiscal Impact: Senate Bill 489 appropriates $92.107 million from the State Gaming Fund, $518,000 from the Fantasy Contest Fund and $1.158 million from the Video Gaming Fund. These appropriations reflect current fiscal year levels. The revised 2023-24 request from the Governor’s Budget Office is $98.096 million from the State Gaming Fund, $698,000 from the Fantasy Contest Fund and $1.158 million from the Video Gaming Fund.
- Amendment A0885 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
SB 607 (J. WARD) – Amends the State Lottery Law to provide that enrollees in the PACE and PACENET programs as of December 31, 2022, will remain eligible for the programs if their maximum income limit is exceeded due solely to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on Commonwealth Lottery Funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 746 (VOGEL) – Amends the Dog Law allowing for modernization, improved customer service, enhanced public safety and animal welfare protections.
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation is expected to generate approximately $3.416 million in additional revenue in fiscal year 2023-24. See Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 7, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 202 (FONTANA) – Amends the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law to allow cities of the second class and counties of the second class to acquire property at sheriff sales.
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
HB 739 (BOYLE) – Amends Title 40 (Insurance) to require licensees to certify compliance with information security risk assessments and to add certain notification requirements.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds, which can be absorbed within existing operating budgets.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 5, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 24 (DISANTO) – Amends the Fiscal Code to allow the State Treasurer to automatically return unclaimed property to the rightful owner when the value of the property is less than $5,000 regardless of whether a claim has been filed.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will impact commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 152 (J. WARD) – Repeals the Frozen Dessert Law (Act 215 of 1965).
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth Funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 361 (J. WARD) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to increase the number of Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas in five judicial districts.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will impact commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 429 (REGAN) – Amends the Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law (Heart and Lung Act) to add several additional classes of employees to coverage under the act.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will impact commonwealth, local, and institutional funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 Y – 1 N with Senator Saval voting in the negative.
SB 497 (ROBINSON) – Establishes the Max Manufacturing Initiative Fund.
- Fiscal Impact: Implementation of the programs set forth in the legislation is contingent on appropriation by the General Assembly. At this time, no funding has been allocated for this purpose.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 691 (YAW) – Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act to rename the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Environmental Services.
- Fiscal Impact: According to DEP, changing the name of the department could result in significant costs to rebrand documents, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, websites, and other items related to the department’s operations. The department does not have room to accommodate significant new costs within its existing resources.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, May 9, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 262 (SCHWANK) – Amends the Maternal Mortality Review Act to require the Department of Health to publish data on severe maternal morbidity.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have an adverse impact of commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 350 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Establishes the Permit Administration Act.
- Fiscal Impact: The implementation of this legislation will have significant cost to various state agencies that issue permits. According to the Administration, the known costs to major permit issuing agencies would be an estimated $63-67 million in the first impacted fiscal year. More detail and other possible fiscal implications can be found in the Fiscal Note.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee on a party line vote (15 Y – 8N), Senator Hughes was absent.
SB 453 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75 (Vehicles) to make technical changes to address recent DUI court cases and improve the ignition interlock process.
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have minimal fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 1 N with Senator Saval coming in the negative, Senator Hughes was absent.
The committee went over SB 633.
SB 633 (COLEMAN) – Establishes the Regulatory Sandbox Program Act.
- Fiscal Impact: Costs associated with implementing this act may be offset through permissible fees.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, May 8, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 188 (DISANTO) – Requires the General Assembly and the Governor to approve all regulations with an economic impact or cost to the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions and to the private sector that exceeds $1 million
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of Senate Bill 188 may have cost and/or revenue implications for the commonwealth and its political subdivisions. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote (15 Y – 9 N).
SB 190 (BROOKS) – Provides for an automatic three-year review of economically significant regulations
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Governor’s Budget Office, agencies may incur personnel and administrative costs as a result of being required to research economically significant regulations and issue reports. Fee revenue could also be in jeopardy as regulations relating to fee structures could be deemed economically significant and thus could possibly be amended or rescinded.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote (15 Y – 9 N).
SB 248 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 64 (Public Authorities and Quasi-Public Corporations) to establish the Veteran-Owned Business Loan Guarantee Program within the Commonwealth Financing Authority
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have minimal fiscal impact relating to administration of the new program. Additionally, this legislation transfers $5 million from the Second Stage Loan Program to the Veteran-owned Business Loan Guarantee Program.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 411 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends Title 30 (Fish) to streamline and modernize the way fishing licenses are issues for disabled veterans and military personnel in Pennsylvania
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Fish and Boat Commission, the legislation would have minimal fiscal implications on the Fish Fund by expanding eligibility for reduced cost fishing licenses for members of the PA National Guard and reserve components of the armed forces. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 460 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Public School Code to establish the Child Reunification Act
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds, see the Fiscal Note for further information
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 647 (GEBHARD) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for a personal financial literacy course
- Fiscal Impact: The department notes both Commonwealth and local costs associated with this legislation. Local schools will be required to bear the costs of teachers earning add-ons to their certificates for this course and any additional instructors, if necessary. PDE will realize minimal costs to develop the course.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 Y – 1 N with Senator Saval voting in the negative.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, May 2, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.
SB 140 (LANGERHOLC) – Establishes the Mass Transit Special Prosecutor Program
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation may impact Commonwealth and Local Funds, please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.
SB 243 (ARGALL) – Amends the Human Services Code to require the Department of Human Services to check monthly all Medical Assistance and SNAP enrollees against the Department of Health Vital Statistics death certificate filings
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth or federal funds. The department already has state and federally required systems in place to ensure no deceased person continues to receive benefits.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.
SB 244 (ARGALL) – Amends the Humans Services Code to require the Department of Human Services to check wage records held by the Department of Labor & Industry against Medical Assistance and SNAP enrollees on a quarterly basis
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth or federal funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.
SB 245 (ARGALL) – Amends the Human Services Code to require annual reporting regarding program eligibility by the Department of Human Services
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have a minimal fiscal impact to update information technology infrastructure in the Electronic Client Information System.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.
SB 671 (FARRY) – Amends the Local Tax Enabling Act by adding a new chapter with regard to local taxes in cities of the first class and makes related repeals
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of Revenue for the City of Philadelphia the annual revenue loss to Philadelphia would be $191.0 million. It is assumed that the Department of Education and the Department of Community and Economic Development will be able to absorb any associated costs related to the implementation of this legislation using their current operating budgets. Last, the Property Tax Relief Fund would realize a cost savings of approximately $28.3 million per fiscal year due to the repeal of Section 324 of the Taxpayer Relief Act, which requires the Property Tax Relief Fund to reimburse school districts for nonresident wage taxes.
- Motion to Table: Failed on a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 8 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Miller, Saval, Schwank, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, May 1, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 165 (TARTAGLIONE) – Amends The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to prohibit safe injection sites in the Commonwealth
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth Funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 18 Y – 5 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Saval and Schwank voting in the negative. Senator Brown was absent.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, April 24, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.
- SB 137 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Telemarketer Registration Act to require information sharing between the Office of Attorney General and the Department of Aging
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- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
- SB 232 (BROOKS) – Amends the Public School Code to establish protocols for removing ticks from a student
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- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
- SB 239 (ARGALL) – Creates the Correctional and Forensic Employees Investigation Procedure Act
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- Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have fiscal implications on DOC and DHS with respect to providing pay and medical benefits for suspended employees in comparison to current practices. See Fiscal Note for details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 18 Y – 6 N with Senators Kearney, Haywood, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, and Street voting in the negative.
- SB 447 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to create the PA VETConnect Program
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- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
- SB 466 (BROWN) – Amends the Economic Development Agency, Fiduciary and Lender Environmental Liability Protection Act to extend environmental liability protections to land banks
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- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
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The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, March 8, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.
- SB 126 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to exclude veterans’ compensation benefits from income calculations when applying for Commonwealth programs.
- Fiscal Impact: This legislation may impact Commonwealth or local funds; see Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
- SB 162 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to enhance the Medical Officer or Health Care Officer Incentive Program.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have minimal impact on commonwealth/local funds. The department anticipates any costs can be covered within existing resources.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
- SB 211 (YAW) – Amends Title 27 (Environmental Resources), providing for decommissioning of solar energy facilities.
- Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the responsibilities outlined for the department in the legislation would require one additional full-time position at a cost of roughly $160,000. A portion of this cost may be incurred in FY 2022-23 depending on when the individual is hired. Per the Local Government Commission, provisions of the legislation could have cost implications for local government entities regarding repealing ordinances and document filing. Please see the fiscal impact section for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 17 Y – 7N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Miller, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, and Street in the negative.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, March 1, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.
- SB 8 (K. WARD) – Amends the Insurance Company Law of 1921 by removing a provision requiring patient cost-sharing for breast imaging and adding a new section to require insurance coverage for all costs associated with genetic counseling and genetic testing for BRCA gene mutations for individuals at increased risk.
- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact commonwealth funds under provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act but is not expected to do so. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of unanimously.
- SB 144 (YAW) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) by prohibiting the use of Class B firefighting foams containing per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances for training or testing.
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- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. Minimal revenue may be realized from the fines levied for violations of the act. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a 16-8 vote with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, February 28, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 115 (STEFANO) – Amends the Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act to make changes to the required scheduled maintenance of diesel powered mining equipment.
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- Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 121 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 to restrict transfers from the Motor License Fund to the Pennsylvania State Police, to phase out funding.
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- Fiscal Impact: The bill would cap the Motor License Fund appropriations to PSP at $250.0 million in fiscal year 2023-24 and reduce it by $50.0 million each fiscal year through fiscal year 2028-29. Those PSP expenditures would then shift to the General Fund or some other source.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee on a party line vote (15-9).
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, January 18, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 95 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 to authorize the use of vehicles with farm vehicle registration plates for home delivery of agricultural products
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- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation could have a minimal fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 114 (BROOKS) – Amends The Public School Code to establish the Secondary Education Fire Training Pilot Program, to provide firefighter training to secondary school students through institutions of higher education, and to establish the Fire Training Fund
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- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have an impact on Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for further details.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 141 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to expand military decoration eligibility to certain civilians and members of a friendly foreign nation
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- Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, January 11, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:
SB 1 (LAUGHLIN) – A Joint Resolution proposing amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide for a two year window for victims of childhood sexual abuse to file previously time barred claims, to provide for the disapproval of regulations, and to require qualified electors to provide valid identification at each election.
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- Fiscal Impact: This legislation carries an estimated net cost of $1.3 to $1.5 million in the current fiscal year. See the Fiscal Note for further information.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 15 Y – 8 N (party line vote with Senator Kearney absent).
SB 35 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 to modify the definition of “average wholesale price,” which is used to determine liquid fuels tax rates for the calendar year
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- Fiscal Impact: The bill would reduce Motor License Fund revenues by an estimated $75.0 million in fiscal year 2022-23 and $112.5 million in fiscal year 2023-24.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 7 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Miller, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.
Senator Vincent Hughes
Chair