HARRISBURG, April 4 – As an advocate for customer protections in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery), announced today he has introduced legislation (H.B. 2186) that would help people avoid falling victim to gift card scams. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 30 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, to increase transparency in data center development in Pennsylvania passed the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support,171-31. “Today’s vote demonstrates how my colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree that Pennsylvanians shouldn’t be left in the dark about the impact data centers will have on their localities and their lives,” Ciresi said. “My necessary legislation would require developers to be open and transparent about the environmental impact with area residents and would give the public the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns about the proposed development.” House Bill 2359 would require developers of data centers with a peak electrical demand of over 10 megawatts to engage with local communities and their residents before construction and disclose information about the facilities’ impact to qualify for a sales tax exemption for data center-related computer equipment. The legislation specifically targets large-scale/high-impact data centers and excludes smaller data centers that do not pose the same environmental or quality-of-life risks to nearby residents. Qualifying data centers would specifically be required to: submit a “community protection plan” documenting the owner/operator’s engagement with the community and municipality before construction, including holding public Read more
“June 30, 2026 Informational Meeting Packet Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Emergency Management Agency: Nonprofit Security Grant Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations Use: Provides funding for physical and cybersecurity enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high-risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack. Funds: This program is funded through FEMA using federal dollars. The maximum award request is $200,000. Application Deadline: July 14, 2026 More information: PEMA Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2026 First Chance Trust Fund Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to any school district identified as having statistically higher high school dropout and incarceration rates based on data from the PA Department of Education and the PA Department of Corrections. Please refer to Appendix A for a full listing of eligible school districts. Use: Direct financial support to eligible students via scholarship, administrative support directly related to the administration of student scholarships and connecting at-risk youth with community-based organizations, or community-based organization (CBO) direct programming support. Funds: A total of $3.3 million in state funding is being made available to support this initiative. PCCD anticipates awarding up to $150,000 per grantee for an initial two-year project period. Application Deadline: August 11, 2026 More Read more
HARRISBURG, June 23 – The Pennsylvania House Communications & Technology Committee today approved legislation that would implement technological safeguards to enhance school safety and protect users of artificial intelligence companion applications. The legislation considered included the following: House Bill 634 (Cepeda-Freytiz) – Requires schools to consider implementing a panic alarm system as part of their reviews of their school safety and security practices. House Bill 2006 (Shusterman) – Establishes safeguards on the use of AI companions, including protocols for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation, self-harm and violent intentions; age assurance, parental consent requirements and protections for minor users; and transparency that the user is not communicating with a human. House Resolution 560 (Pickett) – Recognizes the week of June 22 through 28, 2026 as “Amateur Radio Week” in Pennsylvania. “The two bills advanced today reflect the crucial role that the House Communications & Technology Committee plays in evaluating legislation regarding emerging technologies’ potential impact on our children’s safety,” said state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, chair of the committee. “While the silent panic alarm system can help save lives by alerting law enforcement about a school emergency, we’ve already seen how AI companions can harm individuals—especially those Read more
June 23, 2026 Voting Meeting Packet Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, to increase transparency in data center development was approved Wednesday by the House Energy Committee by a 23-3 vote and now advances to the full House for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – House Communications & Technology Committee Majority Chair Joe Ciresi and state Rep. Liz Hanbidge, both D-Montgomery, today introduced H.B. 2643 to regulate and institute consumer safeguards to cryptocurrency kiosks prevent fraud while allowing responsible use of digital assets. “Scammers are weaponizing a recent financial innovation—cryptocurrency ATMs—and people’s lack of understanding of it to steal their hard-earned savings,” Ciresi said. “This bill would stop that by regulating their operation, instituting necessary safeguards and holding bad actors accountable.” According to Ciresi and Hanbidge, the rapid growth of virtual currency kiosks—commonly known as cryptocurrency ATMs—have expanded access to digital asset transactions while exposing consumers to significant risks. Bad actors increasingly use these machines in scams to target seniors and other vulnerable individuals, who are often directed to deposit cash with little understanding of the transaction or any ability to recover their money. Even for regular users, these kiosks often involve excessive fees and limited consumer protections. The legislation would establish a licensing and regulatory framework for cryptocurrency kiosk operators in Pennsylvania to strengthen transparency, accountability and consumer protection. Operators would be licensed by the Department of Banking and Securities and required to comply with Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – House Communications & Technology Committee Majority Chair Joe Ciresi and state Rep. Liz Hanbidge, both D-Montgomery, today introduced H.B. 2643 to regulate and institute consumer safeguards to cryptocurrency kiosks prevent fraud while allowing responsible use of digital assets. “Scammers are weaponizing a recent financial innovation—cryptocurrency ATMs—and people’s lack of understanding of it to steal their hard-earned savings,” Ciresi said. “This bill would stop that by regulating their operation, instituting necessary safeguards and holding bad actors accountable.” According to Ciresi and Hanbidge, the rapid growth of virtual currency kiosks—commonly known as cryptocurrency ATMs—have expanded access to digital asset transactions while exposing consumers to significant risks. Bad actors increasingly use these machines in scams to target seniors and other vulnerable individuals, who are often directed to deposit cash with little understanding of the transaction or any ability to recover their money. Even for regular users, these kiosks often involve excessive fees and limited consumer protections. The legislation would establish a licensing and regulatory framework for cryptocurrency kiosk operators in Pennsylvania to strengthen transparency, accountability and consumer protection. Operators would be licensed by the Department of Banking and Securities and required to comply Read more
HARRISBURG, June 17 – Continuing its efforts to address the root causes of rising energy prices in Pennsylvania, the House Energy Committee voted favorably to advance key bills that leverage the state’s existing grid infrastructure and next-generation technologies to meet rising demand and improve grid reliability.The bills are: •H.B. 2380: Deploying Battery Storage to Meet Peak Demand.•H.B. 2595: Reducing Interconnection Delays by Slashing Red Tape. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 15 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, majority chair of the House Communications & Technology Committee, today continues to demonstrate leadership on emerging technology issues and consumer protection in Pennsylvania through the introduction of H.B. 2637 that would impose a three-year moratorium on the sale of artificial intelligence chatbot-enabled toys for children to allow for more research on its effects. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy (JJSES) Who May Apply: Private non-profit agency or unit of local government Use: To build on the work that has been completed to date and advance statewide training and technical assistance around the JJSES framework with a strong focus on continuous quality improvement and fundamental fairness Funds: A total of $450,000 in federal Title II Formula Grant funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $450,000 over the 12- month project period. Matching funds are not a requirement of this funding opportunity, but a sustainability plan must be included as part of the application submitted. Application Deadline: July 13, 2026 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvements Who May Apply: State, county, or municipal forensic crime laboratories to support activities that improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services. Use: To improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services throughout Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on combating opioids and synthetic drugs through laboratory accreditation, the certification of forensic scientists, and the purchase of laboratory equipment. Funds: A total of approximately $740,000 in federal Paul Coverdell Forensic Read more
LANCASTER, June 11 – Building on the success of her May event promoting Red Rose Authority’s services, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, will lead a second “Bus it to Market” trip on Saturday, June 27, to Central Market in Lancaster to raise awareness of the region’s affordable bus transportation system. “Residents on last month’s ‘Bus it to Market’ trip told me how much they enjoyed the ease and affordability of RRTA’s bus ride to Central Market,” Rivera said. “I’m leading a second ride so that more of our residents can experience for themselves how central Lancaster City’s eclectic mix of one-of-a-kind shops and creative restaurants is just a short RRTA bus ride away. And knowledge of how to use our public transportation can lead to new job opportunities.” Rivera said that she hopes her Bus It to Market excursions will show residents that RRTA buses are a fast, reliable, and inexpensive way to get to Lancaster and other places in the region. According to Rivera, Lancaster has unhealthy levels of air pollution. She cited the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report, which listed the Lancaster metro area as rejoining the worst 25 cities in the U.S., at 22nd most polluted in the nation and second worst in the Mid-Atlantic for daily particle pollution. The Lancaster area’s year-round pollution went from bad to worse, from 57th to Read more
HARRISBURG, June 10 – In a clear demonstration of bipartisan support for the commonwealth’s first responders, the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee today overwhelmingly approved state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation to establish a statewide program providing free annual cancer screenings for firefighters. House Bill 2394 would ensure that firefighters can access annual cancer screening examinations at no cost when those services are not fully covered by their health insurance. The program would apply to both career and volunteer firefighters across the Commonwealth. According to Ciresi, firefighters’ repeated job-related exposure to cancer-causing chemicals has led the disease to become one of the leading causes of line-of-duty deaths. Studies by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters face a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses, and a 14% increase in cancer-related deaths, compared to the general population in the U.S. “Today’s vote shouts out loud and clear to our firefighters that we recognize the health risk of occupational cancer they uniquely face and that we have their backs,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Currently, many of our firefighters must choose between their health and their families’ finances. That is a moral outrage. My legislation would improve our firefighters’ health outcomes—and shield them from crushing health care Read more
PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Environmental Protection: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program Who May Apply: Pennsylvania residents whose total household income is below 400 percent of the Federal Income Poverty Level. Use: This program provides a rebate to Pennsylvanians who purchase or lease alternative fuel vehicles. Funds: Rebates vary depending on type of vehicle purchased. Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and evaluated on a first come, first served basis as long as funds remain available. Please note applications must be received within six months of the date of the vehicle purchase. More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: WIIN 2107: Voluntary School and Childcare Lead testing and Reduction Grant Who May Apply: Childcare facilities and schools located in Pennsylvania with Read more
HARRISBURG, June 4 – House Communications & Technology Committee Majority Chair, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, is taking a stand to protect Pennsylvanians’ security and privacy by introducing legislation that would require all smart glasses manufactured, sold, and used in Pennsylvania to have a visual indicator that shows when the device is recording video or audio. “My legislation, H.B. 2603, would establish common-sense privacy safeguards for smart glasses to help protect Pennsylvanians from potential misuse of this emerging technology,” Ciresi said. “Smart glasses are an innovative technological advancement, but their design also allows them to easily record or stream without anyone noticing. Considering the implications this has for individual privacy and surveillance, we must take thoughtful, proactive steps to address those risks. The same features that make these devices appealing—the ability to communicate, capture audio and video, and share information instantly—can also be exploited by bad actors to secretly record individuals; help facilitate stalking, harassment or intimidation; or potentially employ real-time facial recognition technology without a person’s knowledge or consent.” According to Ciresi, the legislation would fall under Pennsylvania’s current wiretapping laws and would have similar requirements in line with existing laws regarding recording people. The legislation would require Read more
HARRISBURG, June 3 – Legislation to direct the Office of Attorney General to conduct a public education campaign about artificial intelligence and to improve AI consumer literacy in Pennsylvania overwhelmingly passed the House today (198-3), said the bill’s prime sponsors, House Communications & Technology Committee chairs Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Jason Ortitay, R-Washington/Allegheny. “AI safety starts with informed users,” Ciresi said. “As AI becomes increasingly common in across our daily life, it’s important that we know how to interact with AI safely and responsibly and be educated consumers of online content. Informed public awareness of the risks of AI—from misinformation and hallucinations, emotional dependency, to potentially harmful advice, and more--is essential as we enter this new technological age.” Ciresi believes that while AI has an incredible potential to increase productivity and lead to breakthroughs across countless fields, it is also a Pandora’s box of risks—including bias in outputs, data collection and privacy issues, and “deepfakes” and misinformation—that requires greater public awareness. “Many people don’t yet have a full understanding of AI,” said Ortitay. “As it is becoming a part of everyday life, this legislation will help improve public awareness. Although AI offers significant benefits, it can also be misused. Read more
I’m gearing up for an intense June, when I will be in Harrisburg pushing to get a budget that properly funds the public services on which we all rely.I will keep you updated on progress on the budget on social media and my e-newsletter. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2026/27 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Single Solicitation for Local Initiatives Who May Apply: Units of government (including counties) and non-profit organizations Use: To implement projects and programs that directly address the PCCD Objectives and Goals outlined in PCCD’s 2026-2030 Strategic Framework Funds: A total of $8,221,880 in federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 30-35 grants with budgets not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year project period. Application Deadline: July 14, 2026 More information: PCCD Website Department of Aging: Resilient environments for Aging and Dementia in Your Communities (READY Communities) Who May Apply: Non-profits, county and municipal governments, and coalitions of organizations Use: For community-based projects focused on improving the lives of older adults, people living with dementia, caregivers, and their communities Funds: A total of $325,000 is available with a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum award of $50,000 Application Deadline: June 12, 2026 More information: Aging Website Department of Environmental Protection: Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants Who May Apply: School districts; Municipal authorities; Political subdivisions; Incorporated Read more
HARRISBURG, May 6 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recognized the critical service that public works employees provide in emergency settings by overwhelmingly passing legislation (196–5) Tuesday that would extend to them the same state death benefits that first responders who lose their lives on the job receive. According to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, the impetus for H.B. 1485 was to provide parity for public works employees who lose their lives on the job protecting Pennsylvanians -- just as the state does for first responders. “Public works employees are the ‘silent arm of public safety’ -- they’re the first on the scene of an emergency and the last to leave,” Ciresi said. “Our families, our homes, and our lives are safe because these public workers risk their lives daily under all kinds of conditions. It’s past time to give them the recognition and respect they deserve, as we do for first responders.” House Bill 1485 is modeled after a similar law passed in New Hampshire in 2022. The legislation now moves to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
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