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Ciresi bill requiring transparency in data center development passes House

(9 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

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

 

O’Mara applauds passage of bill to provide greater access to mental health treatment

(10 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, a leading advocate of providing greater access to mental health services, today applauded passage of a bill to allow Pennsylvania to join a national compact that helps get mental health treatment to more people in need. Read more

 

Pa. House votes to classify veterinary sedative as a Schedule III drug

(10 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 30 – The Pennsylvania House today passed a bill that would classify a naloxone-resistant animal sedative, medetomidine, as a Schedule III drug. According to the bill’s prime sponsors, state Reps. Greg Scott and Liz Hanbidge, both of Montgomery County, this is a strategic move to stop the use of medetomidine in street drugs. “We’re seeing increased use of medetomidine in fentanyl and fentanyl-related overdoses,” said Scott. “This is hugely dangerous. Unlike other sedatives that made it to the street drug market, medetomidine doesn’t respond to naloxone – people who overdose on medetomidine-laced fentanyl have a significantly higher risk of dying because overdose-reversing medicines don’t work.” Medetomidine is a non-opioid sedative used by veterinarians. It is not approved for use in people. But data now shows that up to 80 percent of fentanyl samples tested in Pennsylvania contain it, increasing the risk of overdose for people who illegally use fentanyl. “The rapid spread of medetomidine in Pennsylvania's illicit drug supply presents a serious and growing threat to public safety. This dangerous veterinary sedative makes overdoses more difficult to treat, puts first responders at greater risk, and places additional strain on our emergency medical system. As legislators, we have a responsibility to respond before more lives are lost, and that Read more

 

Members of the legislative caucuses representing communities of color applaud Supreme Court decision in Trump v. Barbara

(14 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 30 -- Today, the United States Supreme Court upheld the Constitution and reaffirmed the guarantee of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment—protecting thousands of Pennsylvania children born each year. Every year, over 400,000 children are born to immigrant families in Pennsylvania. Today's decision reaffirms that children born in the U.S., who are raised here and pledge allegiance to our flag, are just as American as those born to citizens. This ruling ensures that these children, along with all children born on U.S. soil, will continue to be recognized as citizens with full rights and protections. “This decision affirms what we have always known: that the Constitution does not discriminate,” said Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus . “But while we celebrate today, we must remain vigilant. The rights of our communities should never be one court case away from being taken.” “The fact that this administration saw fit to challenge a founding tenant of this nation, birthright citizenship, is an indictment of a racist, nationalist governing theology,” said Rep. Napoleon Nelson, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus . “It is also a doomed governing theology that simply doesn’t understand that to be an American and to love this country does not rely on the country loving us back. America has never loved all of its Read more

 

Bill supporting EMS participation by minors passes Pa. House

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 29 – The state House today voted unanimously to update the Pennsylvania Child Labor Act to allow 14- and 15-year-old emergency service volunteers to engage in training and firefighting activities until 10 p.m. on any night of the year. The bill’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, said that this change will help support the pipeline of trained volunteers needed to respond to community emergencies. “By some estimates, Pennsylvania has one-tenth of the volunteer firefighters we had in the 1970s,” Scott said. “Many of our emergency response organizations are chronically understaffed and unable to respond efficiently to calls. It’s a bad situation, and without action, it’s only going to get worse.” Under the state’s Child Labor Act, minors can engage in training or firefighting activities until 10 p.m. the night before a school day. Yet on weekends, holidays and over summer academic breaks, that curfew is only 9 p.m. “The difference between school nights and non-school nights is an oversight that prevents engaged, ambitious young people from helping their communities after an arbitrary timepoint. Making their curfew 10 p.m. all year is a small change that can make a huge difference in an emergency,” Scott said. Under state law, youth may join a volunteer fire company as young as age 14 with Read more

 

Legislation to ban surveillance prices by ride-hailing companies passes House

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Legislation to ban surveillance prices by ride-hailing companies passes House Read more

 

Cryptocurrency corruption prevention bill passes the House

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Cryptocurrency corruption prevention bill passes the House Read more

 

Grant Memo: Nonprofit security, Redevelopment, Scholarship, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

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

 

Kenyatta votes ‘yes’ on historic $1.7 billion tax cut for Pennsylvanians

(Jun 25, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Affordability is one of the biggest problems facing Pennsylvania residents right now, I’m happy to vote for any legislation that lessens financial burden on people across the commonwealth. Read more

 

House Adopts Guzman Resolution Designating July 2026 as Culinary Arts Month in Pennsylvania

(Jun 25, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 29 — State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced H.R. 345 , designating July 2026 as “Culinary Arts Month” in Pennsylvania, a statewide initiative highlighting culinary education, professional training, and the Commonwealth’s food and hospitality industries. Adopted by the House of Representatives on June 10, the resolution recognizes the contributions of career and technical education programs and postsecondary institutions that prepare students for employment in food service, hospitality, and culinary innovation. It also highlights Pennsylvania’s restaurants, wineries, and food producers, which contribute to local economies and attract visitors from across the region. The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association has expressed support for the measure, citing the importance of strengthening Pennsylvania’s hospitality talent pipeline. “Pennsylvania’s culinary and hospitality industries play a vital role in our economy, our communities and the experiences that define our Commonwealth,” said Joe Massaro, president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association. “Culinary Arts Month is an opportunity to celebrate the talented chefs, culinarians, educators, and hospitality professionals who create memorable dining experiences every day while inspiring the next generation of industry leaders. Through programs like Pennsylvania ProStart , students Read more

 

Probst votes for bill to strengthen support for private and parochial school students

(Jun 25, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 25 – State Rep. Tarah Probst voted to advance legislation on Monday that would strengthen how Pennsylvania supports students while ensuring taxpayers can clearly see how their dollars are being used—including for students in Monroe and Pike counties who benefit from these programs. House Bill 2632 would maintain the full $680 million currently allocated to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The legislation would also expand eligibility for early childhood education programs serving children from birth to age 2, broaden access for some of Pennsylvania’s lowest-income students and strengthen reporting and oversight requirements so taxpayers can better understand how scholarship funds are distributed and who benefits from the program. “Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation circulating about this bill,” Probst said. “Contrary to recent text messages sent by a third party to residents throughout Monroe and Pike counties, this legislation would not cut a single dollar from these scholarship programs. The bill we voted on would maintain the full $680 million in educational tax credits for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Students currently receiving scholarships would continue to do so without interruption.” The legislation would provide additional oversight through the Auditor General’s Read more

 

Briggs announces Judiciary Committee advances six key bills

(Jun 25, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, JUNE 25 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chairman of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, announced today that the committee has approved several bills aimed at protecting children, strengthening public safety, improving fairness in the legal system and supporting the work of corrections and parole officials. “These bills tackle real issues affecting communities across Pennsylvania,” Briggs said. “They protect children, support victims of exploitation, improve transparency and fairness and help ensure that important public safety agencies can do their jobs effectively. I’m pleased the committee moved these measures forward so the full House can consider them.” The bills approved by the committee include: House Bill 1434 (Sponsored by Rep. Amen Brown) would increase penalties for retailers who illegally sell electronic cigarettes and vaping products to minors. Retailers would face fines of up to $5,000 for each violation, and businesses that repeatedly break the law would lose their license after a third offense. House Bill 2273 (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Jones) would require law enforcement agencies to provide clear written information when property is seized through civil asset forfeiture. The notice would explain a person's rights and provide information on how to seek the return of their property through the courts. Senate Bill 45 (Sponsored by Sens. Cris Dush and Maria Collett) Read more

 

Bill to protect benefits for foster youth in Pa. unanimously approved by House committee

(Jun 24, 2026) Rep. Rick Krajewski

HARRISBURG, June 24 – B ipartisan legislation sponsored by state Reps. Rick Krajewski and Sheryl Delozier that would end the practice of intercepting public benefits intended for foster youth was reported out of committee today with a unanimous vote and is ready for a vote by the full House . The bill (H.B. 151) would prevent PA agencies from intercepting the Social Security benefits intended foster youth receive, such as survivors benefits, and instead require those benefits to be conserved in a savings account for when a foster youth exits care. The federal Office of Administration for Children and Families in December demanded that states no longer intercept benefits, and 10 states have already worked to prohibit it. “These are funds that for many could mean the difference between homelessness and stable housing, between needing to work multiple jobs and having time to attend college, between lacking healthcare and receiving necessary treatment. These youth are not asking for handouts, they’re asking for what’s already theirs,” said Delozier, R-Cumberland, the co-prime sponsor of the bill. “It’s a bipartisan issue. Not one that’s defined by Republicans or Democrats, urban or rural. This is an issue that affects children in the foster care system no matter where they live.” “What makes up a fraction of our state’s spending could make a huge difference in the lives of foster youth, who often Read more

 

State House adopts Matzie resolution designating Sept. 21-27 as ‘Rail Safety Week’ in Pennsylvania

(Jun 24, 2026) Rep. Robert F. Matzie

HARRISBURG, June 24 – The Pennsylvania House today adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution designating the week of Sept. 21-27, 2026, as “Rail Safety Week” in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he introduced H.R. 537 to raise awareness about preventable rail casualties. “Although the numbers have improved in recent decades, far too many people still die needlessly in crossing collisions or by coming too close to tracks as pedestrians,” Matzie said. “Federal statistics show that a person or vehicle is struck by a train every three hours in the United States. A closer look at the numbers shows Pennsylvania ranks high on the list for both kinds of incidents. Last year, we ranked 11 th in the nation for crossing collisions, with 56 collisions, 3 deaths and 24 injuries, and we ranked 6 th for pedestrian incidents, with 34 deaths and 15 injuries. “We need to do more to educate the public about the reality of rail dangers, including the fact that it can take a freight train traveling 55 mph more than a mile – about 18 football fields – to stop, that freight cars and cargo overhang rails substantially, that engineers face massive blind spots, and other information people need to stay safe.” Matzie’s Rail Safety Week is scheduled to run concurrently with Operation Lifesaver’s nationwide awareness campaign called “See Read more

 

Pa. House passes Friel bill to create ‘pause button’ on data center rush

(Jun 24, 2026) Rep. Paul Friel

HARRISBURG, June 24 – Legislation to give Pennsylvania municipalities the time and authority to rein in data center projects across the state continues its way through the General Assembly, announced the measure’s sponsor, state Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester. The state House of Representatives today by an overwhelming bipartisan majority passed H.B. 2496 to empower local governments in Pennsylvania to place up to a six-month “pause” on the consideration of any data center application. Municipalities could adopt, amend or repeal sections of their related land-use ordinances during the pause. “This pause window allows local governments the time they need to thoroughly research, draft and pass comprehensive land-use ordinances pertaining to data centers,” Friel said. “The bill gives our local officials necessary breathing room to update these ordinances, evaluating demands like water and energy usage and other considerations related to protecting our communities from potential harms caused by data center development.” Critically, the pause dates back to the moment the public was notified of the meeting agenda, and any application filed during the pause is subject to the new rules. ?“Large-scale data centers cannot be allowed to bypass community scrutiny,” said state Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna. “With development surging across Pennsylvania, this bill ensures Read more

 

Bipartisan legislation to incentivize pharmaceutical & biomedical innovation passes PA House

(Jun 24, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The bipartisan H.B. 2162, co-prime sponsored by state Reps. Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware; Paul Friel, D-Chester; and Thomas Kutz, R-Cumberland, would allow makers of a drug or medical device to apply for a temporary product license from the commonwealth at the same time they begin its FDA approval process. Read more

 

Pennsylvania Common Cents Act passes House

(Jun 24, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“When the federal government makes a change, the states need to be ready to react in a way to provide clarity and simplicity to our constituents,” said Davidson. “This is a simple fix. For those Pennsylvanians who choose to pay with cash, this bill gives those individuals, as well as the business or government entity behind the cash register, a plain and predictable response to the penny shortage.” Read more

 

Shusterman’s childcare study resolution passes House

(Jun 24, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“For working families, childcare is too expensive and all too often parents struggle to find care,” Shusterman said. “The current situation for working parents, childcare facilities, and the professionals who take care of our children requires that we take action in the General Assembly. We owe it to the working parents, businesses and childcare providers of our Commonwealth to put in the effort and step up to create a viable path forward.” Read more

 

House passes Bizzarro bill to cut taxes for Pennsylvania brewers

(Jun 23, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Legislation to provide tax cuts to brewers and bolster Pennsylvania’s craft beer industry has passed the Pennsylvania House with overwhelming bipartisan support, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who sponsored the bill, announced Tuesday. Read more

 

Pielli’s bill to protect pollinators by promoting native species landscaping passes Pennsylvania House

(Jun 23, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Without insects and pollinators, our flowers and crops cannot survive,” said Pielli, D-Chester. “This threatens our agricultural industry, which is vital to our state’s economy. Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry generates more than $250 million in profits from crops that benefit from insect pollination, as well as more than $9 million from pollination required to produce seeds. Read more

 

Ciresi bill requiring transparency in data center development passes House
9 hours ago

O’Mara applauds passage of bill to provide greater access to mental health treatment
10 hours ago

Pa. House votes to classify veterinary sedative as a Schedule III drug
10 hours ago

Members of the legislative caucuses representing communities of color applaud Supreme Court decision in Trump v. Barbara
14 hours ago

Bill supporting EMS participation by minors passes Pa. House
1 day ago

Legislation to ban surveillance prices by ride-hailing companies passes House
1 day ago

Cryptocurrency corruption prevention bill passes the House
1 day ago

Grant Memo: Nonprofit security, Redevelopment, Scholarship, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District
1 day ago

Kenyatta votes ‘yes’ on historic $1.7 billion tax cut for Pennsylvanians
Jun 25, 2026

House Adopts Guzman Resolution Designating July 2026 as Culinary Arts Month in Pennsylvania
Jun 25, 2026

Probst votes for bill to strengthen support for private and parochial school students
Jun 25, 2026

Briggs announces Judiciary Committee advances six key bills
Jun 25, 2026

Bill to protect benefits for foster youth in Pa. unanimously approved by House committee
Jun 24, 2026

State House adopts Matzie resolution designating Sept. 21-27 as ‘Rail Safety Week’ in Pennsylvania
Jun 24, 2026

Pa. House passes Friel bill to create ‘pause button’ on data center rush
Jun 24, 2026

Bipartisan legislation to incentivize pharmaceutical & biomedical innovation passes PA House
Jun 24, 2026

Pennsylvania Common Cents Act passes House
Jun 24, 2026

Shusterman’s childcare study resolution passes House
Jun 24, 2026

House passes Bizzarro bill to cut taxes for Pennsylvania brewers
Jun 23, 2026

Pielli’s bill to protect pollinators by promoting native species landscaping passes Pennsylvania House
Jun 23, 2026