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Key Updates: PA House Session and Supreme Court Election

The DT Firm
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Overview of the Upcoming PA House Session

The Week Ahead

For the Week of September 29, 2025

The House is scheduled to be in session on the folowing days:

  • Monday, September 29 – 12:00 PM

  • Tuesday, September 30 – 11:00 AM

  • Wednesday, October 1 – 11:00 AM

  • Thursday, October 2 – Non-Session

  • Friday, October 3 – Non-Session

Upcoming Fundraisers & Events

Use the following link to access the Upcoming Fundraisers & Events Calendar. Save events directly to your calendar, submit events you are your organization have coming up, and/or subscribe to the calendar to receive updates. 

Click Here

 

Upcoming House Session  – Week of September 29, 2025

Monday, September 29

Session Start: 12:00 PM
Caucus will be called from the floor.

Bills on 2nd Consideration:

  • HB 706 (Zimmerman, D) – Title 18 / Concealed firearms license fee waiver

  • HB 997 (Solomon, J) – Breach of Personal Information Notification Act (updates definitions, notification procedures, civil relief provisions for data breaches)

  • HB 1099 (Cephas, M) – Title 18 / Establishes offense for undetectable firearms; bans ghost guns

  • HB 1593 (Warren, P) – Title 18 / Repeals provisions on firearm sale or transfer

  • HB 1615 (Kauffman, R) – Title 75 / Establishes DUI Treatment Program; modifies driver licensing penalties and grading

  • HB 1651 (Freeman, R) – Second Class Township Code / Election of officers and vacancies

  • HB 1866 (Steele, M) – Title 18 / Adds “machinegun conversion device” to list of prohibited offensive weapons

Bills on 3rd Consideration:

  • HB 97 (Kulik, A) – Title 23 / Pet custody in divorce cases

  • HB 589 (Kinkead, E) – Landslide and Sinkhole Insurance Program and Fund

  • HB 1108 (Nelson, E) – Human Services Code / Amends copayments for subsidized child care; repeals certain provisions

  • HB 1212 (Abney, A) – Fatherhood Engagement in Maternal Health / “PA Dads Matter Act”

  • HB 1545 (Guzman, M) – Title 75 / Vehicle registration suspended after sixth unpaid parking violation (1st-class cities)

  • HB 1667 (Takac, P) – Tax Reform Code / Extends and updates the Rural Jobs and Investment Tax Credit Program

Tuesday, September 30

Session Start: 11:00 AM
Caucus will be called from the floor.

Bills on 2nd Consideration:

Bills on 3rd Consideration:
(Same bills as Monday — expected to return to floor)

  • HB 78, HB 706, HB 997, HB 1099, HB 1593, HB 1615, HB 1651, HB 1866

Wednesday, October 1

Session Start: 11:00 AM
Caucus will be called from the floor.
Bills to be determined.

Significant DNC Investment in Supreme Court Retention Elections

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has announced a substantial six-figure investment to support the Pennsylvania Democratic Party in the upcoming Supreme Court retention elections. This strategic move underscores the importance of these elections in shaping the judicial landscape of Pennsylvania.

The DNC's investment aims to bolster the retention efforts for Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht. These justices are perceived as pivotal in maintaining a balance in the state's highest court, especially on issues like voting rights, redistricting, and abortion protections.

DNC Chair Ken Martin emphasized the significance of these retention elections, stating, "Republican billionaires across the country are trying to buy our courts, including in Pennsylvania. The DNC won’t stand idly by – that’s why we’re investing six-figures ahead of these critical retention races."

Implications of the Supreme Court Retention Elections

The retention elections for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices carry substantial implications. The court, currently with a Democratic majority, plays a crucial role in decisions that affect the state's legal and political landscape. Issues such as gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and reproductive rights are likely to be influenced by the composition of the court.

Retention elections are unique in that they are non-partisan, with voters simply asked to vote "yes" or "no" on whether a judge should serve another term. Historically, most judges are retained, but the political climate and high stakes involved in these elections could lead to increased voter engagement and potentially different outcomes.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association has recommended the retention of all three Democratic justices, citing their fairness and commitment to justice. However, opposition from the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) has led to significant spending on digital ads, urging voters to reject the retention of these justices.

Read More --> Politics PA

2025-26-State-Budget-BannerCurrent State of PA Budget Negotiations

As of today, Pennsylvania's budget negotiations remain unresolved. The legislature and the administration have yet to reach an agreement on several key code bills, including the Fiscal Code, Human Services Code, School Code, and Tax Code. These unresolved issues are at the heart of the ongoing budget impasse, which has significant implications for the state's operations and services.

Negotiations are currently focused on critical issues such as skill games regulation, public transit funding, and education-related policies. Until progress is made on these fronts, the overall budget remains in limbo. The House is scheduled to return to session next week, and stakeholders are hopeful that an agreement will be reached soon.

Read More --> TribLive

New Loan Programs for Counties and Pre-K

In response to the budget delay, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced a $500 million loan program to assist county governments and pre-K programs facing financial challenges. This initiative aims to provide short-term loans to help these entities until the state budget is finalized.

The loan program, funded by the Treasury's $21 billion Liquid Asset Pool, offers loans with a 4.5% annual interest rate. Recipients are required to repay the loans in full within 15 days of the state budget's enactment. Treasurer Garrity emphasized the importance of supporting the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians during this challenging time.

County officials have welcomed the loan program, viewing it as a lifeline to avoid drastic measures such as tax increases or staff layoffs. The program also underscores the broader fiscal challenges faced by local governments and service providers in the absence of state funding.

Read More --> WITF

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