House Appropriations Committee reviews multiple bills including child custody and healthcare

The Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee convened on May 6, 2025, to discuss a series of significant legislative bills, with a focus on fiscal impacts and bipartisan support.

Chairman Harris opened the meeting, highlighting a packed agenda that included House Bill 81, which prohibits additional fees for paper billing statements, and House Bill 265, allowing nonprofessional educational employees to receive unemployment benefits between academic terms. Notably, House Bill 355 aims to enhance sentencing for mandated reporters involved in the corruption of minors, while House Bill 789 expands the CPACE program to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The committee swiftly moved through the agenda, with several bills, including 355, 378, 789, 993, 1057, and 1117, receiving unanimous support from Republican members, indicating no fiscal impact concerns. These bills were reported to the floor without opposition.

However, the mood shifted when discussing House Bills 265, 820, and 926. Democratic members expressed concerns regarding potential fiscal impacts on state funds, leading to a split vote. While Democrats supported these bills, Republicans opposed them, resulting in a mixed outcome as the bills were still reported back to the House.

The meeting underscored the committee's commitment to advancing legislation while navigating fiscal responsibilities, setting the stage for further discussions in the House.