How our area legislators voted
A look at how our area legislators voted on recent legislation:
House Bill 749
The bill amends the public welfare laws of the state, specifically focusing on public assistance and aiming to provide for the distribution of SNAP benefits.
It includes provisions for uniformity in the administration of assistance and regulations related to child care co-payments. It also mandates reports to the General Assembly regarding eligible people for medical assistance and nonemergency medical transportation services, as well as the transition to chip-enabled access cards.
Vote: 46-3
Yes: Sens. David Argall, Rosemary Brown and Nick Miller
No: Sen. Jarrett Coleman
House Bill 1176
The bill amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) by allowing eligible heirs to use the notarized affidavit for filing claims for properties worth up to $20,000, making an important adjustment to reflect inflation and bringing it more in line with thresholds for small estates and simplified unclaimed property claims used in other states. Expanding eligibility for this simpler process will allow more Pennsylvanians to use it and receive money that’s rightfully theirs with less cost, less paperwork, and less delay.
Vote: 49-0
Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown, Jarrett Coleman and Nick Miller
House Bill 1359
The bill amends the Self-Service Storage Facility Act to allow the electronic delivery of a rental agreement.
This would make rental agreements enforceable against the occupant within 30 days of the document’s delivery — the same as if it had been signed.
Occupants failing to sign or pay their rental agreements could have their unit access restricted or denied, even before their goods are removed from the unit and may have their personal property disposed of.
Vote: 46-3
Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown and Nick Miller
No: Jarrett Coleman
Senate Bill 1020
The bill ensures all service-connected disabled veterans receive equal treatment under the hunting license program, regardless of whether their disabilities were incurred during armed conflict or other military service.
It reverses the distinction that inadvertently excluded veterans whose disabilities are equally service connected but occurred during the following: training exercises, noncombat military operations, peacetime service activities and other hazardous duty not classified as “armed conflict.”
Vote: 49-0
Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown, Jarrett Coleman and Nick Miller
House Bill 1332
The bill, known as the “Capital Budget Act of 2025-2026,” establishes the state’s capital budget for the fiscal year by authorizing debt for specific projects. Key provisions include authorization of $1.57 billion in debt for projects like public improvements, transportation assistance and redevelopment assistance, and increasing the overall debt limit for redevelopment assistance projects to $3.35 billion.
Vote: 43-3
Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown, Jarrett Coleman and Nick Miller
House Bill 1421
The bill appropriates funding for state-aided universities for the 2025-26 fiscal year, and establishes requirements for recordkeeping, financial statements and payments.
It also includes provisions for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and imposes duties on the Auditor General.
Vote: 39-7
Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown and Nick Miller
No: Jarrett Coleman
Senate Bill 1050
The bill requires mandated reporters to notify authorities of all child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they become aware of, including content generated using artificial intelligence (AI). This measure aims to update existing child protection laws to address the threats posed by rapidly evolving technology.
Vote: 46-0
Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown, Jarrett Coleman and Nick Miller
Senate Bill 997
The bill expands the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee by adding two members: one from the Pennsylvania Online Messengers Association and one from the highly automated vehicle trucking industry.
The bill aims to give these specific industry voices a place on the advisory committee, which is within the Department of Transportation.
Vote: 46-0
Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown, Jarrett Coleman and Nick Miller
House Bill 923
The bill primarily amends the State Lottery Law to update the eligibility for the pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly program, specifically regarding the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. The bill modifies how this adjustment impacts the determination of eligibility for the PACENET program.
Vote: 46-0
Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown, Jarrett Coleman and Nick Miller
House Bill 439
The bill, known as the Crown Act, amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on hair type, texture or hairstyle associated with race. It seeks to protect individuals from discrimination in employment and housing by adding hairstyles to the definition of race and religious creed. The bill prohibits discrimination while allowing employers to maintain health and safety rules, provided they are for nondiscriminatory reasons and are applied equally.
Vote: 44-3
Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown and Nick Miller
No: Jarrett Coleman