Three Scheduled Session Days Remaining in the Legislative Session

Only three scheduled session days remain in the legislative session. While what remains to be completed depends on who you may be talking to, there are also starting to be rumblings about whether the legislature could return later in the yeara to put outstanding issues to bed. Stay tuned. 

Energy Affordability Package Urged Ahead of Session End

With electric costs and household shutoffs reaching historic levels across Pennsylvania, there has been even more attention on bills aimed at addressing Energy Affordability. As part of this push, House Bill 2380 passed the House with a 116–86 vote.

Republican opponents cited concerns over mandates, rising consumer costs, and battery storage regulations during debate. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

General Assembly Passes First-in-State AI Advertising Transparency Bill

Legislation to establish Pennsylvania’s first advertising disclosure standards for AI-generated or modified content in consumer marketing received final approval from the General Assembly and now awaits Gov. Josh Shapiro’s signature.

Senate Bill 806 requires advertisers to clearly and conspicuously disclose AI-generated or modified text, images, audio, or video in the same medium to prevent misleading consumers.

The legislation places Pennsylvania among a small group of states taking early action to establish transparency requirements as artificial intelligence becomes more common in consumer advertising.

Drone Research Legislation Clears Legislature for Governor’s Signature

Senate Bill 468 is set for enactment to position Pennsylvania as a hub for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) advancement.

The bill authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to partner with other states on drone research and utilization, with required operations in Cambria and Somerset counties.

Backed by over 14 leading aviation and tech organizations, the measure aims to drive regional economic growth and job creation.

Statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Survey Highlights Gaps, Priorities

Sen. Cris Dush and Greenlight Operation CEO Jordan Pine released findings from the first-ever statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Survey, conducted with Messiah University across 10 regional forums.

While 97.3% of stakeholders supported coordinated regional services, only 25% of law enforcement/first responders felt equipped to identify human trafficking, and just 3.2% agreed sufficient survivor aftercare services existed.

Recommended policy steps include securing sustainable funding, expanding professional education, and bolstering regional referral networks.

NOTE: If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Legislation Introduced to Close Voluntary Intoxication Loophole

As details continue to emerge about a former Cornell University student who alleges seven fraternity members drugged and raped her in October 2024, there has been a great deal of conversation about how allegations like these are handled by universities, support for the student who filed the lawsuit, and even a closer look at the criminal laws that impact the filing of charges in cases like these - including the "voluntary intoxication loophole."

State Rep. Lisa Borowski has announced upcoming legislation to close Pennsylvania’s "voluntary intoxication loophole" in sexual assault cases. The bill would recognize incapacitation caused by drugs or alcohol as a valid basis for establishing a lack of consent, regardless of whether the intoxication was voluntary. The legislation reinforces that consent must be knowing and voluntary without altering the standard legal burden of proof.

AG, State Police Remind of Skill Games Compliance Deadline

Attorney General Dave Sunday and the Pennsylvania State Police are reminding businesses to remove illegal skill game machines prior to the October 13th enforcement deadline.

After October 13, non-compliant locations face criminal prosecution and machine seizure, as state law strictly limits gaming machines to licensed casinos and truck stops. Authorities emphasized that merely powering off the machines does not comply with the law.

Earlier this week, the State Police also launched a new informational webpage on pa.gov/psp/skillgames to provide businesses and establishments with additional resources and contact information regarding the skill games decision and compliance requirements.

CP Industries Expands McKeesport Operations with $21.7M Investment

CP Industries, a manufacturing staple in Pennsylvania since 1897, announced a $21.7 million expansion at its site in Allegheny County, supported by $3.9 million from the Commonwealth. The project includes a new 25,000-square-foot facility to triple composite cylinder production for alternative-fueled vehicles and upgrade steel cylinder operations to increase capacity by 50 percent, creating 78 new local jobs.

Read the full announcement from the Department of Community & Economic Development here.

$448M in Broadband Expansion Grants Across 50 Counties Announced

Over $448 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants were announced recently with funding provided across 50 counties.

The grants will connect 71,000 unserved homes and businesses to high-speed internet, aiming for universal connectivity statewide by 2030. Unconnected households across PA have already dropped by nearly 60 percent since 2022.

The state has also created a new website allowing Pennsylvanians who do not yet have access to high-speed internet to track estimates of when they’ll receive a connection here. That website is available at pa.gov/ConnectPA.

Key Deadlines Approaching for November 3 Election

Pennsylvanians are reminded that the voter registration deadline for the November 3 election is October 19 (11:59 PM online or close of business for mail/in-person).

Mail ballot applications must be received by 5:00 PM on October 27, and completed mail ballots must reach county election offices by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

Positions on the ballot include Governor/Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Congress, and state legislative seats. Register, update details, or locate your polling place at vote.pa.gov or view the official Department of State update here.

What's Next

The House returns to session on Monday, October 19 at 12 Noon.

The Senate returns to session on Monday, October 19 at 1 PM.

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