Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB895

Introduced
4/12/23  

Caption

In taxation by school districts, repealing provisions relating to local tax study commission and to adoption of further referendum.

Impact

The repeal of these provisions could streamline the tax collection process for school districts and grant more autonomy to school boards in their decision-making regarding local taxes. This change may lead to quicker implementation of tax measures, such as earned income and personal income taxes, thereby potentially increasing revenue for school districts. However, it also raises concerns about a lack of community engagement and oversight in local tax matters, which were previously addressed through the local tax study commissions and referendums.

Summary

House Bill 895 aims to amend existing legislation regarding taxation by school districts in Pennsylvania, specifically by repealing provisions related to the establishment of a local tax study commission and the process of adopting a further referendum for tax-related decisions. The bill seeks to simplify the taxation process for school districts by eliminating the requirement for a local tax study commission prior to making tax-related decisions, making it easier for boards of school directors to impose and collect various taxes without extensive preliminary studies and public referendums.

Sentiment

Sentiment regarding HB 895 appears to be mixed. Supporters believe that the bill will expedite essential revenue decisions during times when funding for education is critically needed. They argue that local boards should have the authority to manage their taxation without bureaucratic delays. Conversely, critics feel that the repeal of checks like the local tax study commission diminishes community input and accountability. This concern highlights a broader debate about the balance of power between local governance and state mandates in taxation matters.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential for overreach by school boards in taxing decisions without adequate public consultation. Opponents argue that enthusiasts of local governance might see this bill as undermining the democratic process of tax approval through referendums. The conversation around HB 895 underscores a significant friction between the need for agile fiscal policy in education funding versus the principle of local control and public participation in tax matters.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1220

In taxation by school districts, repealing provisions relating to local tax study commission and to adoption of further referendum.

PA HB598

In taxation by school districts, further providing for public referendum requirements for increasing certain taxes.

PA HB817

In taxation by school districts, further providing for public referendum requirements for increasing certain taxes.

PA HB325

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in taxation by school districts, further providing for school district tax notices.

PA HB178

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in taxation by school districts, further providing for school district tax notices.

PA SB514

Modifies provisions relating to taxation

PA SB649

Modifies provisions relating to taxation

PA SB743

Modifies provisions relating to taxation

PA SB908

Modifies provisions relating to taxation

PA SB700

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in intermediate units, further providing for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, further providing for qualifications; in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates, for career and technical instruction and for baccalaureate certification basic skills assessment; in Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program, further providing for definitions, for program establishment and duties of agency, for eligibility and for report; in school safety and security, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program and for school safety and security training and providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2024-2025 school year; in school security, further providing for duties of commission, providing for school security personnel and establishing School Security Personnel Fund; in school security, further providing for duties of commission and providing for school security personnel and for School Security Personnel Fund; in school health services, further providing for vision screening and examinations; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for establishment and payment of tuition; in administrative partnerships between school entities, further providing for legislative intent and for definitions, providing for instructional programming partnerships authorized, for school district feasibility study and for construction and further providing for establishment, for application, for grant awards, for technical assistance, for reports by school entities and for reports by department; in talent recruitment, further providing for Talent Recruitment Account; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification and providing for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; in disability inclusive curriculum, further providing for department responsibilities; in Schools-to-Work-Program, repealing provisions relating to expiration; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions, for qualification and application by organizations, for tax credits and for limitations, repealing provisions relating to opportunity scholarships and providing for economically disadvantaged school scholarships; in course materials at institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to College Textbook Policies Advisory Committee; in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for memorandum of understanding; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to Public Higher Education Funding Commission; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2024-2025; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums and for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, further providing for State reimbursement for health services, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Commonwealth reimbursements for charter schools and cyber charter schools, repealing provisions relating to administrative and instructional consolidation incentives and further providing for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in State Board of Education, further providing for powers and duties of the board; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; in School Environmental Repairs Program, further providing for School Environmental Repairs Program Restricted Account and for School Environmental Repairs Program; and making editorial changes.

Similar Bills

MI HB6166

Taxation: convention tourism assessments; assessment fee; increase. Amends sec. 3 of 1980 PA 383 (MCL 141.883).

MI HB5446

Taxation: convention tourism assessments; convention and tourism promotion act; clarify application to short-term rentals and make other modifications. Amends title & secs. 2, 3, 4 & 8 of 2007 PA 25 (MCL 141.1322 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5438'24

MI HB5439

Taxation: convention tourism assessments; regional convention and tourism promotion act; clarify application to short-term rentals and make other modifications. Amends title & secs. 2, 3, 4 & 7 of 2010 PA 254 (MCL 141.1432 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5438'24

MI HB5445

Taxation: convention tourism assessments; convention and tourism marketing act; clarify application to short-term rentals and make other modifications. Amends title & secs. 2, 3, 4 & 8 of 1980 PA 383 (MCL 141.882 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5438'24

PA HB1220

In taxation by school districts, repealing provisions relating to local tax study commission and to adoption of further referendum.

MI HB5440

Taxation: convention tourism assessments; regional tourism marketing act; clarify application to short-term rentals and make other modifications. Amends title & secs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 & 9 of 1989 PA 244 (MCL 141.892 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5438'24

MI HB5441

Taxation: convention tourism assessments; community convention or tourism marketing act; clarify application to short-term rentals and make other modifications. Amends title & secs. 2, 3, 3a, 4 & 8 of 1980 PA 395 (MCL 141.872 et seq.) & repeals sec. 9 of 1980 PA 395 (MCL 141.879). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5438'24

CT HB06292

An Act Concerning The Payment Of Personal Property Taxes By Certain Telecommunications Companies.