Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB177

Introduced
3/10/25  

Caption

Providing for the creation of keystone opportunity dairy zones to facilitate the economic development of Pennsylvania's dairy industry; authorizing expenditures; providing for tax exemptions, tax deductions, tax abatements and tax credits; creating additional obligations of the Commonwealth and local governmental units; prescribing powers and duties of certain State and local departments, agencies and officials; and imposing penalties.

Impact

If enacted, HB 177 will create defined geographic areas where businesses involved in dairy processing can operate under favorable tax conditions. Businesses that qualify must engage in the processing of Pennsylvania milk and adhere to specific requirements, such as creating jobs and making significant investments. This approach is expected to lead to increased dairy processing capacity, enhancing market competition and potentially boosting job creation within the local economies of the defined zones. The local and state governments will also have responsibilities in facilitating these zones' emergence and success.

Summary

House Bill 177, known as the Keystone Opportunity Dairy Zone Act, aims to establish designated areas that facilitate the growth and economic development of Pennsylvania's dairy industry. The bill provides mechanisms for creating Keystone Opportunity Dairy Zones which would benefit from various tax exemptions and credits aimed specifically at bolstering the dairy sector. The proposed legislation addresses the urgent need for economic support within the industry, recognizing the crucial role dairy farmers play in Pennsylvania's agricultural heritage and economy.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 177 appears generally supportive among stakeholders focused on the agricultural sector, particularly those advocating for the dairy industry. Proponents argue that the bill will revitalize local economies, enhance job prospects, and preserve the agricultural landscape of Pennsylvania. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the potential implications for local governance and control, as municipalities will need to accept the terms of the tax exemptions, which could limit local fiscal authority. This has created a nuanced debate between state-level economic initiatives and local autonomy.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential financial implications for local governments that might rely on tax revenues from properties within established Keystone Opportunity Dairy Zones. While proponents emphasize the economic opportunity presented by bolstering dairy operations, critics worry that the long-term benefits may not outweigh the immediate fiscal losses from tax exemptions. The debate is highlighted by differing views on the role of state versus local control in economic development, with some calling for more stringent oversight to ensure that community needs are met.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB995

Providing for the creation of keystone opportunity dairy zones to facilitate the economic development of Pennsylvania's dairy industry; authorizing expenditures; providing tax exemptions, tax deductions, tax abatements and tax credits; creating additional obligations of the Commonwealth and local governmental units; prescribing powers and duties of certain State and local departments, agencies and officials; and imposing penalties.

PA SB781

Providing for the creation of keystone opportunity dairy zones to facilitate the economic development of Pennsylvania's dairy industry; authorizing expenditures; providing tax exemptions, tax deductions, tax abatements and tax credits; creating additional obligations of the Commonwealth and local governmental units; prescribing powers and duties of certain State and local departments, agencies and officials; and imposing penalties.

PA HB592

Providing for food desert opportunity zones and for food desert opportunity zone tax credits; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Revenue.

PA HB882

Providing for school-to-work programs; establishing the CareerBound program; providing for a tax credit; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Labor and Industry.

PA HB2541

Authorizing local taxing authorities to provide for tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of churches, hospitals and schools; establishing the Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

PA HB1799

Authorizing local taxing authorities to provide for tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of shopping malls; establishing the Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

PA HB2420

Establishing the Keystone Fresh Program; providing for the Fresh Schools Grant Program, for the Keystone Producer Grant Program, for the Keystone Assistance Grant Program and for the administration of the Keystone Fresh Program by the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture; and establishing the Keystone Fresh Fund.

PA SB798

Providing for solar energy facilities on certain land; imposing powers and duties on the Department of Agriculture; and providing for a tax credit.

PA SB961

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in keystone opportunity zones, further providing for qualified businesses.

PA HB1241

Providing for the licensure of bodywork facilities; imposing powers and duties on the Department of State; and prescribing penalties.

Similar Bills

PA HB995

Providing for the creation of keystone opportunity dairy zones to facilitate the economic development of Pennsylvania's dairy industry; authorizing expenditures; providing tax exemptions, tax deductions, tax abatements and tax credits; creating additional obligations of the Commonwealth and local governmental units; prescribing powers and duties of certain State and local departments, agencies and officials; and imposing penalties.

PA HB500

In Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credits, repealing provisions relating to local resource manufacturing, providing for Reliable Energy Investment Tax Credit, repealing provisions relating to Pennsylvania milk processing and providing for Pennsylvania milk processing; in regional clean hydrogen hubs, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for application and approval of tax credit, for use of tax credits and for applicability; in semiconductor manufacturing and biomedical manufacturing and research, further providing for definitions and for application and approval of tax credit and providing for geothermal energy and for sustainable aviation fuel; and, in application of Prevailing Wage Act, further providing for definitions.

PA SB384

Providing for the creation of keystone opportunity dairy zones to facilitate the economic development of Pennsylvania's dairy industry; authorizing expenditures; providing tax exemptions, tax deductions, tax abatements and tax credits; creating additional obligations of the Commonwealth and local governmental units; prescribing powers and duties of certain State and local departments, agencies and officials; and imposing penalties.

PA SB781

Providing for the creation of keystone opportunity dairy zones to facilitate the economic development of Pennsylvania's dairy industry; authorizing expenditures; providing tax exemptions, tax deductions, tax abatements and tax credits; creating additional obligations of the Commonwealth and local governmental units; prescribing powers and duties of certain State and local departments, agencies and officials; and imposing penalties.

PA HB1649

Eliminating school district property taxes; imposing county and school district taxes; establishing the School District Emergency Fund and the School District Property Tax Elimination Fund; consolidating Articles II and III of the Tax Reform Code of 1971; in preliminary provisions relating to sales and use tax, providing for definitions; in taxation generally relating to sales and use tax, providing for exclusions and for transfer to county sales and use tax accounts; in preliminary provisions relating to personal income tax, providing for definitions; and making repeals.

PA HB1219

In personal income tax, further providing for classes of income and for special tax provisions for poverty and providing for alternative special tax provisions for poverty; in corporate net income tax, further providing for definitions, for imposition of tax, for reports and payment of tax, for consolidated reports and for manufacturing innovation and reinvestment deduction; in realty transfer tax, further providing for transfer of tax; in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; in entertainment production tax credit, further providing for definitions, for credit for qualified film production expenses, for carryover, carryback and assignment of credit and for limitations; in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credits, providing for biotechnology; in neighborhood assistance tax credit, further providing for tax credit and for grant of tax credit; providing for expanded neighborhood improvement zones; in Pennsylvania Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit Program, further providing for credit for child and dependent care employment-related expenses; providing for Public Transportation Trust Fund; and, in general provisions, further providing for underpayment of estimated tax, for method of filing and for allocation of tax credits.

PA SB1056

In Treasury Department, further providing for investment of moneys; establishing the Keystone Saves Program, the Keystone Saves Program Fund, the Keystone Saves Administrative Fund and the Keystone Saves Program Advisory Board; providing for powers and duties of the Treasury Department, for investment and fiduciary responsibilities and for program implementation; and providing for the electric vehicle road user charge effective date.

PA HB1300

In emergency COVID-19 response, providing for