Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB51

Introduced
1/14/25  

Caption

Requiring school districts to provide annual notice relating to certain pension and other postemployment benefit obligations; and providing for property disclosure statement and for duty of State Real Estate Commission.

Impact

The implementation of HB51 is expected to significantly impact how school districts manage and report their pension and postemployment benefit obligations. By enforcing annual calculations and public disclosures, the bill aims to inform property owners about the fiscal health of their local schools and the potential implications for property taxes. The legislation underscores the need for accountability and transparency, ensuring that stakeholders in the educational system are aware of the liabilities that could affect future tax rates. This could also spur discussions among local governments regarding budget management and prioritization of public funds.

Summary

House Bill 51, known as the Property Tax Pension Obligation Disclosure Act, mandates that school districts in Pennsylvania provide annual disclosures regarding their unfunded pension and other postemployment benefit obligations. This legislation requires school districts to calculate their obligations per $100,000 of assessed residential property by September 30 each year. The results of this calculation must be published on the district’s website, included in their financial disclosures, and made a part of the tax notice that is distributed to residents, thus creating greater transparency in the financial responsibilities of school districts.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding House Bill 51 appears to be generally supportive among legislators and stakeholders who prioritize transparency in government dealings. Advocates argue that the bill promotes a responsible and accountable approach to public finance, beneficial for both taxpayers and educational institutions. However, there may be concerns from some districts about the increased administrative burden of meeting these requirements and the potential for public backlash if liabilities are significantly high.

Contention

While House Bill 51 is largely seen as a move towards increased transparency, it may face some contention regarding the implications of its reporting requirements. Some school districts may argue that the mandated disclosures could unfairly highlight financial difficulties, potentially affecting their public image and the community’s trust in school governance. Moreover, the requirement for property sellers to disclose these obligations on real estate transactions may complicate property sales and influence property values, leading to a broader debate on the balance between transparency and economic impact.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB215

Requiring school districts to provide annual notice relating to certain pension and other postemployment benefit obligations; and providing for property disclosure statement and for duty of State Real Estate Commission.

PA SB369

Providing for property owner's bill of rights statement.

PA HB2370

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for adequacy and tax equity supplements and for accountability to Commonwealth taxpayers and further providing for Pennsylvania accountability grants.

PA HB405

In consolidated county assessment, further providing for assessment of lands divided by boundary lines; and, in seller disclosures, further providing for disclosure form.

PA HB1422

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PA HB136

Repealing provisions relating to inheritance tax; in procedure and administration, further providing for petition for reassessment; and, in governmental obligations, further providing for taxability of government obligations.

PA HB1379

In membership, contributions and benefits, providing for supplemental annuity commencing 2025; in municipal pensions, providing for 2025 special ad hoc municipal police and firefighter postretirement adjustment; and, in benefits, providing for supplemental annuity commencing 2025.

PA HB1188

In judicial boards and commissions, further providing for powers and duties of Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing; and providing for demographic impact statements in consideration of legislation relating to crimes, offenses and sentencing.

PA HB204

Establishing the Keystone Solvency Operating Study Commission and providing for its powers and duties and for a report.

PA SB843

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission, for Basic Education Funding Commission and for Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness and providing for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; providing for Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students, providing for enrollment of students and further providing for academic programs; in terms and courses of study, further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly reporting; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status; and abrogating regulations.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.