Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB810

Introduced
3/5/25  

Caption

Further providing for searchable budget database and for administration.

Impact

The bill is expected to significantly impact state laws by revising existing regulations around the disclosure of financial settlements related to claims against Commonwealth agencies. By mandating timely updates to the online database, the bill promotes a culture of accountability where taxpayers can access information about public spending. Furthermore, the changes may help inform legislative discussions and decisions related to state expenditures, fostering connections between budget decisions and their consequences in public administration.

Summary

House Bill 810 aims to enhance transparency in government operations by amending the Pennsylvania Web Accountability and Transparency (PennWATCH) Act. This legislation mandates that detailed information about settlements paid out by Commonwealth agencies be included on a searchable online database. Key details required for reporting include the agency involved, date of claim, legal basis for the settlement, payment date, and settlement amount. The initiative seeks to create a consolidated source of information that benefits taxpayers by making governmental expenditures more visible and understandable.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment toward HB 810 appears to be positive among proponents of transparency and accountability in government. Supporters, including some lawmakers and advocacy groups, view the bill as a valuable step toward making state expenditures more open to public scrutiny. However, the bill may also face criticism from those concerned about potential privacy issues for employees and the implications of increased public access to such data, indicating a need for careful consideration of the parameters of disclosure.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding HB 810 is the balance between public access to information and the privacy rights of individuals related to the settlements. Concerns may arise regarding how comprehensive the disclosed information should be, particularly for sensitive cases. Furthermore, the implementation of stricter reporting timelines could place additional administrative burdens on Commonwealth agencies, which may be a point of debate regarding resources and operational capacity.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1901

Further providing for searchable budget database and for administration.

PA HB1261

In administration and miscellaneous provisions, further providing for administrative duties of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board; and, in administration, funds, accounts and general provisions, further providing for administrative duties of the State Employees' Retirement Board.

PA HB401

In 2022-2023 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Human Services.

PA SB225

In general budget implementation, further providing for Federal and Commonwealth use of forest land.

PA HB1714

Further providing for administration and for penalties.

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.

PA HB1470

In limitation of time, further providing for six months limitation; in matters affecting government units, further providing for exceptions to sovereign immunity, for limitations on damages and for exceptions to governmental immunity and providing for claims for compensation for wrongful conviction; in general administration, providing for services after wrongful conviction; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for powers and duties of department.

PA SB657

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in requirements and prohibitions, providing for Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association; in access, further providing for open-records officer, for appeals officer, for regulations and policies, for requests and for retention of records; in procedure, further providing for requests, for written requests, for electronic access, for creation of record, for production of certain records and for exceptions for public records; in agency response, further providing for general rule and for extension of time; in appeal of agency determination, further providing for filing of appeal and for appeals officers; in judicial review, further providing for civil penalty and for Office of Open Records; and, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for relation to other laws.

PA SB791

In limitation of time, further providing for six months limitation; in matters affecting government units, further providing for exceptions to sovereign immunity, for limitations on damages and for exceptions to governmental immunity and providing for claims for compensation for wrongful conviction; in general administration, providing for services after wrongful conviction; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for powers and duties of department.

PA HB1556

In State-related institutions, further providing for reporting, for contents of report and for copies and posting and providing for contracts.

Similar Bills

PA SB1051

In corporate net income tax, further providing for definitions; in procedure and administration, further providing for petition for reassessment and for review by board and providing for settlement conference process, for closing agreements and for report to General Assembly; and, in general provisions, further providing for timely filing.

PA HB1994

In corporate net income tax, further providing for definitions; in procedure and administration, further providing for petition for reassessment and for review by board and providing for settlement conference process, for closing agreements and for report to General Assembly; and, in general provisions, further providing for timely filing.

CA AB1405

Debt settlement practices.

CA AB2810

Opioid Settlements Fund.

CA SB1105

Civil actions: settlement.

MI SB0592

Civil procedure: civil actions; civil actions against certain opioid litigation settlement defendants; prohibit. Amends secs. 2 & 3 of 2022 PA 85 (MCL 691.1672 & 691.1673).

CA AB2366

Sales and use tax: administration: settlements.

CA AB1166

Fair Debt Settlement Practices Act.