Legislative Action

Summary of Legislative Activity | August 2026

Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers

Summary of Legislation

September 2026

 

Electrical Contractors and Electricians Licensing Bill Amended in House

Pennsylvania has had no true construction contractor licensing, but that will change if legislation now under consideration is enacted.  Senate Bill 1260 creates a statewide licensing system for electrical contractors and electricians. It establishes the State Board of Electrical Licensure, defines what constitutes electrical services, sets qualifications, testing requirements, continuing education, insurance requirements, and creates penalties for unlicensed electrical work.  The bill passed the Senate with bi-partisan support in June.  On October 7th it received second consideration in the State House but was amended and must return to the Senate for a concurrence vote if it passes the House the week of October 19^th as expected.  The legislation has several different effective dates, with the actual license issuing taking effect 2 years after enactment.

 

State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists September 23 Meeting Notes

 

The State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists met briefly on September 23 via hybrid meeting format, in Harrisburg. Following are the highlights.

∙ Board President Robert Kudlawiec, PE, presided, and welcomed the members.

∙ Prosecution Liaison Angela Solomon had no cases to present.

Board Counsel Ashley Goshert, Esq. presented one case, for Joshua Delaney. A final Adjudication & Order was approved.

∙ Regulatory Counsel Marc Farrell had no formal report. HE indicated work continues on Ethics CE regulation.

∙ Board member reports: Kudlawiec reported on the NCEES meeting in August. He, along with Windsor Tracy and Lisa Peterson attended. Peterson reported on a variety of agenda items: Officer elections; stolen/spoofed seals. NCEES needs to find a new method for authentication. Will consult with MDs and Pharmacy on verification technology; Exam fees are going up; law enforcement: Board discipline may affect violator’s life beyond their license – Boards should consider this impact in weighing decisions.

∙ Board Administrator Sharona Evans reported on the upcoming ASBOG conference in Hershey, and noted the receipt of a request for a speaker at the NCEES Engineering Education Award Celebration at St. Francis University on October 30. Kudlawiec agreed to present.

∙ Evans noted that the NCEES Engineering Experience Rubric will be implemented when the new licensing system comes on line.

∙ The Board ratified staff approval of one application.

 

The next meeting is December 2, 2026, with both in-person and virtual options for attendees, in the Eaton Room, 2525 N 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110​. Public Session begins at 10:30 AM

 

The Governor has appointed Justin Fishgrund, PE, of Swickley, to the Registration Board, replacing Jim Szalankiewicz. His appointment awaits Senate confirmation, hopefully this fall.

 

This Month in the PA Bulletin:

 

L&I: ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY BOARD; 2024 INTERNATIONAL CODES COUNCIL ACCESSIBILITY CODE SECTIONS; PUBLIC COMMENT

The Department of Labor and Industry is seeking public comment on 024 International Codes Council updated accessibility code sections. The public comment period will open on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, and will last 120 days, closing on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2027. The public comment submission form will be located on the department’s website. Questions may be directed to Walter Schneider at (717) 787-3806. Additional information is available on the Pennsylvania Bulletin. https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol56/56-40/1454.html

 

 

L&I: UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE REVIEW AND ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

The Department of Labor and Industry’s Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at 9 a.m. Participants may join by dialing (929) 205-6099. The meeting ID is 361 131 6502. The passcode is 259161. Questions may be directed to Kristen Gardner at (717) 346-1497. https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol56/56-40/1456.html

 

L&I: UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE REVIEW AND ADVISORY COUNCIL; TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES PARTICIPATION

The Department of Labor and Industry’s Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council announced it is seeking individuals interested in serving on the technical advisory committees to assist the council in their review and adoption of the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) codes. The application period will be open from Oct. 12 to Nov. 11. Individuals should send their questions to RALITECHADVRYCOUNC@pa.gov . Additional information is available in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol56/56-41/1495.html

 

 

Legislative Activity

The following bills have been acted upon in the General Assembly this past month.  

 

Bidding / Contracting

 

HB1541 RE: Indemnification Agreements (by Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein)

Amends the act entitled “An act relating to indemnification agreements between architects, engineers or surveyors and owners, contractors, subcontractors or suppliers and indemnification agreements relating to snow removal or ice control services,” providing for void and unenforceable provisions or terms in construction contracts and making editorial changes. Applies provisions to construction contracts. Amends the definition of “construction contract” to refer to a nonresidential contract, agreement or purchase order, additionally providing for design, observation, inspection, planning, and surveying relating to the construction of roads and possible economic damages. Changes language from “party” to “indemnitee” throughout section 1.2. Provides for indemnification agreements relating to construction contracts. Establishes a provision in a construction contract in which an indemnitee is indemnified, held harmless or insured for damages, claims, losses or expenses arising out of bodily injury to persons, damage to property or economic damage caused by or resulting from the indemnitee’s negligence should be void against public policy and unenforceable. Removes definition of “party,” redefines “construction contract” and defines “indemnitee.”

Laid on the table, and removed from table, 9/28/2026

 

Budget Bills

 

HB2214 RE: Supplemental Funding for Municipal Highway Maintenance (by Rep. Anthony A. Bellmon)

Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance, further providing for supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance; and, in taxes for highway maintenance and construction, further providing for imposition of tax. Adds the option of a more county allocation supplement amount as determined by the department for the purposes of complying with paragraph (5). Adds that a county may use the money for the construction and maintenance of bridges owned by municipalities in the county, considers a city of the first class a county and that a county may not receive funding under this subsection in an amount less than the amount received in the previous year unless the square footage of deck area of total square footage of deck area of a county’s county-owned bridges is less than the previous year. Provides that 2% or more from the Motor License Fund, as determined by the department, can be used for the construction and maintenance of bridges owned by municipalities, considers a city of the first class a county and prohibits a county from receiving funding less than the amount in the previous year, outlining exceptions. Effective in six months. (Prior PN: 2908) (PN 2908) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance, further providing for supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance; and, in taxes for highway maintenance and construction, further providing for imposition of tax. Adds the option of a more county allocation supplement amount as determined by the department for the purposes of complying with paragraph (5). Adds that a county may use the money for the construction and maintenance of bridges owned by municipalities in the county, considers a city of the first class a county and that a county may not receive funding under this subsection in an amount less than the amount received in the previous year unless the square footage of deck area of total square footage of deck area of a county’s county-owned bridges is less than the previous year. Provides that 2% or more from the Motor License Fund, as determined by the department, can be used for the construction and maintenance of bridges owned by municipalities, considers a city of the first class a county and prohibits a county from receiving funding less than the amount in the previous year, outlining exceptions. Effective on July 1, 2025, or immediately, whichever is later.

Re-reported as committed from House Rules Committee, and laid on the table, 9/8/2026

 

 

Energy Development Bills

NONE

 

Environmental Building Standards

NONE

 

Liability

NONE

 

Local/State Government/Regulations

 

HB513 RE: Pennsylvania State Coordinate System (by Rep. Eric Davanzo (R)

Amends Title 76 (Weights, Measures and Standards), providing for Pennsylvania State Coordinate System, for notation requirements and for duties of State Geospatial Coordinating Board; and making a repeal. Establishes that the most recent system of plane coordinates based on the National Spatial Reference System, known as the State Plane Coordinate System, which has been established by the National Geodetic Survey or its successors for defining and stating the horizontal and vertical positions or locations of points on the surface of the earth within this commonwealth, shall be known as the Pennsylvania State Coordinate System. Defines parameters. Asserts that specified official geodetic datums to which geodetic coordinates shall be as defined for the National Spatial Reference System or its successors and may be accessed via the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration continuously operating reference stations network. Requires previous versions of the Pennsylvania State Coordinate System to include the Pennsylvania Coordinate System of 1927 and the Pennsylvania Coordinate System of 1983 as specified by the act of June 2, 1937 (P.L.1208, NO. 310

Re-reported as committed from Senate Appropriations Committee, read third time, and passed House, 9/28/2026

Referred to House Rules Committee, 9/29/2026

Re-reported on concurrence, as committed, from House Rules Committee, and House concurred in Senate amendments, 10/6/2026

Signed in House and in Senate, 10/6/2026

Approved by the Governor, 10/8/2026 – Act No. 52 of 2026

 

SB403 RE: Stream Maintenance Package (by Sen. Gene Yaw)

Provides for allowing local government organizations to apply for a permit for continuing maintenance for a period of at least 10 years for the streams within their jurisdiction. This permit will grant an affirmative duty to the local government entity to properly maintain the streams and will not require the local government to get pre-approval for maintenance projects.

Reported from House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, with request to re-refer to House Local Government Committee, and re-referred to House Local Government Committee, 10/5/2026

 

SB1287 RE: Ensuring Adequate Water Supply Before Final Land Development Approval (by Sen. Dawn W. Keefer (R)

Amends the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in subdivision and land development, further providing for water supply. Adds that the evidence must be presented before final subdivision and land development approval.

Reported as committed from House Local Government Committee, read first time, and laid on the table, 9/28/2026

Removed from table, 9/30/2026

Read second time, and re-referred to House Appropriations Committee, 10/5/2026

Re-reported as committed from House Appropriations Committee, read third time, and passed House, 10/6/2026

Signed in Senate, and in the House, 10/7/2026

Approved by the Governor, 10/8/2026 – Act No. 58 of 2026

 

Local/Property Tax Reform

NONE

 

Mandate Waivers

NONE

 

Mechanic’s Lien

NONE

 

Permitting

NONE

 

Procurement

 

SB1410 RE: Commonwealth Party Procurement Contract Terms Act (by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill)

Prohibits contract terms that require a Commonwealth party or local agency to indemnify, defend, or hold another entity harmless from liability; to subject the Commonwealth party or local agency to binding arbitration or any other binding dispute resolution process; to designate a venue for legal action or dispute resolution against the Commonwealth party outside the courts of the Commonwealth or a federal court in Pennsylvania, or waives a claim or defense that the forum is not convenient or proper; to require the contract to be governed by the laws of a jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth or required by federal law; to conflict with applicable federal or state statutes or regulations; to require the Commonwealth party or local agency to pay attorney or collection fees; or to require the Commonwealth party to pay interest or late fees beyond what is authorized under the Fiscal Code..

Read second time, and re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee, 9/28/2026

Re-reported as committed from Senate Appropriations Committee, 10/5/2026

Read third time, and passed Senate, 10/7/2026 (49-0)

Referred to House State Government Committee, 10/7/2026

 

Professional Licensure

 

HB2645 RE: Home Inspector Licensing (by Rep. Tina M. Davis)

An Act amending the act of February 19, 1980 (P.L.15, No.9), known as the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act, providing for continuing education for licensed home inspectors and further providing for administration and enforcement; in qualifications and applications for licenses and registration certificates and providing for home inspector license and home inspector-in-training registration

Re-reported as committed from House Rules Committee, and laid on the table, 9/8/2026

Removed from table, amended on House floor, read second time, and recommitted to House Appropriations Committee, 9/28/2026

Re-reported as committed from House Appropriations Committee, read third time, and passed House, 9/29/2026 (190-13)

Regulatory Process

NONE

 

School Construction

 

HB2633 RE: Open PlanCon 2.0 (by Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock)

Amends the Public School Code, in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, repealing provisions relating to maintenance program and to building condition assessments and further providing for project reimbursement and for applicability. Repeals the maintenance project grant program for school entity maintenance projects. Removes additional points under the maintenance program funding rubric for school entities that complete building condition assessments. Removes the limitation that the maximum project reimbursement payment may not exceed 65% of a project’s structural cost. Provides for equal installment payments over 20 years totaling the reimbursement amount calculated under the general project reimbursement formula. Sets the adjustment factor at zero from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2026, and at one beginning July 1, 2026. Removes the maintenance project grant program from the applicability provision. Provides that the article applies to projects for which approval and reimbursement is sought beginning July 1, 2026, and allows certain projects not completed before that date to retroactively seek approval. Reduces the reimbursable amount, including for existing projects, by the amount of a related grant received under section 1753.2-E of The Fiscal Code.

Re-reported as committed from House Rules Committee, and laid on the table, 9/8/2026

 

HB2768 RE: Raising Procurement Thresholds (by Rep. Scott Barger (R)

Amends the Public School Code, in grounds and buildings, further providing for work to be done under contract let on bids and exception; and, in books, furniture and supplies, further providing for purchase of supplies. Stipulates that competitive bids will only be required if the entire cost, value or amount of the construction, reconstruction, repairs, maintenance or work, including labor and material, exceeds a base amount of $100,000, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Requires that all written or telephonic price quotations from at least three qualified and responsible contractors for all contracts that exceed a base amount of $50,000. Permits the board of school directors in any school district to perform any work where the entire cost or value, including labor and material, is less than a base amount of $50,000 using its own maintenance personnel. Requires all furniture, equipment, textbooks, school supplies and other appliances costing $100,000 or more to be purchased by the board of school directors only after due advertisement. Effective in 60 days.

 Referred to House State Government Committee, 9/14/2026

 

State/Local Taxes

 

SB1299 RE: Residential High-Rise Fire Sprinkler Retrofit Tax Relief Act (by Sen. Frank A. Farry)

The provides for a tax credit for retrofitting residential high-rise structures with an automatic fire sprinkler system and associated monitoring or detection devices. Allows the Office of the Mayor of a city of the first class, city of the second class, city of the second class A or city of the third class to award a tax credit to the owner of a residential high-rise structure in a determined amount against any income tax imposed by the city of the first class, city of the second class, city of the second class A or city of the third class, for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2026. Asserts that the tax credit shall be for investment in retrofitting residential high-rise structures with an automatic fire sprinkler system and associated monitoring or detection devices. Specifies the amount of the tax credit. Provides for administration. Outlines applicability.

Re-reported as committed from Senate Appropriations Committee, 9/28/2026

Amended on third consideration on Senate floor, 9/29/2026

Amended on third consideration on Senate floor, read third time, and passed Senate, 9/30/2026 (49-0)

Referred to House Local Government Committee, 9/30/2026

 

Transportation/Highways

NONE

 

Worker’s Comp

NONE

 

Workforce Development

NONE

 

Upcoming meetings of Interest

Some House Committee meetings and session can be viewed online at: https://www.pahouse.net/LegisTrak/CommitteeMeetings

Senate Committee meetings and session can be streamed at: https://www.pasenategop.com/watch/

 

 

2026 House Session Schedule (Subject to Change)

October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21

November 9, 10

 

2026 Senate Spring Session Schedule

October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21

November 17, 18

 

 

State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists Meeting Schedule 

PUBLIC WELCOME 

All Board meetings are held in person and remotely via Teams. In-person meetings will be held at a new location: 2525 N. 7^th Street, Harrisburg, PA, unless otherwise indicated.

https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/EngineersLandSurveyorsandGeologists/Pages/General-Board-Information.aspx#.VHNkfFZOk5s

Remaining 2026 dates: December 2

2027 dates: January 13, March 10, May 12, July 14, September 15, November 17

2028 dates: January 12, March 8, May 10, July 12, September 13, November 15

 

State Geospatial Coordinating Board

2026 GeoBoard Quarterly Meetings: November 12

HYBRID virtual conference & in person at: Pennsylvania Geological Survey 3240 Schoolhouse Rd, Middletown, PA 17057

https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/oa/programs/information-technology2/state-geospatial-coordinating-board.html

 

L&I: UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE REVIEW AND ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETINGS

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/labor-management-relations/bureau-of-occupational-and-industrial-safety/uniform-construction-code-home/ucc-review-and-advisory-council.html