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HR 495

A Resolution designating May 5, 2026, as "The Blessing of the Balers Day" in Pennsylvania.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marc Anderson and 20 co-sponsors

Designates May 5, 2026 as The Blessing of the Balers Day in Pennsylvania to formally honor balers and the agricultural community, without creating policy or funding.

Adopted
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 495

Bill Summary: HR 495 (2025-2026, Pennsylvania)

Title

A Resolution designating May 5, 2026, as "The Blessing of the Balers Day" in Pennsylvania.

Purpose and Intent

  • To officially designate a statewide observance called "The Blessing of the Balers Day" on May 5, 2026.
  • The resolution appears to recognize and promote appreciation for balers and presumably the farming community that uses balers, though the text provided does not include a preamble with explicit rationale. The primary action is ceremonial and commemorative.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes May 5, 2026, as a special day in Pennsylvania titled "The Blessing of the Balers Day."
  • The designation is a House Resolution, which is an expression of the General Assembly’s recognition and does not itself create enforceable law or funding.
  • No specific programs, grants, or expenditures are stated in the summary text provided.
  • The bill lists a broad set of sponsors and co-sponsors from both major parties and various districts, indicating bipartisan or cross-aisle support for recognizing the event.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • State government and public institutions in Pennsylvania would acknowledge the day in official communications, ceremonies, or observances as appropriate.
  • Farmers, balers manufacturers, agricultural communities, and related associations may participate in or organize events recognizing the blessing and the role of balers in agriculture.
  • The designation primarily affects ceremonial recognition rather than regulatory or fiscal policy.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee on April 28, 2026.
  • Next steps: Committee consideration, potential committee vote, and then floor action in the Pennsylvania House; if passed, it could move to the Senate (not indicated in the provided text) and onward through the legislative process.
  • As a resolution, passage would require a simple majority in the House; no gubernatorial signature is typically required for concurrent or simple resolutions, but the exact procedural path depends on Pennsylvania’s legislative process for House Resolutions.

Additional Details

  • Prime sponsor: Representative Bud Cook (District 50).
  • Notable co-sponsors include representatives from a broad range of districts and both parties, signaling a broad interest in recognizing agricultural culture and community events.
  • No fiscal impact, statutory changes, or regulatory duties are described in the available information.

Bottom Line

HR 495 is a ceremonial House Resolution designating May 5, 2026, as "The Blessing of the Balers Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to publicly honor the baler within the agricultural community and does not propose new laws, funding, or regulatory changes beyond formal recognition.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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