An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in historic preservation incentive tax credit, further providing for tax credit certificates.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Argall and 5 co-sponsors

The bill aims to broaden and modify the historic preservation incentive tax credit by adjusting the tax credit certificate provisions to expand the program’s reach.

Referred to Finance

Overview

Senate Bill 1356 (2025-2026, Pennsylvania) amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971, specifically related to the historic preservation incentive tax credit. The measure is focused on adjustments to tax credit certificates, with the related short title indicating an overall intent to increase or modify the historic preservation tax credit program.

Purpose and intent

To modify provisions governing the historic preservation incentive tax credit, with an emphasis on tax credit certificates.

The accompanying memo (“Historic Preservation Tax Credit Increase”) signals an intent to increase or otherwise expand the program’s reach or effectiveness, though the exact numeric or structural changes require the text of the bill for precise figures.

Key provisions and changes (as described)

Amends the act of March 4, 1971 (Tax Reform Code of 1971) in the area of historic preservation incentive tax credits.

Specifically “further provides for tax credit certificates,” indicating changes to how certificates are issued, validated, or transferred, and possibly criteria, administration, or timing related to these certificates.

The exact provisions (e.g., eligibility criteria, credit amount, cap, transferability, recapture rules, program administrator responsibilities) would be found in the bill’s text; based on the title and memo, the emphasis is on increasing the effectiveness or scope of the tax credit via adjustments to the certificate mechanism.

Who and what would be affected

Eligible historic preservation projects that qualify for the state historic preservation incentive tax credit.

Entities undertaking such preservation—often developers, property owners, or nonprofit organizations—would interact with the program through the tax credit certification process.

State department or agency responsible for administering the tax credit certificates (likely the Department of Community and Economic Development or its successor), as the changes pertain to certificates.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Referred to the Senate Finance Committee on June 4, 2026.

There are no logged votes or committee hearings in the current record excerpt; the bill is in the standard legislative referral stage pending committee consideration and potential floor action.

As a tax credit statute, any changes would become effective upon enactment and would be implemented according to regulatory guidance issued by the administering agency, followed by any applicable transitional provisions.

Additional notes

Co-sponsors include Senators Marty Flynn (Prime), Greg Rothman, John Kane, and Art Haywood, indicating cross-party interest.

The “Historic Preservation Tax Credit Increase” memo suggests aim to broaden or augment the program, but the precise degree (e.g., credit percentage, cap, eligibility expansion) requires the full text of SB 1356.

If you’d like, I can incorporate the exact language from the bill text once available and provide a line-by-line breakdown of changes to the tax credit certificate provisions.