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HB 2402

An Act providing for the capital budget for fiscal year 2026-2027; itemizing public improvement projects, furniture and equipment projects, transportation assistance, flood control projects, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission projects and Manufacturing Fund projects leased or assisted by the Department of General Services and other State agencies, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing the incurring of debt without the approval of the electors for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed, acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services and other State agencies; authorizing the use of current revenue for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed, acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services and other State agencies stating the estimated useful life of the projects; and making appropriations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jordan Harris

Authorizes debt-financed capital projects for FY 2026-2027 without voter approval, funded by current revenues, with itemized costs and project useful lives.

Re-committed to Appropriations
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2402

Summary: HB 2402 (Pennsylvania) – 2025-2026 Session

Overview

  • Bill Name: An Act providing for the capital budget for fiscal year 2026-2027; itemizing public improvement projects, furniture and equipment projects, transportation assistance, flood control projects, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission projects and Manufacturing Fund projects leased or assisted by the Department of General Services and other State agencies, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing the incurring of debt without the approval of the electors for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed, acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services and other State agencies; authorizing the use of current revenue for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed, acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services and other State agencies stating the estimated useful life of the projects; and making appropriations.
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
  • Co-sponsor: Jordan Harris

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill establishes the capital budget framework for FY 2026-2027.
  • It items a comprehensive list of capital projects across multiple state agencies, with estimated costs.
  • It seeks to authorize financing for these projects, including:
    • Incurring debt without a voter referendum (elector approval) for the purposes of financing projects undertaken or assisted by the Department of General Services (DGS) and other state agencies.
    • Using current revenues to finance the projects.
  • It also specifies the estimated useful lives of the financed projects.
  • The bill concludes with appropriations to fund the listed projects.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Capital Budgeting and Project Listing: Requires a detailed enumeration of capital projects, which include:
    • Public improvement projects
    • Furniture and equipment projects
    • Transportation assistance
    • Flood control projects
    • Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission projects
    • Manufacturing Fund projects
    • Projects leased or assisted by DGS and other state agencies
    • Each item includes an estimated financial cost
  • Debt Authority without Elector Approval: Authorizes the state to incur debt to finance the listed projects without securing approval from voters (electors).
  • Use of Current Revenue: Allows the use of current revenue streams to finance the projects.
  • Estimates of Useful Life: Requires stating the estimated useful life of each project or asset financed.
  • Appropriations: Contains appropriations necessary to fund the capital program.

Beneficiaries and Affected Entities

  • State Agencies: Department of General Services and other state agencies involved in capital projects will administer financed projects.
  • Public Projects: Local and regional public improvements financed through state borrowing and annual appropriations.
  • Taxpayers/Voters: Indirectly affected by debt issuance without direct voter approval.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative History (Action Timeline):
    • Referred to Appropriations on March 24, 2026
    • Reported as committed on March 25, 2026
    • Laid on the table on March 25, 2026 (and subsequently removed from table and re-committed)
    • Second consideration and re-commitment to Appropriations in April 2026
    • Advanced to further consideration in mid-April 2026
  • The bill is part of the annual or multi-year capital budgeting process, typically approved by the legislature and signed by the Governor.

Potential Impacts

  • Financing Approach: Enables debt issuance without direct elector (voter) approval for capital projects, potentially accelerating project delivery but increasing long-term financing obligations.
  • Project Pipeline: Establishes a prioritized, itemized slate of capital projects tied to state infrastructure, public amenities, flood control, transportation, and agency-specific initiatives.
  • Fiscal Planning: Provides a clear framework of estimated project costs and useful lives, aiding long-term budgeting and depreciation planning.
  • Economic and Construction Activity: Could stimulate construction activity, job creation, and related economic effects tied to the funded projects.

If you’d like, I can add a section comparing this bill to prior capital budgets or outline the specific project categories and typical funding ranges once the bill’s project list is publicly available.

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

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