Summary of House Bill 1030
Bill Overview
- Bill Number: HB 1030
- Title: An Act designating Hershey's Kisses as the official State candy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Introduced On: March 24, 2025
- Current Status: Referred to Community, Economic & Recreational Development
- Prime Sponsor: Thomas Mehaffie
Purpose and Intent
House Bill 1030 aims to officially designate Hershey's Kisses as the state candy of Pennsylvania. This bill seeks to celebrate and promote a product that is not only iconic to the state but also has historical significance, as Hershey, Pennsylvania, is home to the Hershey Chocolate Company.
Key Provisions
- Official Designation: The bill specifies that Hershey's Kisses will be recognized as the official state candy of Pennsylvania.
- Effective Date: The provisions of the bill will take effect immediately upon passage.
Fiscal Impact
- According to the Fiscal Note prepared by the House Committee on Appropriations, the bill is projected to have no fiscal impact on the Commonwealth's funds for the fiscal years 2024/25 and 2025/26. This means that designating Hershey's Kisses as the state candy will not incur any costs to the state budget.
Legislative Actions
The following are key legislative actions taken regarding HB 1030:
- March 24, 2025: Bill referred to the Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development Committee.
- April 23, 2025: First consideration and reported as committed.
- May 7, 2025: Removed from the table for further discussion.
- May 12, 2025: Re-committed to Appropriations and subsequently passed through second and third considerations.
- May 13, 2025: Re-reported as committed.
- May 22, 2025: Referred to Community, Economic & Recreational Development for further review.
Sponsorship
The bill has garnered support from a diverse group of cosponsors, including:
- Melissa Cerrato
- Mary Jo Daley
- Nathan Davidson
- Justin Fleming
- Keith Greiner
- Joe Hogan
- R. Lee James
- Joe Kerwin
- Tarik Khan
- Dave Madsen
- Steven Malagari
- Kristin Marcell
- Steven Mentzer
- Ed Neilson
- Jim Prokopiak
- Chad Reichard
- Michael Schlossberg
- Perry Warren
- David Zimmerman
- Tim Brennan
- Keith Harris
- Jacklyn Rusnock
- Tina Davis
Conclusion
House Bill 1030 is a straightforward legislative proposal that seeks to honor Hershey's Kisses as Pennsylvania's official state candy. With no anticipated fiscal impact, the bill reflects a cultural acknowledgment of a beloved product that is synonymous with the state. The bill is currently under review by the Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee, with a timeline that indicates it is progressing through the legislative process.
