LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP: $226M headed to 376,000 Pennsylvanians through Property Tax/Rent Rebate program

WILKES-BARRE — The Shapiro Administration has announced the expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program will deliver $226.4 million to nearly 376,000 Pennsylvanians starting this week.

This initial round of rebates began being distributed on Wednesday, July 1, to seniors, widows and widowers, and residents with disabilities who applied for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2025.

The expansion increased the maximum standard rebate to $1,000 (up from the prior $650 max), raised income eligibility limits for homeowners and renters, and tied the income limits to cost-of-living adjustments. Thanks to this change, the income limit for rebate applicants is now $48,110 — up more than $1,500 from last year.

“When I took office, I made a commitment to Pennsylvanians to cut costs and put more money back in their pockets,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “This program has long been a lifeline for our seniors and people with disabilities. Now that the program offers higher income limits and larger rebates, it is in a much better place to continue serving as that critical lifeline for years to come.”

As a result, last year the PTRR program delivered $315 million to more than 513,000 Pennsylvanians. The total dollars distributed last year represented a 64% increase from the year before the expansion of the program took effect.

There have also been nearly 167,000 first-time filers who have received a rebate through the PTRR program since it was expanded — meaning 167,000 more Pennsylvanians have received a tax cut as a result of the expansion.

Rebates are issued starting July 1, as required by Pennsylvania law. After the initial distribution of rebates on July 1, rebates are distributed as applications are received and processed. As a reminder, the deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2025 was recently extended to Dec. 31, 2026.

The PTRR program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Eligible applicants must reapply for a rebate every year because eligibility is based on yearly income and the amount paid in property taxes or rent during the prior year.

Applying online through myPATH is free, fast, and available in English and Spanish, with no account required. The system provides instant confirmation and helpful tools, including automatic calculators, to guide applicants through the process.

It’s free to apply for a rebate, and assistance is available at hundreds of locations across the state: Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, and state legislators’ offices.

Bresnahan introduces bill to protect against healthcare fraud

U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township, introduced legislation this week to strengthen coordination between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Through this coordination, Bresnahan said the Protect Seniors and Veterans from Healthcare Fraud Act would prevent duplicative billing, reduce waste, and better protect taxpayer dollars.

Bresnahan first spoke about his legislation during a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Hearing this week.

“Veterans who have served our country deserve a healthcare system that works for them, not bad-faith providers taking advantage of the system,” said Bresnahan. “This legislation protects taxpayer dollars and makes sure healthcare resources are being used the way they were intended to.”

Many veterans receive healthcare through the VA while also being enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid. Although the federal government currently shares limited information to help prevent duplicate payments under traditional Medicare, Bresnahan said gaps remain for Medicare Advantage and Medicaid, leaving taxpayer dollars vulnerable to improper payments.

Bresnahan said the Protect Seniors and Veterans from Healthcare Fraud Act would require the VA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a two-year data-sharing agreement that expands coordination across Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid. He said the legislation would direct the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and CMS to share relevant enrollment, billing, and diagnostic information to identify instances of duplicate or improper payments and submit a report to Congress evaluating the effectiveness of the partnership.

Bresnahan said the Protect Seniors and Veterans from Healthcare Fraud Act supports ongoing efforts to modernize the VA, strengthen accountability, and ensure federal health care programs operate more efficiently for veterans, seniors, and taxpayers alike.

Haddock opposes UGI rate hike

Continuing his strong support for residents and businesses in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, state Rep. Jim Haddock wrote to PA Public Utility Commission Chairman Steve DeFrank to oppose the recent rate increase sought by UGI Electric.

“Over the past several weeks, my district offices have been inundated with calls and emails from people who are deeply concerned about how they will absorb yet another increase in their monthly utility bills,” said Haddock, D-Pittston Township. “Families, seniors on fixed incomes and working Pennsylvanians are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, housing, healthcare and other everyday necessities. This proposed increase would place an unacceptable financial burden on households that are already stretched to their limits.

“Under UGI Electric’s proposal, the total monthly bill for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month would increase from $200.50 to $226.23, an increase of 12.8%. At a time when many Pennsylvanians are making impossible choices between paying for utilities, medications or groceries, this level of increase is simply unsustainable.

“As state representative, I believe these customers deserve reliable, affordable service, not another significant rate hike that threatens their financial stability. I respectfully urge the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to reject this proposed rate increase at this time.”

Haddock also opposed a 2023 rate hike requested by PA American Water Co.

Judiciary Committee advances body camera bill

The Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation this week to authorize county probation and parole officers to use body-worn cameras, according to committee chair Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township.

House Bill 2299 would include county probation and parole officers among the law enforcement personnel authorized to use body-worn cameras while performing their official duties.

“Last session, the General Assembly expanded the use of body-worn cameras for several categories of law enforcement officers, recognizing the value these devices provide in promoting transparency and officer safety,” Baker said. “County probation and parole officers face many of the same risks while carrying out their duties in our communities. This legislation is a logical next step to ensure they have access to the same tools that protect officers, strengthen public confidence and provide an objective record of encounters.”

Baker said current law permits many law enforcement officers to use body-worn cameras under the Commonwealth’s Wiretap Act, but does not extend that authorization to county probation and parole officers. She said House Bill 2299 updates the statutory definition of “law enforcement officer” to include these officers, allowing them to utilize the technology in the same manner as other law enforcement agencies.

House Bill 2299 now advances to the full Senate for consideration.