[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6266444,"mediaKeyId","3087139-b33b337e81a00267efd2ccbc8389f01c","parentId",3087139,"title","Committee hears expansion of Beginning Farmer Tax Credit to include buyers, raise cap and add limited refundability","audioSeconds",1118,"startMs",1695000,"endMs",2813000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087139-b33b337e81a00267efd2ccbc8389f01c&start=1695&end=2813","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087139-b33b337e81a00267efd2ccbc8389f01c/thumbnail_1695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266444/Pennsylvania/Committee-hears-expansion-of-Beginning-Farmer-Tax-Credit-to-include-buyers-raise-cap-and-add-limited-refundability","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266444-e15714496c7c516a761eeadd1626fe59/orig.mp4?Expires=1774980583&Signature=AcnQ4dOpIY3m9ct7aqI8co~EuwZ77b9d2pGI9glsPls483BQevBmCjfCctslc~YVT01S6F7R3MCx2njgtRc0dEF5rklPwBsGvTzMk9tAu8vlGk8Qms3djuhHoDemvpF7~FrrqVrEBO6p5zSxQDWxM5lx8mq2tWY6X0JpV7Rhc~xHSLAKHARoxqvnAMfr7jbVeW1FsSH1lJ2BtkVO1uWuwG3KAU6UfjwhK3TEKazbq9px0ihBp2t3VVNanuLombDngT6uJzVEzmJg3KfZKF4-U5v0hBzhPF9Mg-R3xKVlTkPW~gJrjxu09vyX~4H8Q8~FqGSq1B8CDikK3bsTFoBwSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsylvania House of Representatives","date","2025-04-23T00:29:55.517Z","article","Representative Paul Friel introduced a bill to expand the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit so it benefits both sellers and buyers in farm transitions, raises the maximum credit amount and adds limited refundability after a three‑year hold period.

Friel said the bill makes existing program rules more flexible by allowing a beginning farmer who purchases or leases (with discussion about removing lease language) to use the credit, raising the maximum credit to better match land values and extending the redemption window from one to three years so new farmers have more time to use the benefit.

Russell Redding, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture, told the committee the changes are revenue‑neutral (no increase in total tax credit authorization) and would create more flexibility for farm transitions. He said Pennsylvania has significant preserved farmland and a relatively large share of beginning farmers: “we have 650,000 acres preserved as well as 6,500 farms in the state preserved,” he said, and noted many of the state’s farms are owned by older operators. Redding told members the program has been “woefully undersubscribed” and that the Department expects the changes to increase take‑up.

Redding outlined the bill’s principal adjustments: expanding eligibility to purchasers (not just sellers), raising the credit cap to $50,000, allowing up to a three‑year period to use the credit and making a portion refundable if unused after that period. The committee packet and discussion identified the refundable mechanics: after the 3‑year period a remaining portion becomes refundable up to a stated cap; staff noted that the refundable maximum in the bill language would be $15,000 in most instances.

Ryan Brown, president of the Cumberland County Farm Bureau and a beginning farmer, testified in support and described the high cost of land and equipment for new farmers. Brown said owning land is typically necessary to obtain financing and start an operation, and that the expansion would help keep farms productive and available to future generations.

Committee members questioned whether the bill is truly revenue neutral and whether the leased/ rented component should remain. Chair Keith Greiner asked for clarification on the program’s authorization level; Secretary Redding responded that availability was set at $6 million and that the bill preserves revenue neutrality while reallocating or providing flexibility within that cap. Members noted the program has been underutilized — Redding reported approximately 304 farms have used the credit to date — and discussed removing the lease element because leasing has not been a common pathway into farming.

No formal action was taken at the hearing. The chair said the bill and related materials will be considered at a scheduled committee vote later in the week; members may submit amendments beforehand.

Ending: Supporters said the changes would make the credit more usable for younger and beginning farmers and help preserve family farms; members asked for continued administrative detail and clarification on lease versus purchase eligibility and refund mechanics.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Committee -- April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Paul Friel introduced a bill to expand the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit so it benefits both sellers and buyers in farm transitions, raises the maximum credit amount and adds limited refundability after a three‑year hold period.","taxTitle","Finance, House of Representatives, Legislative, Pennsylvania","taxId",29251,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6266449,"Lawmakers weigh repeal of Pennsylvania lottery profit‑margin mandate; state estimate shows $1.24 billion over 10 years",348,1250000,1598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087139-b33b337e81a00267efd2ccbc8389f01c&start=1250&end=1598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087139-b33b337e81a00267efd2ccbc8389f01c/thumbnail_1250000.jpg","/articles/6266449/Pennsylvania/Lawmakers-weigh-repeal-of-Pennsylvania-lottery-profitmargin-mandate-state-estimate-shows-124-billion-over-10-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266449-ca37df9ae0f592680477db6d7807351c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774980583&Signature=Y25qkiSMup2K2IgogepX-i6NCCPhs1PzgTu0X8orFJjJnnh7PZ3fb17v8qhjArbYLrE33zfE8iq~~E3HidD-1qfWca47RBiMcVjBrL4P7cMZX3LrGIFRoiXdeUxHuuF78BajPZ6ACQOwJOgmA6isyP8XUTVq4pEFTXccTgc4OodD7YN8~PkEMBia7IDkYXMivmY6MvIwgtirtHEGapk31OAishqVnUVJeBJkb9eYPlrtGizX4BXz1Oeb-1MVMle4-wH4UfWZlsTB4EsuFIVhBjtcFRrqbJd3X52rdB50QzgYtCX0Mp2tdYiRWI8Fx1nP9AoCLRcankjugQGNeqes-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Melissa Schusterman told the House Finance Committee that House Bill 1058 would eliminate the lottery profit‑margin mandate so the Pennsylvania Lottery could set competitive prize odds and pricing.

Schusterman, the bill sponsor, said the mandate prevents the Lottery from matching pricing practices used by the seven highest grossing state lotteries and that changing the statutory requirement would allow more competitive products. “My legislation accomplishes this by eliminating the profit margin mandate,” she said.

Mark Foreman, the committee’s senior executive director standing in for the Lottery, directed members to materials in the committee packet showing Pennsylvania ranks eighth among high‑revenue state lotteries and that the top seven do not have a comparable profit‑margin mandate. He told the committee that allowing the Lottery to vary prize payouts could increase ticket sales and overall net proceeds.

A revenue estimate provided to the committee and highlighted in the packet said eliminating the profit‑margin mandate and allowing higher payouts could generate an incremental $1,240,000,000 in additional revenue over the next 10 years. Committee members asked for more granular modeling; staff said the Department of Revenue would supply additional numbers before the scheduled voting meeting.

Several members framed the change as a tool to protect funding that supports senior programs funded by Lottery proceeds. A committee member said they would file an amendment restating that the Lottery’s mission includes sustaining or increasing funding for programs that benefit Commonwealth seniors each fiscal year.

No formal action was taken at the hearing. Committee members were given an opportunity to ask questions; the chair scheduled the bills for the committee’s forthcoming voting meeting and said members could submit amendments before the posted deadline.

Ending: Supporters argued the repeal would help the Lottery compete with private gaming and other states while preserving senior program funding; members asked the Department of Revenue for more detailed fiscal analysis before a vote.

","Representative Melissa Schusterman told the House Finance Committee that House Bill 1058 would eliminate the lottery profit‑margin mandate so the Pennsylvania Lottery could set competitive prize odds and pricing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6266454,"Committee hears bills to modernize local tax collection notices and allow recovery of collection costs for business and county taxes",1001,219000,1220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087139-b33b337e81a00267efd2ccbc8389f01c&start=219&end=1220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087139-b33b337e81a00267efd2ccbc8389f01c/thumbnail_219000.jpg","/articles/6266454/Pennsylvania/Committee-hears-bills-to-modernize-local-tax-collection-notices-and-allow-recovery-of-collection-costs-for-business-and-county-taxes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266454-7afb0adeb721c92a860c740e16aa86b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1774980583&Signature=oIY9b2wMpshOo56PQFc8w3YdjL1dIzbvVZ9PyBCbvBtOUffCmbCSjtiPR4IRr1oDd-MJoPJXS7zV53ohPAfSrgdpquNkGcYWq1NNuW-qxIeas79UyAq7~m0vXoKsQylok7U60kMTPnUXfnLOMSXJKdWotOqBSNUosJPoKxTkOH~2hpGY4veBoMFUtpAA7Sdfeal2X1w6y~SwCRxFEdRZ2blB5VMw-wG~YIsl8Q8nwLgHXM5P09jLZsbwPpGupHjD5dHHxvqWk6jmRCiELVpLlI5hNoE-quVWy0MqGJAeBc7i10zFx7EeIj6R-ES1qxkClJbrMcC01-ZzC9s1XH1pmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Finance Committee held a public hearing in Harrisburg on two related measures, House Bill 852 and House Bill 853, that would change how local taxes are collected and how collection costs are recovered.

Representative Joe Webster, sponsor and member of the committee, described HB 852 as a targeted modernization that “removes the requirement for a certified letter from the tax collector to the delinquent taxpayer.” He said the change responds to delivery problems in gated communities and multifamily housing and intends to reduce inadvertent delinquencies caused by reliance on certified mail.

Why it matters: Sponsors and testifiers said the measures aim to help municipalities and contracted tax collectors collect taxes already due while reducing procedural burdens on taxpayers who may not receive certified mail. Supporters said the change could increase collection rates and reduce administrative cost inefficiencies.

Dave Gordon, general counsel for Bergheimer, testified for the bills and told the committee that including business‑oriented local taxes in the list of recoverable collection costs and relaxing the certified‑mail requirement would align procedures across tax types. Gordon said county per capita and county occupation assessment taxes currently lack a consistent cost‑recovery mechanism and that the bills would make collection practices uniform across municipal, school district and county taxes. He also described practical problems with the certified‑mail requirement before wage garnishment, saying taxpayers often respond only after an employer receives a garnishment demand.

Committee members pressed for due‑process protections. Representative Kephart asked whether dropping certified mail could leave taxpayers unable to prove they never received a notice; Webster and Gordon said the bill’s amendment would permit either the existing certified notice or a minimum of three first‑class notices before some collection remedies are used. Webster summarized the amendment option as allowing “either process” and noted the practical idea that three first‑class letters are less likely to be lost than one certified notice.

Members raised constituent service concerns tied to contracted tax collectors. Representative Devanzo sharply criticized Bergheimer’s customer service, saying his family and constituents had long waits and delayed responses; he called the customer service “embarrassing and it’s awful.” Committee staff said they would pass contact information to members and asked Bergheimer to investigate cases where callers could not reach customer care.

The committee chair noted the bills apply to all tax collectors in the Commonwealth (Philadelphia is covered by a separate law) and that an amendment removing subsections c and d (language borrowed from section 707 of the Local Tax Enabling Act) will be included in materials for the scheduled voting meeting. The committee did not take formal action at the hearing; members were told the amendment deadline for the voting meeting is 1:00 p.m. the following day.

Next steps: The committee scheduled a voting meeting for Thursday at 10 a.m. in room B‑31 to consider these bills along with other measures. No formal votes were recorded at the hearing.

Ending: Supporters said the bills are narrow technical changes intended to improve collection while preserving options for due process; critics urged the committee to ensure adequate customer service and oversight of contracted collectors.

","The House Finance Committee held a public hearing in Harrisburg on two related measures, House Bill 852 and House Bill 853, that would change how local taxes are collected and how collection costs are recovered.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears expansion of Beginning Farmer Tax Credit to include buyers, raise cap and add limited refundability

Lawmakers weigh repeal of Pennsylvania lottery profit‑margin mandate; state estimate shows $1.24 billion over 10 years

Committee hears bills to modernize local tax collection notices and allow recovery of collection costs for business and county taxes