Veterans, emergency-preparedness measures advance out of Pennsylvania House committee; several move to the floor

The House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee on an unspecified date voted unanimously to send two resolutions and four bills to the full House for consideration, moving measures on volunteer firefighters, junior ROTC, workplace veterans benefits information, a veteran-owned business logo, emergency small-business aid and a temporary tax exclusion forward.

The committee advanced several largely noncontroversial items and one amended bill. The measures move to the House floor for further consideration; committee members repeated support for recognizing volunteers, supporting veterans transitioning to business ownership, and delivering targeted aid to small businesses affected by a recent plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.

House Resolution 14, introduced by Representative Benninghoff and brought up by a motion from Representative Craig Williams and seconded by Representative Brown, designates April 12, 2025, as Volunteer Firefighter Day in Pennsylvania. "We have a great debt of gratitude to our volunteer firefighters," Chairman Gillan said during discussion, and the committee passed the resolution unanimously.

House Resolution 93, sponsored by Representative Webster and brought forward by motion of Representative Stender with a second from Representative Dougherty, asks for analysis of junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs in Pennsylvania high schools and where participation has fallen. Representative Webster said, "this is an effort to make sure we're doing the background, the analysis, and figure out how we might...goose junior ROTC programs in our high schools," and members expressed unanimous support. The resolution moves to the floor without opposition.

House Bill 799, authored by Representative Deasy, directs the provision of information at worksites about how workers can access veterans benefits and support. The committee moved the bill to the floor unanimously after a brief presentation.

House Bill 993, sponsored by Representative Inglis, would direct the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to design a voluntary veteran-owned business logo, create an application process for its use and display, and permit voluntary donations to the Veterans Trust Fund on the logo application. Representative Inglis said the logo is intended to "show community members the continued contributions of veterans in our local economies" and to give consumers a way to support veteran-owned businesses. The bill sets a 51% veteran-ownership threshold for eligibility and authorizes DMVA to issue implementing guidelines. The bill also makes fraudulent use of the logo a third-degree misdemeanor, with fines directed to the Veterans Trust Fund. Representative Brown asked whether the bill includes grants or training for veteran-owned businesses; Representative Inglis replied that such supports are "not part of the original bill" but that sponsors are "open to amendments." Chairman Gillan asked for and received confirmation that the logo "shall not include any language that may be construed as an endorsement by the commonwealth." The committee advanced the bill unanimously.

House Bill 877, sponsored by the committee chair, was considered with Amendment 00194, offered by Representative Dougherty and adopted by voice vote after a motion by Representative Borowski and a second from Representative Banta. Representative Dougherty described the amendment as requiring the Joint State Government Commission to study how neighboring states operate emergency grant programs for small businesses and to make recommendations. On the underlying bill, sponsors said the measure is intended to provide targeted financial and technical assistance, including through the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) network, to the roughly "5 to 6 businesses" identified as most affected by the January 31 plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia. Committee members asked whether ongoing litigation might cover business losses; sponsors said they did not know of any such suits and that the program is meant to be a narrow, targeted aid package. The amended bill moved to the floor unanimously.

House Bill 1001, the final item, would exclude certain emergency-related payments to individuals from taxable income, similar to a provision the committee added to the chapter during the COVID emergency. Chairman Gillan said he "wholeheartedly support[s]" the measure and the committee moved the bill to the House floor for consideration.

Votes at a glance

- House Resolution 14 (Rep. Benninghoff) — Motion to bring up by Rep. Craig Williams, seconded by Rep. Brown; outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote; forwarded to the House floor. - House Resolution 93 (Rep. Webster) — Motion to bring up by Rep. Stender, seconded by Rep. Dougherty; outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote; forwarded to the House floor. - House Bill 799 (Rep. Deasy) — Motion to bring up by Rep. Webster, seconded by Rep. SAPI; outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote; forwarded to the House floor. - House Bill 993 (Rep. Inglis) — Motion to bring up by Rep. Ouattro, seconded by Rep. Kerwin; outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote; forwarded to the House floor. Key provisions: DMVA to oversee logo design and application; 51% veteran ownership eligibility; voluntary donation option to Veterans Trust Fund; fraudulent use a third-degree misdemeanor. - House Bill 877, as amended (sponsor: committee chair) — Amendment 00194 (Rep. Dougherty) adopted (motion by Rep. Borowski; second by Rep. Banta); underlying bill advanced by unanimous voice vote. The amendment directs a study by the Joint State Government Commission of other states' emergency grant programs for small businesses. - House Bill 1001 (sponsor: committee chair) — Motion to bring up by Rep. Stender, seconded by Rep. Monroe; outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote; forwarded to the House floor. Key point: excludes certain emergency payments to individuals from taxable income.

The committee closed with a brief recognition that Representative Kerwin had been appointed to the Keystone State Challenge Academy Advisory Council. The committee did not take roll-call vote tallies in the record; the chair announced that each item moved forward by unanimous voice vote.