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House Finance Committee unanimously backs tax exemption for Holocaust restitution payments
Summary
The House Finance Committee voted unanimously to pass House Bill 416, which would exempt restitution payments to Holocaust survivors from Pennsylvania personal income tax; sponsors and advocates described the measure as largely symbolic but important for dignity and fairness.
Chairman Samuelson led the House Finance Committee on a unanimous voice vote to advance House Bill 416, a measure to exempt restitution payments received by Holocaust survivors from Pennsylvania personal income tax.
The bill, sponsored in committee by Representative Waxman, was introduced during the committee's voting meeting by Representative Venkat (mover) and seconded by Representative Gallagher. Committee executive director Mark Forman summarized the measure as "personal income tax exemption on existing restitution payments to Holocaust survivors." Representative Waxman told the committee, "What this bill does is it it ensures that restitution from the German government to Holocaust survivors are exempt from Pennsylvania state income tax." Representative Harris added support during discussion, calling taxation of those payments "like an insult to injury" and noting, "it's not American tax dollars."
A nut graf: supporters said the fiscal impact to the commonwealth is minimal and framed the bill as a matter of fairness and dignity for survivors and their families. Forman told the committee the measure's fiscal impact was small; Waxman and other members said the exemption aligns Pennsylvania with most other states and removes what they described as an additional burden on survivors.
Committee testimony and written support were cited during the earlier public hearing: Forman said the committee heard testimony from an organization recorded as "3 g Philadelphia" and had support letters from the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Fund Foundation, the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Forman also reported that restitution payments are not taxed at the federal level and that "They're not taxed in 46 states." When the committee called the question, Chairman Samuelson asked, "Are there any negative votes on House Bill 4 16?" and the clerk recorded that "House Bill 4 16 passes the finance committee unanimously." The transcript does not record a roll-call tally.
The committee took no additional amendments or follow-up directions on the record; the item advanced as passed by committee. The meeting moved on to the next bill and was later adjourned.
