The House Labor & Industry Committee on an undisclosed date favorably reported House Bill 135, which would reduce the minimum number of employees required to form a worker cooperative from five to three.

Sponsor Representative Kojewski said cooperatives “are an alternative business structure that allows the businesses to be democratically owned and operated by workers and the community that uses the business.” He argued the bill would help smaller entrepreneurs form businesses that can “band together and compete against larger corporations.”

The bill’s proponent told the committee the current five-member threshold is a barrier in Pennsylvania and that lowering it to three would allow more entrepreneurs to select a cooperative economic model. Ryan, a committee staff member, provided the bill explanation for the record.

Minority Chair Grove characterized the bill as “less government” and said the minority did not register negative votes. No member rose in opposition during the committee’s consideration, and the chair reported the bill favorably as committed.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript excerpt for this item.

House Bill 135 will advance from committee as a favorably reported measure; further steps (floor consideration, amendments, final passage) were not recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.