Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB26

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/2/25
• Refer: 4/2/25

Caption

In State Lottery, further providing for powers and duties of secretary.

Summary

SB26 amends Pennsylvania’s State Lottery Law to change how lottery revenues are allocated. Specifically, it removes the existing statutory schedule that set minimum percentages of lottery revenues dedicated to property tax relief and free or reduced-fare transit service for older adults, including the future 25% floor that was scheduled to begin after June 30, 2029. The bill leaves the secretary’s general authority to administer the lottery intact, but deletes the detailed percentage requirements from the law. In practical terms, the bill would give the Department of Revenue greater flexibility in apportioning lottery proceeds among the lottery’s statutory purposes, rather than locking in a future minimum share for the property tax relief and senior transit category. The measure takes effect 60 days after enactment and would amend the specific subsection governing the secretary’s powers and duties under the State Lottery Law.

Impact

The bill would amend Section 303(a)(11)(iv) of the State Lottery Law, which governs how lottery revenues are distributed. By striking the existing percentage floor language, SB26 would eliminate the statutory mandate that a specified share of lottery revenues be reserved for property tax relief and free or reduced-fare transit service for the elderly after the current phase-in period. This could affect funding predictability for programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians and local property tax relief, while increasing administrative discretion over lottery revenue allocation.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the available context suggests a neutral-to-supportive administrative framing rather than overt controversy. The bill appears to be presented as a technical change to lottery revenue allocation rules, with no documented opposition or public testimony in the provided materials. Because no voting history or transcript is available, there is no evidence here of strong partisan division or organized support/opposition.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the removal of the guaranteed revenue set-aside for property tax relief and senior transit services. Supporters may view the change as giving the lottery secretary more flexibility to manage revenues, while opponents could argue it weakens funding protections for programs that benefit older adults and local taxpayers. The affected parties would include seniors, transit users eligible for reduced fares, and recipients of property tax relief, as well as state administrators responsible for lottery budgeting.