Government Relations Report
August 15, 2025
Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters!
Since the beginning of January 2025, both the Pennsylvania House and Senate have been very busy introducing various pieces of legislation. As of this report the House of Representative members have introduced over 1700 pieces of legislation and the Senate has introduced over 900 proposed bills. They cover a wide range of subject matter, but most will never get out of committee and go to the floor for a vote.
By law, Pennsylvania is required to have a budget passed by both Houses and signed by the Governor no later than June 30th. To date, we are still without a budget in the Commonwealth. Due to this inactivity of not passing a budget, it is beginning to affect various programs and services across the state. If you follow your local news, you are beginning to see stories about the cut of services for older adults, education and other social services. The main sticking point is how to fund the budget. No one wants to raise taxes, so the legislatures are looking for other ways to pass the budget. One activity is exploring programs that can be cut from the budget or decreased in funding. While this is a good start, it still does not achieve the goal of getting a balanced budget. The other activity of course is to increase revenue to the Commonwealth. Both Chambers have been looking at these two options. The two items that seem to be getting most of the attention is either to legalize recreational marijuana or finally regulate Skill games. What the final outcome will be is anyone’s guess.
To date, there has been no movement towards the regulation of Skill games. Four bills have been introduced HB 1141 Cashing in by Regulating Skill Games, SB 626 Regulating, SB 756 Taxation and Regulation of Skill Gaming Machines and Taxing Skill Video Games and HB 1619 Skill Game Regulations. All four bills are very similar for the most part, but the major factor is the taxing of the bills. HB 1141 wants to tax at 49%, SB 626 is at 16%, SB 756 wants to tax at 35% and HB 1619 really does not address tax rate. This will be the biggest hurdle in finding a compromise for a tax rate that both parties can live with. It will eventually happen, just not sure when.
So far, there have only been 7 bills introduced regarding attempting to amend December 19, 1988 (P.L. 1262) known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance. Only one of which has even moved out of committee. The one that will be getting a lot of attention is HB 1050 Small Games of Chance Modernized. If this is passed, it would be a game changer for us. This bill would change the split from 60/40 to 25/75. It would introduce electronic pull-tabs, event games, progressive pull-tabs and increase prize limits to $5,000 and the weekly prizes limit to $70,000. Currently, this has not had any movement out of committee. This is also partially due to the budget stalemate. One bill did finally get some consideration, SB 416 which would allow for mobile payment. This bill passed the Senate and currently is in the House Gaming Oversight Committee
Finally, for all you hunters, there has been two bills introduced to change the first day of deer season back to the Monday after Thanksgiving. These bills are HB 1659 and SB 391. Neither bill has moved out of committee. Also, HB 1431 Repeal of Sunday Hunting passed both House and became law with the Governor signing it in July to become Act 36 of 2025. The Game Commission has recently approved 13 Sunday hunting day. They run from September 14th through December 7th for the 2025-26 hunting season.
Finally, there are many other pieces of legislation that are being considered that could affect us both personally and fraternally. Most will never get out of committee and go to the floor for a vote. If any do begin getting traction, I will be sure to share this information with the Association and Lodges.
This concludes the report of the Government Relations Committee. Thank you and enjoy the rest of the State Convention.
Fraternally,
Jim Hudack
Government Relations Chairperson
This is a new bill introduced by Representative Kerry Benningoff. It has 29 co-sponsors. The interesting thing is that there is no tax on this bill just a licensing fee.
Skill games significantly benefit the Commonwealth by providing substantial revenue for Pennsylvania small businesses, fraternal clubs, and nonprofits.
Businesses and establishments distributing, servicing, and operating skill games are subject to sales, personal income, and property taxes as well as other local taxes. These establishments are already struggling to make ends meet and depend on the supplemental revenue these games provide. Therefore, I will not propose an additional burdensome “special” tax on these establishments.
My legislation will grandfather all existing legal skill game terminals currently operating in the commonwealth. A deadline to register these devices will be established. Once that deadline has passed, limits on the type of establishments and the numbers of terminals per location will be imposed.
This bill will implement regulations, tracking of terminal locations, and establish guardrails for operation, protections to eliminate underage gaming, and tools for law enforcement to better help distinguish between legal skill games and illegal gambling devices.
“There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen.” – Jim Lovell
Jim Hudack
HB 44 which allows SGC at wineries. No real affect on us.
An article that changes voting for House Committees. This should make it easier for bills to move to the House floor.
An article about how the PA senate is targeting Skill games for a tax revenue source. As of this time no bills have been introduced. Once one is, I will get everyone a copy.
Things will be picking up over the next few weeks.
Have a great week and stay warm.
“There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen.” – Jim Lovell
Jim Hudack
Government Relations Report
March 21, 2024
Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters!
In order to be brief, there are currently 8 bills in the House and the Senate attempting to amend December 19, 1988 (P.L. 1262) known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance. These 8 bills include a variety of changes that include changing the split, permitting card games using credit cards, and total modernization of the whole SCG law. None of these have made it out of committee as of yet.
There 4 bills regarding PA Skills games. SB 706 HB 2075 would make them regulated, legal and taxed at a 16% rate. But there is not split requirement of the proceeds by the establishment. SB 969 would make them illegal period. This bill of course is being supported by the casino industry. HB 2042 would make skills regulated similar to slot machines. It is estimated that there currently are over 60,000 Skills games in Pennsylvania and could produce over $300 million in additional revenue. I am not really sure what will happen down the road.
HB 2068 will allow a club to put their license up to one year, plus apply for an additional year. It also lowers the fee for the process.
Finally, HB 1657 and SB 681 which are the same bills would finally ban smoking in clubs and other places. In the House, HB 1657 has made it to 1st consideration in the middle of November. I do have a feeling that this bill will move to the floor for a vote in both chambers.
Since we are in budget season, I do see much movement on any of these bills until the budget is decided. Although stranger things have happened in Harrisburg.
Just a reminder that the Primary election is April 23, 2024. Please go vote.
I will continue to keep everyone updated as these bills progress or new bills are introduced.
Thank you.
Fraternally,
Jim Hudack
Government Relations Chairperson