Last Week in the Legislature 4.30.25

House lawmakers returned to Harrisburg for legislative session last week and advanced several proposals affecting Pennsylvania businesses, including legislation related to data privacy, legal liability, cryptocurrency, and waste management.

Here is a recap of last week’s legislative action most relevant to employers:

 Data Privacy (H.B. 78; Neilson)

 The House of Representatives unanimously advanced House Bill 78 last week.

This legislation would regulate the collection and use of consumers’ personal data by providing consumers with certain rights and requiring businesses to protect and limit the collection of personal data.

The PA Chamber believes a national framework for data privacy regulation would be preferable to protect consumer data, promote transparency, and provide regulatory certainty in the marketplace. Congress, however, has not yet advanced consumer data privacy legislation and in the meantime, 20 states have adopted a patchwork of data privacy laws. We have advocated that if lawmakers are to advance data privacy legislation at the state level, that they look to states such as Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Texas, which crafted their laws with input from the business community.

Noted in the PA Chamber of Business and Industry's memo that they will continue to advocate for improvements, particularly with respect to the threshold for covered businesses. The legislation now heads to the Senate for potential consideration.

Limited Liability for Food Donations (H.B. 615; Khan)

 The House of Representatives also unanimously passed House Bill 615 last Wednesday.

This legislation would amend the Donated Food Limited Liability Act to expand the current immunity from civil and criminal liability to apply to the donation of food that has exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended label date but is still fit for human consumption.

This legislation is a commonsense update of the Donated Food Limited Liability Act to ensure businesses are able to donate food that may be past the manufacturer’s “best by” date but is still safe to consume. Doing so will reduce food waste and support non-profits who rely on these donations to serve people in need.

The PA Chamber for Business and Industry supported this bill, which now heads to the Senate.

 Cryptocurrency Reporting Requirements (H.B. 1210; Vitali)

 The House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee voted on party lines to advance House Bill 1210 last Wednesday.

This legislation would impose new onerous reporting requirements for “crypto-asset” mining operations and direct the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a related study.

While we support transparency and responsible energy usage, the bill imposes additional regulations that could discourage investment in Pennsylvania. Crypto mining and blockchain technologies are a growing part of our ever-evolving technology industry and our economy.

We opposed this bill (CLICK HERE for for the PA Chamber of Business and Industry's memo), which now moves to the full House.

 Food Processing Residuals (H.B. 586; Friel)

 The House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee also voted 15-11 to advance House Bill 586 last Wednesday.

This legislation amends the Solid Waste Management Act, making several changes to the way that Pennsylvania handles food processing residue (FPR).

Employers potentially impacted by this legislation worked with lawmakers to draft amendments that address several concerns with the underlying bill.  The amendments clarify procedural requirements, including classification, land use, and disclosure requirements (CLICK HERE for the PA Chamber of Business and Industry's memo).

The bill ultimately passed out of Committee without any amendments being adopted, and now moves to the full House, where we will continue to advocate for improvements.