Pennsylvania HB2047: An Act establishing the Local News Fellowship Program; imposing duties on the State System of Higher Education; and providing for administration of the Local News Fellowship Program.

What the bill says

From the amended text, October 20, 2026:

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 2622, 2874 PRINTER'S NO. 4084 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL No. Session of INTRODUCED BY RABB, SANCHEZ, WAXMAN, KHAN, RIVERA, FREEMAN, K. HARRIS, SMITH-WADE-EL, WARREN, CIRESI, TAKAC, MADSEN, CONKLIN AND FIEDLER, NOVEMBER 18, 2025 AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OCTOBER 20, 2026 Establishing the Local News Fellowship Program; imposing duties on an administering institution THE STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION; and providing for administration of the Local News Fellowship Program. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Local News Fellowship Program Act. Section 2. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Administering institution." An institution designated by the Governor within the State System of Higher Education that is reasonably qualified to administer the program or the State Library of Pennsylvania. "Civic information needs." The information resources, <-- <-- including local journalism and communication infrastructure, needed by a community for civic engagement and participation. "Community-based newsroom." A nonprofit or independent media organization that meets all of the following criteria: (1) Maintains its principal place of business within this Commonwealth. (2) Primarily serves a …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Christopher Rabb (D, 200) · primary sponsor
• Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153)
• Benjamin Waxman (D, 182)
• Tarik Khan (D, 194)
• Nikki Rivera (D, 96)
• Robert FREEMAN (D, 136)
• Keith Harris (D, 195)
• Ismail Smith-Wade-El (D, 49)
• Perry Warren (D, 31)
• Joseph Ciresi (D, 146)
• Paul Takac (D, 82)
• David Madsen (D, 104)

Latest actions

1. October 27, 2026: Referred to EDUCATION, Oct. 27, 2026
2. October 27, 2026: In the Senate
3. October 21, 2026: Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 21, 2026 (103-100)
4. October 21, 2026: Re-reported as committed, Oct. 21, 2026
5. October 20, 2026: (Remarks see House Journal Page ), Oct. 20, 2026
6. October 20, 2026: Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, Oct. 20, 2026
7. October 20, 2026: Second consideration, with amendments, Oct. 20, 2026
8. October 19, 2026: Removed from table, Oct. 19, 2026
9. February 4, 2026: Laid on the table, Feb. 4, 2026
10. February 4, 2026: First consideration, Feb. 4, 2026

Votes

• House Floor: HB2047, RC 1573 (October 21, 2026): 103 yea, 100 nay, passed
• House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Committed (October 21, 2026): 22 yea, 15 nay, passed
• House Floor: HB2047, RC 1549 (October 20, 2026): 203 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Communications & Technology: Report Bill As Amended (February 4, 2026): 14 yea, 12 nay, passed
• House Communications & Technology: Adopt Amendment (February 4, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2047?

HB2047 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act establishing the Local News Fellowship Program; imposing duties on the State System of Higher Education; and providing for administration of the Local News Fellowship Program.

What is the status of HB2047?

Passed one chamber as of October 27, 2026. Latest action: Referred to EDUCATION, Oct. 27, 2026 (October 27, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2047?

Christopher Rabb (D, 200), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2047?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2047