Pennsylvania HB2048: An Act establishing the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium; providing for administrative, fiscal or logistical services and governance and duties of the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium, for grantmaking priorities, for editorial independence, for public access and transparency and for long-term funding strategy.

What the bill says

From the amended text, October 20, 2026:

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 2623, 2875 PRINTER'S NO. 4085 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL No. Session of INTRODUCED BY RABB, SHUSTERMAN, WAXMAN, KHAN, RIVERA, FREEMAN, K. HARRIS, HOWARD, SANCHEZ, 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 Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium; providing for administrative, fiscal or logistical services and governance and duties of the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium, for grantmaking priorities, for editorial independence, for public access and transparency and for long-term funding strategy. 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 Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium Act. Section 2. Declaration of purpose. The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) A strong and diverse local news sector is essential to the functioning of democracy. Communities across this Commonwealth rely on credible, independent journalism to stay informed about public affairs and to participate meaningfully in civic life. (2) Research consistently demonstrates that access to reliable reporting supports transparent government, encourages civic engagement and fosters community trust. (3) Research also demonstrates that most Pennsylvanians seek out news from trusted, independent sources, including local print and digital news organizations. (4) Market pressures and structural changes in …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Christopher Rabb (D, 200) · primary sponsor
• Melissa Shusterman (D, 157)
• Benjamin Waxman (D, 182)
• Tarik Khan (D, 194)
• Nikki Rivera (D, 96)
• Robert FREEMAN (D, 136)
• Keith Harris (D, 195)
• Kristine Howard (D, 167)
• Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153)
• Ismail Smith-Wade-El (D, 49)
• Perry Warren (D, 31)
• Joseph Ciresi (D, 146)

Latest actions

1. October 27, 2026: Referred to COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, 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: HB2048, RC 1574 (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: HB2048, RC 1551 (October 20, 2026): 201 yea, 2 nay, passed
• House Floor: HB2048, RC 1550 (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 HB2048?

HB2048 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act establishing the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium; providing for administrative, fiscal or logistical services and governance and duties of the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium, for grantmaking priorities, for editorial independence, for public access and transparency and for long-term funding strategy.

What is the status of HB2048?

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

Who sponsored HB2048?

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

Where is the official record for HB2048?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2048