Pennsylvania SB478: An Act establishing the Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Community and Economic Development; establishing the Employee Ownership Advisory Board; and providing technical and financial assistance to employee-owned enterprises.

What the bill says

From the amended text, September 29, 2026:

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 441, 984, 1970 PRINTER'S NO. 1984 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL No. Session of INTRODUCED BY FARRY, PENNYCUICK, FONTANA, LAUGHLIN, TARTAGLIONE, KEARNEY, STEFANO, PISCIOTTANO AND COLLETT, MARCH 20, 2025 AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 Establishing the Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Community and Economic Development; establishing the Employee Ownership Advisory Board; and providing technical and financial assistance to employee- owned enterprises. 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 Employee Ownership Assistance 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: "Board." The Employee Ownership Advisory Board established under section 7(a). "Department." The Department of Community and Economic Development of the Commonwealth. "Employee-owned enterprise." One of the following: (1) A business that meets one of the following conditions: (i) The business is organized as: (A) an eligible worker-owned cooperative as defined under 26 U.S.C. § 1042 (relating to sales of stock to employee stock ownership plans or certain cooperatives); or (B) a corporation in which the employees own the stock of the corporation through an employee stock ownership …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Frank Farry (R, 6) · primary sponsor
• Tracy Pennycuick (R, 24)
• Wayne Fontana (D, 42)
• Daniel Laughlin (R, 49)
• Christine Tartaglione (D, 2)
• Timothy Kearney (D, 26)
• Patrick Stefano (R, 32)
• Nickolas Pisciottano (D, 45)
• Maria Collett (D, 12)

Latest actions

1. October 5, 2026: Referred to COMMERCE, Oct. 5, 2026
2. October 5, 2026: In the House
3. October 5, 2026: Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 5, 2026 (48-1)
4. September 29, 2026: Amended on third consideration, Sept. 29, 2026 (49-0)
5. September 28, 2026: Re-reported as amended, Sept. 28, 2026
6. July 17, 2025: Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, July 17, 2025
7. July 17, 2025: Second consideration, July 17, 2025
8. June 24, 2025: First consideration, June 24, 2025
9. June 24, 2025: Reported as amended, June 24, 2025
10. March 20, 2025: Referred to COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, March 20, 2025

Votes

• Senate Floor: SB478, RC 528 (October 5, 2026): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Senate Floor: SB478, RC 514 (September 29, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Appropriations: Re-Reported as Amended (September 28, 2026): 22 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Appropriations: Adopt Amendment (September 28, 2026): 22 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development: Reported as Amended (June 24, 2025): 13 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development: Adopt Amendment (June 24, 2025): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB478?

SB478 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act establishing the Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Community and Economic Development; establishing the Employee Ownership Advisory Board; and providing technical and financial assistance to employee-owned enterprises.

What is the status of SB478?

Passed one chamber as of October 5, 2026. Latest action: Referred to COMMERCE, Oct. 5, 2026 (October 5, 2026).

Who sponsored SB478?

Frank Farry (R, 6), with 8 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB478?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb478