Pennsylvania legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pennsylvania SB1088: An Act amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veteran recognition, providing for First Defenders Day.
Status: In committee, June 9, 2026
What the bill says
Amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for observance of First Defenders Day as a legal holiday in Pennsylvania.
From the introduced text, November 11, 2025:
Amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for observance of First Defenders Day as a legal holiday in Pennsylvania. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Title 38 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a part to read: PART III LEGAL HOLIDAYS Chapter 22. First Defenders Day CHAPTER 22 FIRST DEFENDERS DAY Sec. 2201. Scope of chapter. 2202. Observance of First Defenders Day as legal holiday. § 2201. Scope of chapter. This chapter recognizes the contributions of the residents of this Commonwealth who defended the nation's capital during the Civil War. § 2202. Observance of First Defenders Day as legal holiday. (a) Legislative findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) On April 18, 1861, in response to President Abraham Lincoln's call for troops to defend the nation's capital following the commencement of the Civil War, five volunteer militia units from this Commonwealth were the first to arrive in Washington, DC. (2) These units became known as the "First Defenders," and their prompt response symbolized this Commonwealth's leadership and commitment to preserving the Union. (3) The First Defenders included members of the Allen Infantry (Allentown), the Logan Guards (Lewistown), the Washington Artillerists (Pottsville), the National Light Infantry (Pottsville) and the Ringgold Light …
Sponsors
- Jarrett Coleman (R, 16) · primary sponsor
- Scott Martin (R, 13)
- Christine Tartaglione (D, 2)
- Doug Mastriano (R, 33)
- Wayne Fontana (D, 42)
- David Argall (R, 29)
- Patrick Stefano (R, 32)
Latest actions
- : Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, June 9, 2026
- : Second consideration, June 9, 2026
- : First consideration, June 2, 2026
- : Reported as amended, June 2, 2026
- : Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, Nov. 11, 2025
Votes
- Senate State Government: Reported as Amended (June 2, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate State Government: Adopt Amendment (June 2, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: STATE GOVERNMENT
Common questions
- What is SB1088?
- SB1088 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veteran recognition, providing for First Defenders Day.
- What does SB1088 do?
- In its own words: Amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for observance of First Defenders Day as a legal holiday in Pennsylvania.
- What is the status of SB1088?
- In committee as of June 9, 2026. Latest action: Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, June 9, 2026 (June 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB1088?
- Jarrett Coleman (R, 16), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB1088?
- On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb1088
Source: official Pennsylvania record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.