Pennsylvania HR544: A Resolution recognizing the month of September 2026 as "International Underground Railroad Month" in Pennsylvania.

What the bill says

A resolution Recognizing the month of September 2026 as "International Underground Railroad Month" in Pennsylvania.

From the introduced text, June 1, 2026:

A RESOLUTION Recognizing the month of September 2026 as "International Underground Railroad Month" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, The trans-Atlantic slave trade began as early as the 15th century, introducing a system of slavery that was commercialized, racialized and inherited; and WHEREAS, People were forcefully abducted from Africa, enslaved in the American colonies and exploited to work in the production of crops, such as tobacco and cotton; and WHEREAS, Although the Commonwealth passed a law in 1780 that gradually eliminated slavery, the existing 6,000 enslaved people in this Commonwealth remained enslaved and the enslaved people's registered children would be enslaved until their 28th birthdays; and WHEREAS, Although a person could no longer legally import enslaved people, they could buy and sell those who had been registered after 1780; and WHEREAS, The law freed few enslaved people immediately; and WHEREAS, The Commonwealth continued to tolerate and profit from the labor of enslaved people for decades and many Commonwealth cities enacted legislation that restricted and oppressed free people of color; and WHEREAS, During the era of slavery in the United States, the Underground Railroad covertly operated as a network of places, routes and people that assisted African Americans who were enslaved to escape to freedom; and WHEREAS, The term Underground Railroad was used metaphorically as "conductors," which included a racially diverse group of abolitionists, …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Christina Sappey (D, 158) · primary sponsor
• Dan Williams (D, 74)
• Nancy Guenst (D, 152)
• Benjamin Waxman (D, 182)
• La'Tasha Mayes (D, 24)
• Tarah Probst (D, 189)
• Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153)
• Melissa Shusterman (D, 157)
• Maureen Madden (D, 115)
• Christopher Pielli (D, 156)
• Kristine Howard (D, 167)
• Nikki Rivera (D, 96)

Latest actions

1. September 29, 2026: (Remarks see House Journal Page ), Sept. 29, 2026
2. September 29, 2026: Adopted, Sept. 29, 2026 (203-0)
3. September 28, 2026: Removed from table, Sept. 28, 2026
4. July 12, 2026: Laid on the table (Pursuant to House Rule 71), July 12, 2026
5. June 9, 2026: Reported as committed, June 9, 2026
6. June 1, 2026: Referred to TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, June 1, 2026

Votes

• House Floor: HR544, RC 1375 (September 29, 2026): 203 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development: Report Bill As Committed (June 9, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HR544?

HR544 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): A Resolution recognizing the month of September 2026 as "International Underground Railroad Month" in Pennsylvania.

What does HR544 do?

In its own words: A resolution Recognizing the month of September 2026 as "International Underground Railroad Month" in Pennsylvania.

What is the status of HR544?

Passed both chambers as of September 29, 2026. Latest action: (Remarks see House Journal Page ), Sept. 29, 2026 (September 29, 2026).

Who sponsored HR544?

Christina Sappey (D, 158), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HR544?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr544