Local Lawmaker’s Historic Preservation & Hospital Transparency Bills Advance

July 17, 2024

State Rep. Jim Prokopiak.
Credit: Submitted

Democratic State Rep. State Rep. Jim Prokopiak recently had two bills move forward in Harrisburg.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a Fiscal Code bill into law on July 11, which incorporated language from Prokopiak’s proposal to expand the funding for the Historic Preservation Tax Credit.

Originally penned as House Bill 2358, the proposal sought to increase the tax credit from $5 million to $20 million starting in 2025. The legislation was absorbed into the broader state budget package.

“Investing in preserving our historic structures does two things,” Prokopiak said. “It not only helps to better tell the story of our commonwealth’s history, but it also is an economic driver as it helps turn these structures into income-producing properties.”

Prokopiak cited data that every $1 million invested into historic rehabilitation projects generates 6.4 direct jobs and 5.6 indirect jobs in Pennsylvania, a rate that reportedly surpasses all other industries in the state.

Despite being one of 37 states with a similar tax credit, Pennsylvania previously had the fourth-lowest cap at $5 million. For the fiscal year 2022-23, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission received requests totaling $12.7 million for 31 projects, but could only fund 22 due to the cap constraints, according to the state representative’s office.

The Pennsylvania House passed a bipartisan bill earlier this month aimed at increasing hospital pricing transparency.

The bill was co-sponsored by state representatives Prokopiak; K.C. Tomlinson, a Republican from Bensalem Township; Tarik Khan, a Democrat of Philadelphia; David Rowe, a Republican representing Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata counties; Benjamin Sanchez, a Democrat representing Montgomery County; and Dawn Keefer, a Republican representing York County.

This bill, which passed with a 168-34 vote, would match state-level oversight with current federal mandates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It requires hospitals to prominently display a comprehensive list of charges for all services and items on their websites, accessible at no cost.

“I am thrilled to see House Bill 2339 pass,” Tomlinson said. “This will provide much-needed transparency to our health care system and make sure charges will be known and clear for our constituents across the state.”

“Consumers deserve transparency in the cost of non-emergency hospital care,” Prokopiak said. “House Bill 2339 ensures patients can compare the cost of tests and procedures at different hospitals so they can make informed choices, which in the end, will benefit Pennsylvanians’ pocketbooks.”

The hospital pricing transparency bill now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for further consideration.

Prokopiak represents the 140th Legislative District that is made up of Falls Township, Morrisville Borough, Tullytown Borough, and part of Middletown Township.