Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 12 R · 6 D cosponsors

SB 173 — An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, providing for veteran of Korean Armed Forces.

Last action — Laid on the table

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 23, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 18 sponsors

    1 primary, 17 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (12 R · 6 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 5 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

27 added · 25 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill SB 173 clarify the definition and eligibility criteria for veterans of the Korean Armed Forces seeking benefits in Pennsylvania. Specifically, the language now clearly states that eligible veterans must have served on active duty during the Vietnam War and have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This change is important because it ensures that those who have served alongside American forces during a significant historical conflict are acknowledged and can receive the same rights and benefits as U.S. military veterans.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
HOUSE AMENDED PRINTER'S NO.
111 PRINTER'S NO.
432 PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS.
181 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
111, 181 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
WARD, BAKER, STEFANO, MASTRIANO, VOGEL, DUSH, STREET, FARRY AND COLLETT, JANUARY 23, 2025 AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, providing for veteran of Korean Armed Forces.
WARD, BAKER, STEFANO, MASTRIANO, VOGEL, DUSH, STREET, FARRY AND COLLETT, JANUARY 23, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MARCH 19, 2025 AN ACT AmeConsolidated Statutes, in general provisions, providing for veteran of Korean Armed Forces.
(a) Eligibility.--Any resident of this Commonwealth who is an eligible veteran of the Korean Armed Forces and, a duly <-- naturalized citizen of the United States AND HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED <-- BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS UNDER 38 U.S.C.
(a) Eligibility.--Any resident of this Commonwealth who is an eligible veteran of the Korean Armed Forces, a duly naturalized citizen of the United States and has been recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 U.S.C.
§ 109 (RELATING TO BENEFITS FOR DISCHARGED MEMBERS OF ALLIED FORCES) shall be afforded the same rights, benefits, recognition and privileges as afforded to veterans of the Pennsylvania military forces.
§ 109 (relating to benefits for discharged members of allied forces) shall be afforded the same rights, benefits, recognition and privileges as afforded to veterans of the Pennsylvania UNITED STATES military forces.
(b) Proof of service.--Any appropriate Commonwealth agency or department may request supporting documentation to determine that an individual applying for benefits or recognition is an eligible veteran of the Korean Armed Forces.
<-- (b) Proof of service.--Any appropriate Commonwealth agency or department may request supporting documentation to determine that an individual applying for benefits or recognition is an eligible veteran of the Korean Armed Forces.
A request may include discharge or separation papers or other documents of proof to establish military service AND DOCUMENTS FROM THE <-- UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
A request may include discharge or separation papers or other documents of proof to establish military service and documents from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(c) Definition.--The term "eligible veteran of the Korean Armed Forces" shall mean any member of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces who served on active duty in the Vietnam War between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and received an <-- honorable discharge or equivalent discharge from military service.
(c) Definition.--The term "eligible veteran of the Korean Armed Forces" shall mean any member of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces who served on active duty in the Vietnam War between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and has been recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 U.S.C.
HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF <-- VETERANS AFFAIRS UNDER 38 U.S.C.
20250SB0173PN0181 - 2 -
20250SB0173PN0432 - 2 -
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Action History

  1. Laid on the table

  2. First consideration

  3. Reported as amended

  4. Referred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

  5. Third consideration and final passage

  6. Amended on third consideration

  7. Re-reported as committed

  8. Re-referred to Appropriations

  9. Second consideration

  10. First consideration

  11. Reported as committed

  12. Referred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 17 co-sponsors · 235 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (17)

Not signed on (235)

235 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 235 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Committee vote (Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness): Report Bill As Amended

Passed 26 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 14000
Republican 12000
Total 26000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (26)
Member Party Vote
Amen Brown Democratic Yea
Brian Munroe Democratic Yea
Chris Pielli Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Greg Scott Democratic Yea
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Yea
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Jim Haddock Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Yea
John C. Inglis III Democratic Yea
Lisa A. Borowski Democratic Yea
Nancy Guenst Democratic Yea
Paul Takac Democratic Yea
Sean Dougherty Democratic Yea
Abby Major Republican Yea
Charity Grimm Krupa Republican Yea
Craig Williams Republican Yea
Dane Watro Republican Yea
Jacob D. Banta Republican Yea
Jill N. Cooper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joe Hamm Republican Yea
Joe Kerwin Republican Yea
Josh Bashline Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Michael Stender Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness): Adopt Amendment

Passed 26 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 14000
Republican 12000
Total 26000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (26)
Member Party Vote
Amen Brown Democratic Yea
Brian Munroe Democratic Yea
Chris Pielli Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Greg Scott Democratic Yea
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Yea
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Jim Haddock Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Yea
John C. Inglis III Democratic Yea
Lisa A. Borowski Democratic Yea
Nancy Guenst Democratic Yea
Paul Takac Democratic Yea
Sean Dougherty Democratic Yea
Abby Major Republican Yea
Charity Grimm Krupa Republican Yea
Craig Williams Republican Yea
Dane Watro Republican Yea
Jacob D. Banta Republican Yea
Jill N. Cooper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joe Hamm Republican Yea
Joe Kerwin Republican Yea
Josh Bashline Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Michael Stender Republican Yea

Official roll call →

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 49 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 27000
Democratic 22000
Total 49000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Amanda M. Cappelletti Democratic Yea
Anthony H. Williams Democratic Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Carolyn T. Comitta Democratic Yea
Christine M. Tartaglione Democratic Yea
Jay Costa Democratic Yea
John I. Kane Democratic Yea
Judith L. Schwank Democratic Yea
Katie J. Muth Democratic Yea
Lindsey M. Williams Democratic Yea
Lisa M. Boscola Democratic Yea
Maria Collett Democratic Yea
Marty Flynn Democratic Yea
Nick Miller Democratic Yea
Nick Pisciottano Democratic Yea
Nikil Saval Democratic Yea
Patty Kim Democratic Yea
Sharif Street Democratic Yea
Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic Yea
Timothy P. Kearney Democratic Yea
Vincent J. Hughes Democratic Yea
Wayne D. Fontana Democratic Yea
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Chris Gebhard Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Daniel Laughlin Republican Yea
David G. Argall Republican Yea
Dawn W. Keefer Republican Yea
Devlin J. Robinson Republican Yea
Doug Mastriano Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Yea
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Jarrett Coleman Republican Yea
Joe Picozzi Republican Yea
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Judy Ward Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Yea
Rosemary M. Brown Republican Yea
Scott E. Hutchinson Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (Appropriations): Re-Reported as Committed

Passed 22 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 14000
Democratic 8000
Total 22000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (22)
Member Party Vote
Amanda M. Cappelletti Democratic Yea
Art Haywood Democratic Yea
Jay Costa Democratic Yea
Judith L. Schwank Democratic Yea
Patty Kim Democratic Yea
Sharif Street Democratic Yea
Timothy P. Kearney Democratic Yea
Vincent J. Hughes Democratic Yea
Chris Gebhard Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Jarrett Coleman Republican Yea
Joe Picozzi Republican Yea
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Yea
Rosemary M. Brown Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness): Reported as Committed

Passed 11 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 7000
Democratic 4000
Total 11000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (11)
Member Party Vote
John I. Kane Democratic Yea
Katie J. Muth Democratic Yea
Lindsey M. Williams Democratic Yea
Nick Pisciottano Democratic Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Doug Mastriano Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

veterans
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 173?
SB 173 is sponsored by Tracy Pennycuick (Republican), Rosemary M. Brown (Republican), Wayne D. Fontana (Democratic), Christine M. Tartaglione (Democratic), Kristin Phillips-Hill (Republican), Jay Costa (Democratic), John I. Kane (Democratic), Lynda Schlegel Culver (Republican), Judy Ward (Republican), Lisa Baker (Republican), Patrick J. Stefano (Republican), Doug Mastriano (Republican), Elder A. Vogel (Republican), Cris Dush (Republican), Sharif Street (Democratic), Frank A. Farry (Republican), Maria Collett (Democratic), and Devlin J. Robinson (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 173?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 23, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 173?
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