Good Intent Hose Company No. 1 is urging nonprofit organizations from across Pennsylvania to gather at the state Capitol on Monday, September 28, 2026, to advocate for changes to the state’s Small Games of Chance laws.
The Branch Township volunteer fire company suspended its weekly online raffles after receiving a state directive in August. Revenue from those fundraisers had helped the company purchase firefighting equipment and cover other operational needs.
Online Raffle News Conference Planned at State Capitol
State Sen. Devlin Robinson is scheduled to hold a news conference addressing nonprofit fundraising laws at the Pennsylvania Capitol.
- Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
- Time: 9:30 a.m.
- Location: Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg
State Reps. Tim Twardzik and Russ Diamond are expected to join Robinson. Good Intent public information officer Paul T. Kennedy, Bill Anderson of Pottsville Area Little League and Jennifer Jarvis of Lancaster Snow Angels are also scheduled to participate, according to Robinson’s media advisory.
“Nonprofits across Pennsylvania should have the chance to tell lawmakers what these fundraising rules mean for their organizations and the people they serve,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy encouraged volunteer fire and EMS organizations, veterans’ groups, agricultural organizations, civic groups and other eligible nonprofits to attend.
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Considering Two Raffle Bills
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 416 would permit licensed eligible organizations to accept credit cards, debit cards and other electronic payments for raffle tickets. The proposal includes requirements such as age verification.
The bill passed the Pennsylvania Senate by a 49-0 vote in July 2025 and was referred to the House Gaming Oversight Committee. Senate Bill 416 addresses payment methods, while a separate proposal addresses whether fire companies may conduct raffles online.
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 398 would allow licensed fire companies to conduct up to two online raffles per year. Under the bill’s current language, that authorization would expire on December 31, 2026.
The House Gaming Oversight Committee is scheduled to consider both bills at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 29.
How Pennsylvania Nonprofits Can Participate
Good Intent Hose Company is asking organizations planning to attend Monday’s Capitol event to complete the public registration form and provide an estimate of how many representatives they expect to bring.