Our Journey
Here is a timeline of what the HKC has accomplished in their journey to make Hershey's Kisses the state candy:
March 26, 2024
The House voted on HB 1030, passing it with bipartisan support of 130-71. We went to Harrisburg to watch the vote live!
February 5 + 6, 2024
We held an open forum with the Tourism Committee members to answer their questions before the Committee voted the next day. On the day of the Committee vote, HB 1030 received an unanimous "yes" vote! Watch the vote here!
Additionally, Senator Santarsiero joined as a co-prime sponsor to our Senate bill! He will be be re-introducing the bill along with Senator Collett and Senator DiSanto in the Senate.
June 28, 2023
Our house bill received a new number (HB 1030) and was referred from the State Government Committee to the Tourism and Economic and Recreational Development Committee.
March 22, 2023
Rep. Mehaffie and Rep. Kim reintroduce our bill into the house for the new session!!!
April 6, 2022
SB 1122 passed the Senate State Government Committee with a 10-1 vote.
March 30, 2022
We were invited to attend the Senate State Government Committee meeting that was planned to discuss and vote on our bill. It was unfortunately canceled prior to our arrival, but we still made the best out of our visit!
February 22, 2022
We were fortunate enough to be on a podcast with the Secretary of Education for PA: Dr. Ortega!
February 14, 2022
Senator Collett introduced a companion piece of legislation to the Senate on Valentine's Day. What a perfect day to introduce "sweet" legislation! SB1122!
January 3, 2022
We had our second meeting with Senator Collett. She agreed to be our Senate sponsor and introduce our companion bill to the Senate!
December 7, 2021
Our bill is now being introduced into the House State Government Committee for its consideration. It has also been assigned a number and is referred to as HB2150!
November 18, 2021
We met with Representative Mehaffie. We were amazed to hear that he would introduce our bill, with our own whereas statements, to the House!
May 20, 2021
We met with Senator Maria Collett over Zoom and received her support as well!
May 11, 2021
We met with Representative Perry Warren to discuss the next steps in our journey in the legislative process. We were grateful to receive his support!
April 22, 2021
We gained the Hershey Company's approval for making the Kiss the state candy with a meeting with Mr. Jeff Beckman, Hershey's spokesperson, and Ms. Joanna Turner, director of government relations for Hershey.
January 2021
The Hershey Kiss Committee was formed by one of our social studies teachers and mentors! (Mr. Loughran and Mr. McCarthy)
