PA HB1751

Creates the Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Community and Economic Development, led by a Governor-appointed Employee Ownership Advocate, to provide outreach, education, and technical support for businesses converting to employee-owned structures such as ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and employee-ownership trusts.

Establishes the Main Street Employee Ownership Grant Program providing grants up to $35,000 to businesses with fewer than 200 employees to establish worker cooperatives, convert to employee ownership, or obtain technical assistance.

Creates a technical assistance program offering loans or grants up to $35,000 (covering up to 50% of costs) for feasibility studies and professional services, with repayment required if the employee-ownership group successfully purchases the enterprise.

Authorizes financial assistance through loans and loan guarantees to employee-owned enterprises reorganizing industrial, manufacturing, and agricultural facilities, distributed through local administrative agencies.

Establishes an 11-member Employee Ownership Advisory Board including representatives from labor unions, banking, cooperatives, and academia, required to meet at least twice yearly and submit annual reports by December 31 to legislative committees.