A new bill from state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) aims to make it easier for Pennsylvanians to reclaim lost money.

House Bill 1189, which passed the state House on Tuesday, would require the Pennsylvania Treasury to automatically return unclaimed property valued at up to $10,000 to verified owners.

Currently, residents must search a database and file a claim to recover forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, and other assets.

Under Bizzarro’s bill, if the Treasury can confirm contact details within the past year, the funds would be returned without any action needed by the owner.

“This is about giving people back what’s already theirs, without the red tape,” Bizzarro said, noting bipartisan support, including backing from the Republican state treasurer.

More than $5 billion in unclaimed property is waiting to be returned, according to the Treasury.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.