Transportation 2021-2022
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 to consider the following legislation:
Senate Bill 145 (Brooks) – exempts municipal trucks from state bonding requirements in cases where these vehicles are traveling short distances for road maintenance activities, as well as additional provisions creating a permanent program for Letters of Local Determination (LoLD) to haul timber and modifications to requirements for hauling a dozer.
- A03855 (Langerholc) – gut-and-replace amendment that narrows scope of bill to exempt municipal trucks from state bonding requirements – except for bridges – and further extends the sunset date to December 31st, 2028 for LoLD (attached to this email).
- Amendment was adopted in Committee unanimously (12-0).
- Senate Bill 145, as amended, was reported from Committee unanimously (12-0).
Senate Bill 1094 (Gebhard) – updates language constituting the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) based on feedback and suggestions received from the MCSAC – with changes including size and composition of membership, definition of “Motor carrier safety”, and changing powers and duties of MCSAC.
- Senate Bill 1094, was reported from Committee unanimously (12-0).
Senate Bill 1186 (Gordner) – increases the fee for the sale of special United States Semiquincentennial registration plates from $50 to $52, and subsequently allocates a portion ($25) to the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.
- Senate Bill 1186, was reported from Committee unanimously (12-0).
The Senate Transportation Committee held a Public Hearing on Monday, April 4, 2022 to collect testimony on House Bill No. 140
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Monday, February 7, 2022 to consider the following bills:
Senate Bill 892 (Laughlin) – Expands eligibility for an e-scooter pilot program adopted in the most recent Fiscal Code to include cities of the Third Class, boroughs and townships that pass an executive order.
- A03663 (Flynn) – Limits the pilot program to include cities of the Second Class A and Third Class, along with technical changes.
- Amendment was adopted in Committee unanimously.
- Senate Bill 892, as amended, was reported from Committee by a vote of 12-2 with Senators Bartolotta and DiSanto voting in the negative.
Senate Bill 925 (Regan) – Updates language regarding violations for driving a vehicle at a safe speed with respect to traffic incidents
- Senate Bill 925 – OVER
Senate Bill 1031 (Phillips-Hill) – makes changes to DUI sentencing to clarify language regarding testing in suspected cases of DUI, specific terms in cases of conviction, provisions for installation of an interlock system, and eligibility for the Commonwealth’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program.
- A03531 (Langerholc) – Removes changes under Section 3807 regarding Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD).
- Amendment adopted in Committee unanimously.
- Senate Bill 1031, as amended, was reported from Committee unanimously.
Senate Bill 1051 (Flynn) – Requires the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) to submit an annual report to the General Assembly with respect to uncollected tolls (i.e. “toll leakage”).
- Several members discussed their general support for the legislation.
- Senate Bill 1031 was reported from Committee unanimously.
Senate Bill 1053 (Flynn) – Authorizes the PTC to accept payments from third-party application providers (i.e. PayPal, Venmo, Zell, Cash App, etc.).
- Senator Brewster noted opposition of the bill from the Teamsters, due to their position that cash collections from toll workers should be reinstated.
- Senator Kearney noted that he was interested in the premise of the bill, especially as it could ultimately offset or eliminate the need for the current Toll By Plate system.
- Senate Bill 1053 was reported from Committee by a vote of 11-3 with Senators Brewster, Kane (Proxy), and L. Williams voting in the negative.
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 to consider the following bills:
Senate Bill 965 (Langerholc) – Allows for the operation of highly automated vehicles that meet a specific, global standard for autonomous capabilities as well as introduces standards relating to equipment, safety, and liability required for testing and deployment of these vehicles.
- Senator Kane made a motion to TABLE the bill, which was defeated by a vote of 8-4 along party lines.
- The bill was amended (A03565 – Langerholc) unanimously.
- The bill was reported from Committee by a vote of 10-2, with Senators Kane and Williams (Lindsey) voting in the negative.
Senate Bill 866 (Pittman) – An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 19231, on that portion of State Route 1014 over the abandoned Conrail Railroad, Green Township, Indiana County, as the Carl E. Keith Memorial Bridge.
- The bill was reported from Committee unanimously.
Senate Bill 891 (Pittman) – An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 41272, on that portion of Pennsylvania Route 286 over Crooked Creek, Rayne Township, Indiana County, as the Sergeant First Class Randy McCaulley Memorial Bridge.
- The bill was reported from Committee unanimously.
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 to consider the following legislation:
S.B. 474 (Brooks): Authorizes legislative district offices to issue temporary disability parking placards directly to individuals.
- The bill was reported out, as amended, by a vote of 9 Y : 5 N (Bartolotta, DiSanto, Gordner, Kane, Vogel)
- Members in favor commended the sponsor for recognizing the benefit the service would provide constituents in need of a temp. dis. Parking placard. in an expedited fashion.
- Members opposed questioned the ability of district staff to perform this service and the burden of storage and distribution.
- A02747 (Langerholc): Changes the effective date from 60 to 90 days.
- The amendment was approved by a vote of 13 Y : 1 N (DiSanto)
S.B. 504 (Stefano): Provides a fee reduction for veterans acquiring a license plate registration.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a vote of 14 Y : 0 N
- Chairman Sabatina shared concern with the current interpretation of the bill by PennDOT and the potential fiscal impact as the bill is currently written to apply to standard passenger, truck and commercial vehicle registrations. He urged the sponsor (Stefano) to consider amendment that would limit the fee exemption and subsequent processing fee of $10 for eligible veterans to merely standard passenger vehicles. Sen. Stefano indicated he would be accepting of such amendment.
The following bridge designation bills were considered as a package vote, agreed to by both Chairs:
- S.B. 922 (Langerholc): Designates the Gerald “Jerry” Confer Memorial Bridge, a fallen PennDOT worker, in Clearfield County.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a unanimous vote of 14 Y : 0 N.
- S.B. 470 (Dush): Designates the CPT Harry “Bud” Hetrick Memorial Bridge in Jefferson County.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a unanimous vote of 14 Y : 0 N.
- S.B. 851 (Pittman): Designates the PVT William L. Hadden Memorial Bridge in Indiana County.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a unanimous vote of 14 Y : 0 N.
- H.B. 636 (Pisciottano): Designates the Scott F. Hirsh Memorial Interchange in Allegheny County.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a unanimous vote of 14 Y : 0 N.
- H.B. 1107 (Wheeland): Designates the Sgts. Thomas Woodruff, Sr., and Hamilton Woodruff Memorial Interchange in Lycoming County.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a unanimous vote of 14 Y : 0 N.
- H.B. 1120 (Topper): Designates the PFC James E. Williams Memorial Bridge in Bedford County.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a unanimous vote of 14 Y : 0 N.
- H.B. 1121 (Topper): Designates the Colonel Joseph M. Stine Memorial Bridge in Bedford County.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a unanimous vote of 14 Y : 0 N.
- H.B. 1304 (Metzgar): Designates the Private First Class Howard Hahn Memorial Bridge in Somerset County.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a unanimous vote of 14 Y : 0 N.
- H.B. 1312 (Topper): Designates the CPL William Glen Imler Memorial Bridge in Bedford County.
- The bill was reported out as committed by a unanimous vote of 14 Y : 0 N.
The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing on Monday, September 27, 2021 on vehicle emissions and electrification:
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 to consider the following bills:
Senate Resolution 172 (Langerholc/Yudichak) Calling on Congress to address the school bus driver shortage.
Moved by Gordner, 2nd by Sabatina, the bill was reported out unanimously
Senate Bill 859 (Langerholc/Sabatina) Changes to Act 159 of 2018 – School Bus Camera operations
Moved by Brewster, 2nd by Vogel, the bill was reported out unanimously.
Senate Bill 474 (Brooks) Providing Handicap Placards in Legislative Offices.
This bill went OVER for the day.
Senate Bill 667 (Yaw) Protecting children from second-hand smoking in vehicles.
Moved by Sabatina, 2nd by Vogel, this bill passed by a vote of 11-3 (Sens. Kearney, Kane and DiSanto opposed).
Senate Bill 827 (J. Ward) An Act to establish an Electronic Weigh Station Bypass.
Moved by Stefano, 2nd by Kearney, this bill was reported out unanimously.
Senate Bill 396 (Bartolotta) designating a bridge Washington County as the Mrs. Madeline Finney Memorial Bridge.
Senate Bill 847 (Mensch) designating the portion of State Route 2004 Montgomery County, as the Dr. Frank Erdman Boston Memorial Highway.
Senate Bill 865 (Langerholc) designating a bridge, Westmoreland County, as the Sergeant Richard Ivory Cullen Memorial Bridge.
Senate Bill 867 (Baker) designating the portion of Pennsylvania Route Wyoming County, to the intersection with State Route 1026 in Dallas Township, Luzerne County, as the Kunkle Firefighter Edward L. Nulton, Sr., Memorial Highway.
Senate Bill 780 (Pittman) designating a bridge Indiana County, as the Sergeant Charles R. Learn Memorial Bridge.
These five bills were all considered as a group. The bills were moved by Sabatina, 2nd by Scavello. They all passed unanimously.
Senate Bill 880 (Scavello) designating a portion of State Route 2014/Washington Street in East Stroudsburg Borough, Monroe County, as the Samuel Newman Way.
This bill was amended (A0235) to make this effective immediately. This was a repeal from last session to create a similar designation with the correct coordinates.
This bill was passed unanimously as amended.
The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 accountability for the loss of $104 million in tolls:
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 and reported out the following bills this morning:
Senate Bill 153 (Langerholc) – Authorizes the weight of electric powered trucks to operate at 82,000 pounds.
Moved by Vogel, 2nd by Scavello – the bill was reported out unanimously.
Senate Bill 777 (Langerholc) – Exempts the five newest model year vehicles from the emissions test. (similar to SB 742 from last session).
Moved by Gordner, 2nd by Scavello, this bill was reported out 8-6. Sabatina, Flynn, Brewster, Kane, Kearney and Tomlinson opposed.
Senate Bill 783 (Langerholc and Costa) – Creates a two-year e-scooter pilot program in the City of Pittsburgh.
Amendment A01943 – definition changes & provides an insurance provision
Moved by Sabatina, 2nd by Stefano – the bill was reported out unanimously as amended
Senate Bill 759 (Pittman) – Designates the Specialist Five Timothy Rice Memorial Bridge in Indiana County.
Moved by Scavello, 2nd by Vogel – the bill was reported out unanimously as amended
House Bill 925 (Borowicz) – Designates Bridge Key 12275, Clinton County, as the Petty Officer Stephen “Turbo” Toboz, Jr., Bridge.
Moved by Sabatina, 2nd by Kane – the bill was reported out unanimously
House Bill 1390 (Saylor) – Designates Bridge Key 37590, carrying Pennsylvania Route 425 over Fishing Creek, York County, as the PFC James Joseph Criswell Memorial Bridge.
Moved by Sabatina, 2nd by Kane, the bill was reported out unanimously.
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 and reported out the following bills this morning
Senate Bill 736 (Langerholc): Amends Title 75 (registration plates) to allow for Home Delivery of agricultural products.
This bill is reported out unanimously 13-0
Senate Bill 737 (Langerholc): Allows for a repeal in the PA Municipalities Planning Code to exempt the PA Turnpike Commission from certain environmental regulations.
This bill was reported out 11-2, Senator Kane and Kearney opposed.
Senate Bill 242 (Pittman): Reduces the PA State Police’s annual payments under the Motor License Fund.
This bill is reported out unanimously 13-0
Senate Bill 725 (Bartolotta): Creates an exemption under Title 75 to allow farmers to operate equipment with a general Class C driver’s license.
This bill is reported out unanimously 13-0
House Bill 765 (B. Miller): An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in powers of department and local authorities, further providing for specific powers of department and local authorities.
This bill is reported out unanimously 13-0
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 and considered the following bills:
Senate Bill 419 (Scavello) – Radar for Local Law Enforcement (this was Senate Bill 607 last session)
The bill was reported out unanimously.
Senate Bill 615 (Hutchinson) – Municipal Relief from Duplicative Special Event Requirements
This bill was reported out unanimously as amended (Amendment A0 1006 )
Senate Bill 532 (Stefano) – U.S. Route 219 over State Route 601 in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, as the Corporal Anthony G. Orlandi Memorial Bridge.
This bill was reported out unanimously.
House Bill 125 (Mizgorski) – State Route 4017 on Wetzel Road, Shaler Township, Allegheny County, as the Commander William J. Schofield, III, Memorial Bridgehe
This bill was reported out unanimously.
The Senate Transportation Committee met on Monday, May 24, 2021 and reported out the following bills:
House Bill 832 (Boback) – An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 37135, located on Pennsylvania Route 92 over the Susquehanna River, Falls Township, Wyoming County, as the Falls Veterans Memorial Bridge.
House Bill 1101 (Warner) – An Act designating a portion of Pennsylvania Route 981 from the intersection with Pennsylvania Route 819 to the intersection with State Route 2021 in Mount Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County, as the Honorable Mike Reese Memorial Highway.
Both bills were reported out unanimously.
The Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 and reported out the following bills :
The Senate Transportation Committee reported out the following bills today:
Senate Bill 283 (Hutchinson): Amends the State Highway Law to require PennDOT to maintain all surface and subsurface drainage facilities connected with the State highways within boroughs and incorporated towns with populations equal to or less than 2,500 people. This was Senate Bill 101 last session.
The bill was reported out 11-2, Senators Brewster and Sabatina opposed
Senate Bill 445 (Mensch): Provides individuals with an option to donate to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition while renewing their vehicle registration or driver’s license on PennDOT’s website.
- Amendment No. 692 (Langerholc): Provides technical changes and extends the effective date to 120 days.
The bill was reported out unanimously as amended.
Senate Resolution 53 (Baker): Directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct and issue a report on the effectiveness of PennDOT’s highway maintenance statutory formula.
- Amendment A0750 was adopted, making a technical change. The Resolution was reported out unanimously as adopted.
House Bill 26 (Borowicz): Designates a bridge on State Route 1010 in Pine Creek Township, Clinton County, as the Tech. Corporate Lee R. Philips Memorial bridge.
The Bill was reported out unanimously.
House Bill 56 (Struzzi): Designates a bridge on State Route 271 in Northern Cambria Borough, Cambria County, as the Sergeant William Stock Memorial Bridge.
The Bill was reported out unanimously.
House Bill 124 (Rigby): Designates a bridge on State Route 3055 in the City of Johnstown, Cambria County, as the City of Johnstown Firefighters Memorial Bridge.
- Amendment A0711 (Langerholc): Includes any subsequent fallen firefighter from the City of Johnstown’s Fire Department.
The bill was reported out unanimously as amended.
The Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 to consider the following bills:
Senate Bill 89 (Pittman): Repeals the Balanced Multimodal Transportation Policy Commission.
Bartolotta moved, Scavello 2nds, the bill is reported unanimously.
Senate Bill 114 (Boscola): Increases a driver’s responsibility to remove snow and ice from a vehicle. (Was SB 114 last session)
Scavello moved, Vogel 2nds, the bill is reported out unanimously.
Senate Bill 282 (Langerholc): Designates the Sgt. Harry Lewis Amigh Memorial Bridge carrying State Route 3039 in Jackson Township, Cambria County.
Scavello moved, Bartolotta 2nds, the bill is reported out unanimously.
Senate Bill 382 (Langerholc): Reforms the Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3) statute.
Bartolotta moved, Gordner 2nds, the bill is reported out by a 9-4 vote. Senators Sabatina, Brewster, Kane and Kearney opposed.
Senate Bill 410 – Bill Information Details (pasenate.com) (K. Ward): An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, further providing for display of registration plate. (Was SB 954 last session)
Scavello moved, Vogel 2nd. The bill is reported out 11-2. Senators Kane and Kearney opposed.
House Bill 186 (Causer): Exempts milk haulers from travel restrictions on highways during the Governor’s declaration of disaster emergency (Was HB 915 last session)
Scavello moved, Vogel 2nd. The bill is reported out by a 9-4 vote. Senators Sabatina, Brewster, Kane and Kearney opposed.
The Transportation Committee met on Monday, February 22, 2021 to considered the following bills:
Senate Bill 120 (Tomlinson): Provides an alternative to haul a dozer, with or without an attached blade.
Moved by DiSanto, 2nd by Scavello. The bill is reported out unanimously.
Senate Bill 70 (Langerholc): Designates a bridge carrying State Route 1008 in East Carroll Township, Cambria County, as the Kenneth John Ivory Memorial Bridge.
Amendment No. 263 (Langerholc): Adds the bridge key, as requested by PennDOT.
Moved by Sabatina, 2nd by Scavello, the bill is reported unanimously as amended
House Bill 11 (Kaufer): Designates a portion of Pennsylvania Route 92 in Exeter Township, Luzerne County, as the Robert F. Kile, Sr., Memorial bridge.
Moved by Kearney, 2nd by Sabatina, the bill is reported out unanimously.
House Bill 12 (Kaufer) Designates State Route 1021 over the Susquehanna River in Wyoming Borough, Luzerne County, as the George J. Dennis, Jr., Memorial Bridge.
Moved by Kearney, 2nd by Sabatina, the bill is reported out unanimously.
House Bill 16 (Dowling): Designates a bridge on U.S. 219 in Summit Township, Somerset County, as the SP4 Michael William Twigg Memorial bridge.
Moved by Kearney, 2nd by Sabatina, the bill is reported out unanimously.
The Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 to considered the following bills:
Senate Bill 49 (Langerholc) − An Act designating the bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8659, City of Johnstown, Cambria County, as the Reverend Andrew William Tilly, Jr., Bridge.
Bill moved by Chairman Sabatina, 2nd by Sen. Scavello. The bill passed unanimously.
Senate Bill 55 (Langerholc) − An Act designating the bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8365 in Croyle Township, Cambria County, as the Private Fredrick Kinley Memorial Bridge.
Bill moved by Sen. Scavello, 2nd by Chairman Sabatina. The bill passed unanimously.
Senate Bill 120 was on the agenda but went over for the day.
The Senate Transportation Committee on Monday, January 25, 2021:
Senator Marty Flynn
Committee Chair