HB 2426 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of March 29, 1803 (P.L.542, No.156), entitled "An act to establish a Board of Wardens for the port of Philadelphia, and for the regulation of pilots and pilotages, and for other purposes therein mentioned," further providing for pilots in the Delaware Bay and River.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's 1803 laws to regulate commercial pilots operating in the Delaware Bay and River. It requires individuals wishing to work as pilots to apply for a license from the Navigation Commission, which will evaluate their skills and issue permits based on the size of vessels they can safely navigate. The legislation establishes a six-tiered licensing system where each class corresponds to a specific maximum draft of vessels, ranging from deep-draft ships to smaller boats. Anyone attempting to pilot a vessel larger than one hundred tons without a valid license faces civil penalties and potential jail time. These rules will become effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Jul 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
Jul 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Apr 18, 2026 Signed Jul 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN3227 Printer's No. PN3281 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill text was updated from Printer's Number 3227 to 3281, reflecting amendments made by the House of Representatives. The most significant policy change is in the effective date: the bill now takes effect immediately rather than waiting 60 days. Additionally, the list of sponsors was updated to include a new sponsor, Kenyatta, and the committee referral status was changed to indicate the bill has been reported out of committee.
Scope change
The bill's applicability timeline changed from a delayed effective date to an immediate effective date.
TIMELINE

The effective date of the bill changed from 60 days after passage to immediate effect.

TECHNICAL

A new sponsor, Kenyatta, was added to the list of bill sponsors.

The committee status was updated to show the bill was reported from the Commerce Committee on April 27, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Jul 10, 2026 · House May 6, 2026

How they voted

220
Passed
Total votes 22
Jul 10, 2026
D Democratic8
8 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican14
14 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Jul 20, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor
upper
Jul 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Jul 10, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (22-0)
senate
Jul 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
Jun 30, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
Jun 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
May 20, 2026
Committee
Referred to Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
upper
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
May 5, 2026
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
Apr 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Apr 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Commerce
lower
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors

Sponsors