This bill establishes Pennsylvania's capital budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, setting specific spending limits on public infrastructure projects. It authorizes up to $1.2 billion for building and structure improvements, $20 million for furniture and equipment, $100 million for transportation assistance, and $325 million for redevelopment assistance, with no funding allocated for flood control projects. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for managing these capital projects and requires repayment of any debt incurred through the General Fund or applicable special funds. It takes effect immediately upon introduction.
This bill prohibits transportation network companies, such as ride-sharing services, from using specific data from a passenger's phone to calculate fares. It bans charging higher prices based on the device's hardware state, like battery life or age, and forbids using geolocation data to set prices unless the variation reflects legitimate differences in travel costs, taxes, or real-time demand. The law also prevents companies from raising fares simply because a user has certain software installed or because their device is in a specific mode. These rules aim to ensure that ride prices are determined by the trip itself rather than the characteristics of the passenger's equipment.
HB 2219 prohibits the use of devices that obscure or alter license plates on vehicles, including manual or electronic "flipping" devices and tinted covers. It specifically bans devices designed to hide plates from view, switch between plates, or interfere with traffic enforcement systems like red light cameras and electronic toll systems. Violating this law carries a $2,000 fine for possession, operation, or distribution of such devices. The bill directly affects drivers who use these devices to avoid traffic enforcement or tolls, and it prevents double-charging for the same offense under related vehicle registration laws. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1967 proposes adding Allegheny River Boulevard to Pennsylvania's official scenic byways system under transportation law. This designation would officially recognize the corridor for its natural and cultural scenery, primarily affecting communities along the route and tourism-related businesses. The bill's key mechanism is a simple update to state transportation statutes to include this specific roadway in the existing scenic byway program, without creating new funding or regulatory requirements. The designation aims to promote tourism and preservation efforts for the area.
This bill allocates $2,037,000 from the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund to the Philadelphia Parking Authority for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The funding is intended to support the operations of the Parking Authority during this period. The money comes from a specific fund that collects regulatory fees from taxis and limousines operating in Philadelphia. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, or immediately if that date has already passed.
This bill proposes to update Pennsylvania's vehicle laws by establishing a maximum speed limit of 35 miles per hour on dirt and gravel roads. It applies to all drivers operating vehicles on these unpaved road surfaces, regardless of the specific location. The change clarifies that these limits are maximum speeds, meaning drivers must not exceed them unless a special hazard requires an even slower speed for safety. The legislation would become effective 60 days after passage.
HB 1970 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to update definitions and clarify requirements for driver's licenses. The bill specifies what information must appear on licenses (such as photo and personal details) and mandates that drivers carry their license at all times, presenting it to law enforcement upon request. It directly affects all licensed drivers in Pennsylvania by standardizing license content and enforcement procedures. The changes aim to improve clarity for both drivers and law enforcement regarding license presentation.
HB 1191 strengthens railroad safety in Pennsylvania by prohibiting railroads from blocking highway crossings for more than five minutes (with $10,000 penalties), limiting freight train lengths to 8,500 feet, and requiring two-person crews for freight trains (with limited exceptions for smaller railroads). The bill authorizes union representatives to monitor safety practices and operations, mandates functional wayside detector systems on higher-risk tracks, and creates a reporting system for hazardous materials transportation. It directly affects all railroads operating in Pennsylvania, including their safety protocols, staffing, and infrastructure maintenance. Penalties for violations range from $1,000 to $25,000 for crew-related breaches, with enforcement handled by the Public Utility Commission.
HB 416 establishes a new Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program to support early childhood educators and creates a Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access in underserved areas. It also streamlines permit processes for economic development projects through the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program. These provisions are integrated into the 2025 state budget implementation, alongside administrative updates to tax collection procedures, state fund management, and reporting requirements for agencies like the Department of Revenue and Treasury. The bill does not alter existing tax rates or create new funding streams but modifies how current state financial systems operate.
HB 1874 amends Pennsylvania's Transit Revitalization Investment District Act to expand how cities can use tax revenue generated from new development in designated transit areas. It allows redevelopment authorities to apply "incremental tax revenue" (taxes raised from new property values due to transit improvements) toward funding transit projects or infrastructure within those districts. This directly affects cities with transit revitalization districts and developers working in areas near new transit investments. The bill provides clearer rules for directing these tax increases toward transit-focused redevelopment, rather than general city funds.
