April 13, 2026 · TRANSPORTATION · 1,374 words · 5 speakers · 28 segments
Thank you. Thank you.
What are we being invaded by insurance around here?
Thank you. Thank you No, I was told I have to bang the gavel harder because no one's listening. All right. I'm going to bang. All right. So I was told that I have to bang the gavel in and out. So, good morning, everybody. I call the meeting of the House Transportation Committee to order. This meeting is being broadcasted and recorded for all the members' information. For the information of the members, we are trying something new today. Instead of distributing physical committee packets for everyone, we have distributed QR codes, which are available at the front table as well as back here for all committee members. If you scan the QR code with your phone or device, the committee packet will appear on your screen. Other committees have been successfully doing this. If you have any questions, please talk to Kyle. This was Kyle's idea. If you don't like it, mine if you do. How was that? All right. We also have some housekeeping to do. We have a new member today, Jen Masako. and Jen if you can please introduce yourself and let everybody know where you're from because I already know you're from that western part of the state but I will let them know that you are a
Phillies fan and Eagles fan so you don't have to get into all that okay well my name is Jen Mazzocco I am newly elected in the 42nd district in Allegheny County which is the South Hills just south of Pittsburgh and I was recently a high school English teacher my job before and And, yes, the Phillies are cool. And the Eagles are cool. No, I appreciate the eastern side of the state, but I am.
Oh, we know where you are. You've got black and gold all over you. Listen, the Pirates are doing well right now, so we just have to enjoy that while we can. It's preseason kind of still for them, you know. And they always do good in the beginning. And just like the rest, some of our Pennsylvania teams, they like to let us down at the end.
Yeah, exactly.
Some earlier than others. but you know I know the Pirates will play the Phillies one time this year and then that's when they all step up and after that they fall apart and then we start picking up your players and training them again alright so with that House Bill oh Evan please take roll call
Chairman Nielsen Bellman Curry Guzman Hohenstein Isaacson Designation Madsen Mazzacco McAndrew Mullins O'Mara Powell Sappy Schusterman Chairman Benninghoff Bernstein Designation Devonzo I sorry I didn hear you sir Devonzo Designation Flood Ham Designation Labs Designation I think she online here if I see correctly Brynkavage. Designation. Shuren. Here. Schaefer. Designation. Smith. Here. Stambaugh. Designation. Tomlinson. Online. Present. Here.
Thank you. Thank you. We have a quorum. For the information and members, we'll be going over House Bill 1723 today. The administration has expressed some concerns. We hope to address those concerns before revisiting the bill. The chair now calls up House Bill 1830, printers number 2974, introduced by Representative Christina Sappy. I can read, right? Look at this. Everybody hears your whisper. All right. A sec. Okay. The J.R. calls out Pass Bill 2274, printers number 2974, introduced by Christina Sapp, Representative Christina Sappy. Kyle, can you please give us a summary of the bill?
House Bill 2274 by Representative Christina Sappy. This bill sets a default speed limit of 35 miles per hour on dirt and gravel roads throughout the Commonwealth. Currently, many dirt and gravel roads have a default speed limit of 55 miles per hour because they are unposted. And there is one amendment filed to the bill. The question is, would the committee report the bill?
I offer Amendment A-02879. Kyle, can you please give us a summary of the amendment?
Amendment A-02879 by Chairman Nielsen. This amendment clarifies the signage requirements for the posting of speed limits on dirt and gravel roads. The amendment is agreed to by the prime sponsor.
I recognize Representative Sapp. Please speak on the amendment.
Thank you so much. This is very straightforward as amended. and will increase safety not only for drivers but for property and others, livestock and human beings on either side of the road. So I appreciate the work of the committee.
Thank you, Rep. Sappy. Are there any other comments or questions about Amendment A-02879?
Chairman Benninghoff. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate you and the maker of the bill agreeing to this. There are some who raised the issue whether or not no signage would be confusing to what the speed actually would be, and I think this at least pronounces what the speed will now be reduced to and therefore make them a little more accountable. Keeping in mind on the dirt and gravel roads, we have bikers, hikers, four-wheelers, and all kinds of other types of things that we need to be mindful of that, and I think putting these at the front and the end of these roadways is probably smart. Thank you.
Thank you, Chairman. We've been joined by Representative Stamball and Representative Schusterbin in person. Are there any other questions or comments on Amendment A-02879? Seeing none Are there any negative votes on Amendment A Seeing none are there any negative votes on Amendment A Seeing none A has been adopted The question is, will the committee report the bill as amendment? I ask the amendment, the members all to support the bill as amendment. I recognize, again, the prime sponsor to speak on her bill. She would like to. You don't have to. She waves off. Are there any negative votes on House Bill 2274 as amended? Seeing none, House Bill 2274 will be reported as committed to the committee. Congratulations, Rep. We are now on a House, the Chair calls up House Resolution 410, printers number 2824, introduced by Representative Rob Matzzi. Kyle, can you please give us a summary of the resolution?
House Resolution 410 by Representative Robert Matzee. This is a resolution recognizing May 9, 2026, as National Train Day in Pennsylvania, and there are no amendments filed to the resolution.
Question is, will the committee support the resolution, report the resolution? Since 1869, the development of rail travel has revolutionized Pennsylvania, transporting this great commonwealth into industrial powerhouse in the region and the nation. Rail travel is an essential part of our transportation infrastructure, are helping to reduce congestion on the roads, in the skies, and connecting cities and rural communities by providing more environmentally friendly mode of transportation that contributes to our energy security. I ask the members to support the resolution. Are there any questions or comments on House Resolution 410?
And we will not be – can't we do a model train one?
We can do that for you, Josiah.
No? All right.
Are there any negative votes on House Resolution 410? Seeing none, House Resolution 410 will be reported as committed. We will now proceed to any other business before the committee. The chair calls up House Resolution 477, printers number 3164, introduced by Representative Joe McAndrew. Kyle, can you please give us a summary of the resolution?
House Resolution 477 by Representative Joe McAndrew. This is a resolution designating the month of May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. There are no amendments filed to the resolution.
I ask the members to support the resolution. The question is, will the committee report the resolution? Are there any questions or comments on House Resolution 477? Are there any negative votes on House Resolution 477? Seeing none, House Resolution 477 will be reported as committed. There are no further votes in today's meeting. This meeting I have to bang again, right, because Kyle said I got new rules. I'm not being loud enough, they told me. Imagine that. No, I'm not going to say that word.
I have difficulty hearing you, Chairman. That's because you mute me, Joe.
The meeting is now adjourned. Thank you, everybody. Have a wonderful week.
Thank you.