March 23, 2026 · TRANSPORTATION · 4,052 words · 13 speakers · 61 segments
Thank you. We're going. We're rolling. Good morning, everybody. I call the meeting of the House Transportation Committee to order. This meeting is being broadcast and recorded. Evan, can you please take roll?
Chairman Benninghoff. Here.
Bernstein. Designation.
Tavonzo. Designation.
Flood.
Ham. Designation.
Labs. Online.
My apologies. Representative Ham is online with us. Okay.
Labs.
Representative Labs online with us.
Ringcavage. Designation.
Schurin. Designation.
Schaefer.
Smith. Here.
Stambaugh. Here.
Tomlinson. Online.
Designation, my apologies. We have a quorum. The chair calls up House Bill 1700, printers number 2078, introduced by Representative Brandon Markozik. Kyle, can you please give us a summary of the bill?
House Bill 1700 by Representative Brandon Markozyk. This bill authorizes PennDOT to include an optional communication impairment designation on the driver's license or ID card and electronic record of any individual with a communication impairment upon application. A communication impairment is a health condition that may impede communication between the individual and a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop, including deafness or being hard of hearing, an autism spectrum disorder, a diagnosed speech impediment, or any other condition that PennDOT determines. To receive the designation, an individual must submit an application, including a sworn statement from a qualified medical professional, a certification that the individual is voluntarily disclosing their condition to PennDOT and law enforcement, updated emergency contact information, and acknowledgement that the application is true and correct. An individual may request removal of the designation at any time. A fee may not be imposed for the addition or removal of the designation. PennDOT must use the stylized lowercase i, commonly used by the Invisible Disabilities Association, as the sole identifier symbol to indicate a communication impairment. The printed designation must not imply or disclose any specific health conditions or details related to the impairment. And there is one amendment filed to the bill.
The question is, will the committee report the bill? I offer Amendment A02507. Kyle, can you please give us a summary of the amendment?
Amendment A02507 by Chairman Nielsen. This amendment replaces the term communication impairment with communication barrier, allows PennDOT to use an alternative identifier symbol if a national standard is adopted, makes the effective date 42 months, and makes other technical changes. This amendment was requested by PennDOT and is agreed to by the prime sponsor.
I asked the members to support this amendment. Are there any questions or comments on amendment A02507? Seeing none, a vote will now be taken. All those in favor? Opposed? Seeing none, the amendment will be adopted. The question reoccur is the committee report the bill as amendment. I asked the members to support the bill as amendment. This bill is intended to help make interactions easier between police officers and drivers with medical conditions that affect their ability to communicate. When police interact with the driver, it is not communicating clearly. It is not always apparent that the officer that it's due to a medical condition. This lack of clear communication can often create stress for both police officer and the driver which can sometimes have deadly consequences. This is an issue that Rep. Markosik and I have been working on since last session. Originally there's some logistical challenges with PennDOT and adding the designation but we're finally able to reach an agreement with PennDOT this year to advance this legislation. I thank them all for their hard work. Rep Markosic and I have also been working with advocates and local police departments to set up blue envelope programs which allow drivers to communication barriers to put their documents in a blue envelope with clear instructions on how to interact with police officers to make these interactions easier. At least 32 other states have enacted similar legislation. Last week the Senate also advanced similar legislation with unanimous support. I'm hopeful that we can get this to the Governor's desk as soon as possible. Are there any other comments on House Bill 1700? Chairman Benninghoff.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to say I do support this. Somebody who worked in the medical profession in the past, it is sometimes challenging when people are either unconscious. We do have instances where some people are nonverbal, and I think this would be a good tool for both law enforcement and EMS to have that identifier, and I support the bill. Thank you, Chairman.
Rep. Hohenstein.
Thank you, Chair Nielsen and Chair Benninghoff. And I very much appreciate Chair Markosik bringing this bill forward along with you, Chair. As many of you know, I work a lot with the deaf community, and I sought the opinion of Neil McDevitt, who is the only deaf mayor in the United States. He is the mayor of North Wales, Pennsylvania. and he provided some perspective to me from the deaf community that I've shared with the chair and I will be sharing it as well with PennDOT about training, about making certain that the medical examinations that are required do not become economically burdensome on the community and also making certain that it does reach its desired purpose, which is to make sure that people who have communication difficulties are able to effectively communicate with the police when they need to. So thank you again, Chair Nielsen, for bringing this forward, and I appreciate you all.
Any other comments on 1700? Seeing none, the vote will now be taken. Those in favor of reporting a bill as amended will vote yes. Those opposed no. Are there any negative votes on House Bill 1700 as amended? Seeing none, House Bill 1700 will be reported as amended. The chair calls up House Bill 1830, printers number 2255, introduced by Representative Robert Freeman. Jess, can you please give us a summary of the bill?
House Bill 1830 offered by Representative Freeman authorizes emergency roadside service vehicles to use flashing or revolving blue lights while assisting or servicing a disabled vehicle An emergency roadside service vehicle is defined as a vehicle used to assist or service a disabled vehicle in any of the following activities, excluding transport of the disabled vehicle. Tire change, lockout assistance, fuel delivery, battery jumpstart, vehicle extraction, or minor mechanical servicing at or near the vicinity of the disabled vehicle. The blue lights can only be operated while the vehicle is stationary on the side of the road and responding to a disabled vehicle. The blue lights cannot be used while the vehicle is in motion. A violation is a summary offense with a $50 fine. Blue lights do not grant any special privileges and are meant to make a vehicle more noticeable on the road. The bill is supported by AAA, and there is no known opposition. The question is, will the committee report the bill?
I offer Amendment A-02688. Jess, can you please give a summary of the amendment?
Amendment A-02688, offered by Chairman Nielsen, clarifies the definition of emergency roadside service vehicle and makes other technical corrections. This amendment was requested by the state police and is agreed to by the prime sponsor and AAA.
Are there any comments or questions on Amendment A-02688? Seeing none, the vote will now be taken. Those in favor of adopting Amendment A-02688? All those in favor? Those opposed? Amendment A-02688 is amended. Okay. We're now on the question. The question recurs. The question recurs. The committee report the bill as amendment. I ask the members to support the bill as amendment. We're joined today by the prime sponsor, and I invite Representative Friedman to come to the microphone and speak on his bill. Representative Friedman, please.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank Chairman Nielsen, Chairman Benioff, members of the committee for bringing House Bill 1830 up for consideration today before the committee. This is a very important safety measure that is being offered to make sure that those who are in light-duty roadside assistance vehicles attending to a disabled vehicle have the kind of protection we already afford to tow trucks. It's very critical because a lot of roadside workers are at high risk for injury or death. There have been deaths as a result of not having the proper warning light to alert motorists that they are there to take care of a disabled vehicle. You've heard the provisions that have been used for a disabled vehicle and what is meant by a roadside assistance vehicle. I want to thank the state police and AAA for adding language in that amendment, which was acceptable to all parties, and also Mr. Weggenseller for his fine work in navigating that drafting. But I think this is a good measure. It will save lives. It will save us from risks. And I thank the chairman for his willingness to bring this up.
Well, thank you, chairman, for bringing it up to us. We appreciate your hard work on this because we've all dried the highways across the Commonwealth. And at times, it's not always a tow truck that's there. I mean anybody who's been on the turnpike knows it's roadside assistance. Those vehicles, they're pickup trucks, and they don't have the lights that we see, so we don't really recognize them.
That's correct.
And slowing people down is the hardest thing we do here on this committee.
Absolutely.
It's something that we strive to, and this saves a life. It's well worth doing it, and I appreciate your hard work.
Thank you.
Are there any other comments or questions on 1830 as amended? Seeing none. Are there any negative votes on 1830 as amended? seen on 1830 will be reported from the committee as amended.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, members. So before we start doing the hard work, the – so we let no affliction go unrecognized, and we always like to welcome people here. and we have a couple Nolans that we have to welcome here today. Yeah, we have Nolan Ritchie over here from the Senate, the Majority Senator Ward's office is here to make sure that our teams are all working together. But we have some new guy in the back with PennDOT. This is his first meeting. Please come to the microphone. Introduce yourself. I will not do that to you, Nolan. See that? Not this time, but be prepared, okay? You've got to study. You've got to study a little bit, you know? We just try, and Justin was shaking his head, no, don't do this up in front. So he saved you. Now you owe Justin, not me. All right. Yeah, and remind you, get your singing voice known and ready, because you're going to be singing the national anthem at next meeting. We appreciate you stepping up and taking that role. So the chair calls up House Bill 1970, printers number 2486, introduced by myself. Kyle, can you please give us a summary of the bill?
House Bill 1970. House Bill 1970 authorizes PennDOT to issue electronic driver's licenses and identification cards and provides for the use of these electronic products. And there is one comprehensive amendment filed to the bill.
Thank you, Kyle. The question is, will the committee report the bill? I offer Amendment A-02695. Kyle, can you please give us a summary of the amendment?
This amendment A-02695 by Chairman Nielsen is a comprehensive amendment that makes multiple changes throughout the bill. with the amendment. PennDOT is authorized to issue electronic driver's licenses and ID cards and provides for the use of these electronic products. An electronic product is optional and would be in addition to your physical product. You are still required to be issued a physical product. The intent of this bill is to allow PennDOT to contract with a third party to deploy an electronic product using third-party apps, such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or another third-party app. An electronic product is not just a photo of your driver's license or ID displayed on your phone. It will instead generate a secure code that is scanned by the person on the other side of the counter to view the necessary information being requested with the user's consent. Electronic products will be subject to strict security, privacy, and verification requirements and must comply with national and international standards. Under the amendment, a physical product will still be required for traffic stops and when transferring ownership of a vehicle. The electronic product will be identical to your physical product. So if you have a physical product that complies with Real ID, then your electronic product will also comply with Real ID. It will be up to each individual business, retailer, or agency, or other entity to decide whether or not to accept an electronic product. PennDOT may only issue one type of electronic product to an individual. The electronic product must match PennDOT's records at the time of issuance. PennDOT may issue electronic products through a third party. The third party must limit collection of personal data to only data that is adequate, relevant, and necessary for the operation of the electronic product. Must disclose all data collection to an electronic product user. Must permit an electronic product user to opt out of any data collection. Must treat all collected personal data as personal information under the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act. must report to the electronic product user upon request all uses of personal data collected must not access or centrally store information regarding the electronic product and may access and centrally store only the minimum necessary information for the minimum necessary duration of time to enable the product use Any contract or agreement between PennDOT and a third party for the procurement, licensing, access, or use of software or information technology is subject to existing requirements. PennDOT must create a verification process for these products consistent with national and international standards. A user must decide which data fields are available to the verifier via the device. All data must be subject to all jurisdictional data security and privacy protection laws and regulations. PennDOT must issue an annual report to the General Assembly regarding the issuance of electronic products. the exhibition of an electronic price of an electronic product by a licensee does not serve as consent for a police officer to search or access any other data or application on the device pendot must issue educational materials describing the purpose of an electronic product how it works and how to apply for it and any other information as necessary thank you kyle this amendment is a
result of two years of negotiations between PennDOT, State Police, various stakeholders all across the country. This amendment helps strengthen the privacy, security, and verification requirements of the electronic products in the bill. With this amendment, Pennsylvania's can be confident, Pennsylvania's can be confident that these electronic products will be private and secure and accurate while being consistent with other states that are doing this already. I ask everybody to support the amendment. Are there any other comments or questions on Amendment A-02695? I recognize Chairman Benninghoff.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to let the record reflect that Representative Hamm would like to be a no on the amendment. Thank you, Chairman.
Any other comments or questions on the amendment? Seeing none. Any negative votes besides Representative Hamm? Seeing none. Amendment A-02695 is adopted. The vote will now be taken. Those in favor of adopting, the question is, will the committee report the bill as amended? I asked the members to support the bill. In 2011, only 35% of Americans owned a smartphone. Today, that number has skyrocketed to 91%, and smartphones have become the fundamental part of everybody's life. Technology is changing and more Pennsylvania is one convenience and security. The option to go on paperless by electronic driver's licenses and ID cards. The way we crafted this legislation, it will be TSA compliant. You'll be able to use it as you go through the airports. And with everything going on with our airports today, we can see those long lines. This will hopefully get us through faster. I ask everybody to support the bill. Are there any comments or questions on House Bill 1970 as amended? Chairman Benninghoff.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let the record reflect. Representative Hamm would like to be a no on House Bill 1970 as amended. Thank you.
So record it. Any other questions or comments? Any other negative votes on House Bill 1970 as amended? Seeing on 1970, House Bill 1970 will be reported as amended. Next, the chair calls up House Bill 2210, printers number 2904, introduced by Representative Manuel Guzman. Kyle, can you please give us a description of the bill?
House Bill 2210 by Representative Manuel Guzman. This bill authorizes PennDOT to issue electronic vehicle registration cards. This bill does not require registrants to carry an electronic registration card. It simply gives them the option if they so choose. Under current law, when applying online, PennDOT does not issue a physical registration card. Instead, registrants applying online must print their own registration card, sign it, and always keep it in the vehicle. This bill gives them the ability to use an electronic vehicle registration card. An electronic registration card is an electronic representation of a physical registration card, including a digital photograph, that is viewable on an electronic device. Any requirement to surrender a registration card to a police officer does not apply to a device. If an individual chooses to surrender a device to a police officer, the officer may review the electronic registration card. Any inadvertently seen information may not be used as evidence in a civil or criminal trial. And there is one amendment filed to the bill.
Question is, will the committee report the bill? I offer Amendment A-02685. Kyle, please give us a summary of that amendment.
Amendment A-02685 by Chairman Nielsen. This amendment provides for privacy of information on electronic devices and makes other technical changes. This amendment was requested by PennDOT and the state police and is agreed to by the prime sponsor.
I asked the members to support the amendment. Are there any comments or questions on Amendment A-02685? The vote will now be taken. Those in favor of adopting the amendment will vote yes. Those opposed, no. Let the record reflect that Representative Hamm is a no on this amendment. Are there any more negative votes on Amendment A-02685? Seeing on Amendment A-2685 is adopted. The question requires, will the committee report the bill as amendment? I ask the members to support the bill as amended. I will highlight that the current law already allows electronic insurance cards, and this bill simply does the same for registration. I recognize the prime sponsor, Representative Manny Guzman, to speak on his legislation.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for using my full government name. I appreciate that. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, in an increasing paperless world, House Bill 2210 is a bold and practical step forward for Pennsylvania. It modernizes how residents carry and present their vehicle registration, allowing electronic registration cards on smartphones and other personal devices. This brings our system into the 21st century, making it safer, more convenient, and fully aligned with how people live and drive today. Electronic vehicle, excuse me, electronic registration cards are legally equivalent to paper cards, and drivers can present them anytime their vehicle is in use. The amendment that was just passed, supported by PennDOT and the state police, strengthens this bill by protecting privacy officers may only view the registration card and must return the device immediately, offering liability protection for those officers in case of accidental damage and or inadvertent viewing of other data, ensuring flexibility that drivers are not required to surrender their device, and aligns with existing electronic ID laws for clarity and consistency. This bill and amendment modernizes Pennsylvania systems while protecting citizens and law enforcement. It's a common sense, modern solution that benefits everyone. I strongly urge the committee to support HB 2210. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Representative. Appreciate your explanation and the whys. There's a question that brought up about cost, if there's any kind of cost to the consumer on this.
There is not currently. Currently, you do receive your owner's card electronically. If you renew your owner's card online at your home, you renew it online, print it out, and it's right there. So there is no extra cost. This just allows you to show that PDF to an officer if you're getting pulled over.
The question is if because you really don't want to be that person. I don't want to throw Kyle under a bus or nothing, but Kyle is that person. He needs that electronically because he keeps losing his card. House Bill 210 as amended. Are there any negative votes besides Representative Ham? Seeing none, House Bill 2210 will be reported as amended. Chair now calls up House Resolution 423 printers number 2959 introduced by Rep Brandon Markosik Jess can you please give us a summary of the resolution House Resolution 423 offered by Representative Markosik
recognizes the week of April 20th through 24th, 2026, as National Work Zone Awareness Week in Pennsylvania.
I ask the members to support the resolution. As we enter the spring season, there will be more workers on our roadways. Sadly, 93 PennDOT employees have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1970. We ask that all drivers pay attention to the road and slow down in work zones so these workers can work safely and get home safely to their families. Are there any other questions or comments on House Resolution 423? Seeing none, any negative votes on House Resolution 423? Seeing none, House Resolution 423 will be reported as amended. or report it from committee excuse me chair now calls up house resolution 439 printers number 3013 introduced by myself jess can you please give us a summary of the resolution
house resolution 439 offered by chairman nielsen designates the month of april 2026 as distracted driving awareness month in pennsylvania the question is will the committee
to report the resolution. I asked the members to support the resolution. Last session, after 12 years of advocacy, the General Assembly finally enacted Paul Miller's law to crack down on distracted driving so that drivers put their cell phone down and keep their eyes on the road. So far under the law, police officers have only been issuing written warnings to drivers caught using a handheld device while driving. However, starting June 6, 2026, police officers will now start issuing violations and fines for drivers in violation. This is a reminder to put the cell phone down while driving. Many of you know Paul Miller Jr. was tragically killed in a crash with a distracted driver in 2010. I recently had the opportunity to meet with Paul Miller's mother, Eileen, at Division Zero Conference in Philadelphia. We cannot thank her enough for her tireless advocacy to get this done so that no parent has to experience what she experienced. I ask all the members to support the resolution. Are there any other comments or questions on House Resolution 439? Chairman Benninghoff.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's interesting. I was just hosting a conference, not conference, a training program for senior drivers the other day in my district, and the presenter was saying that outside of alcohol and speed, distracted driving is really one of the top issues that's causing a lot of problems. We blame a lot on cell phones, but there's a lot of other activities that are going on, whether you're eating or, believe it or not, Some people are shaving and doing all kinds of crazy things that you owe it to yourself as much as the other drivers on the road. So we'd ask for unanimous support. Thank you.
Thank you, Chairman. Are there any negative votes? Seeing none. House Resolution 439 will be reported as committed. Well, thank you all. It looks like a busy week this week. Thanks for putting up with us a little bit. A long meeting today, longer than usual. Everybody have a great week and be safe. Thank you. Thank you. .