TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 11/9/04

The Transportation Committee met on Monday, November 9, 2004 and took the following action:

Reported Out as Committed (12-0) 

HB 310 Creighton (PN 356) -- An Act designating a portion of State Route 1040 known as Spur Road in East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, as Colonel Howard Blvd. – The bill was unanimously reported as committed.

HB 2306 Major (PN3215) -- Act designating a bridge on State Route 11 crossing the Susquehanna River between Great Bend Township and Hallstead Borough, Susquehanna County. Pennsylvania, as the Community Memorial Bridge. – The bill was unanimously reported as committed.

HB 2409 Harhart – Amends the Act designating a certain bridge on PA Route 45 in Northumberland and Union Counties as the “Judge Herbert W. Cummings/Judge Harold M. McClure Memorial Bridge” and also further designating a second bridge as the “General Thomas R. Morgan U..M.C. Bridge”, and adds U.S.M.C. to the name of the bridge. – The bill was unanimously reported as committed.

HB 2826 Sather (PN 4354) -- Act designating the bridge on State Route 522 crossing the Black Log Creek, just South of Orbisonia, Cornwell Township, Huntingdon County, as the Huntingdon County World War II Veterans Memorial Bridge. – The bill was unanimously reported as committed.

HB 851 Crahalla (PN 1809) -- Amends Title 18 (Crimes) to state that a person found guilty of scattering rubbish would pay a fine of not less than $250 but not more than $500 and be sentenced to no more than 90 days of community service. The legislation also includes a provision that states that property subject to forfeiture may be seized by a law enforcement authority upon process issued by a court of common pleas having jurisdiction over the property. When a waste transportation vehicle is forfeited, DEP would be notified and would conduct a compliance history review. (Prior Printer’s Numbers: 998). – The bill was reported as committed unanimously.

HB 2482 Stern – (PN 4244) The State Railroad Infrastructure Act establishes the State Railroad Infrastructure Bank and the State Railroad Infrastructure Bank Fund to provide low-interest loans to second-class railroads and third class railroads or their customers, or both, for the financing of railroad infrastructure. The legislation states that loans awarded to such railroads would be repaid at the rate equal to the prime rate of interest less that 0.5%. The Department of Community and Economic Development w3ould promulgate the rules and regulation to implement the Act. (Prior Printer’s Numbers: 3568, 4149) – The bill was reported as committed unanimously.

Reported Out as Amended (12-0) 

HB 2666 McCall – (PN 3972) -- Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) by removing the requirement within the staggered 

registration renewal system that the system be coordinated with the periodic inspection of all vehicles which

are subject to annual inspection except those vehicles bearing dealer registration plates. – 

The bill was reported as amended unanimously.

A4138 (Stout) -- Removes the coordination requirement for emissions inspections. The bill was unanimously adopted.

HB 2664 Watson (PN 4194) -- Amends Title 74 (Transportation) by adding a chapter on flying while impaired. A person may not operate an aircraft in PA: (1) while under the influence of alcohol; (2) while under the influence of a drug which affects the individual’s faculties in any way contrary to safety; (3) when the alcohol concentration in the individual’s blood or breath, as measured within two hours of the time of operation, or attempted operation, is 0.02% or more; or (4) within eight hours after consumption of “liquor” or a “malt or brewed beverage.” A violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the third degree and constitutes a fine of at least $1,000 but less than $5,000 and imprisonment for at least 72 consecutive hours. The violator would be required to undergo evaluation for substance abuse and, if the evaluation indicates abuse, to undergo treatment ordered by the court. (Prior Printer’s Numbers: 3970) – The bill was reported as amended unanimously.

A4197 (Madigan) -- Changes the effective date from 60 to 90 days. The amendment was unanimously adopted.

Senator Jane Earll (R-Erie) asked where the money would come from. Chairman Madigan said wither from the general fund or a school district’s own funds.

HB 873 Geist (PN 4190) -- Amends title 75 (Vehicles) further providing for suspension of operating privilege and for numerous offenses. This legislation would mandate a six-,omth license suspension for a lost of offenses. The bill also creates a point system for driver education and control. Every driver licensed in PA who is convicted a crime (listed in the bill) would be assessed a certain amount of points. A violation of this law that unintentionally causes the death of anther person would require the violator to pay a fine of $500. Also, a violation of this law that intentionally causes the serious bodily injury of another person would require the violator to pay a fine of $250. (Prior Printer’s Numbers: 1029, 4021, 4171) – The bill was reported as amended unanimously.

A3486 (Madigan) -- Changes the effective date from 60 to 150 days. The amendment was unanimously adopted.

A4241 (Costa) -- Allows the City of Pittsburgh to collect traffic fines, a power that will shortly be taken away from them due to actions under Act 47. The amendment was unanimously adopted.

SB 1211 Greenleaf (PN1815) -- Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) by defining a “Neighborhood electric vehicle” as a four-wheeled electric vehicle that has a maximum design speed of not less than 20 miles per hour and of not more than 25 miles per hour and that complies with Federal safety standards. The bill outlines how the vehicles would be regulated, including required equipment, registration, licensing, and operation. – The bill was withdrawn from the agenda.

HB 2066 Geist (PN 3561) -- Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) by defining “collectible motor vehicle” and “I-CAR.” The bill then adds several new provisions related to the transferring of vehicle ownership and for reconstructed, modified and specially constructed vehicles. The legislation also states that the identification card fee and photo fee would be waived for organ donors. (Prior Printer’s Numbers: 2767, 2797, and 3500) – The bill was passed over as the amendment was newly drafted and the Chair wished to give the Committee time to digest the changes.

A4156 (Madigan) -- Will (according to staff) “substantially change the bill from a single vendor, centralized program to one driven by the automotive service marketplace, improving convenience and allowing market forces to better determine cost.” The amendment will also move the effective date of the new program to January 1, 2007.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 6/22/04

Reported Out as Committed (12-0) 

SB 844 (Stout) -- An Act providing for the highway capital budget project itemization for

the fiscal year 2003-2004.

SB 1095 (Mellow) -- An Act designating Exit 182 on Interstate 81 in Lackawanna County as

the Chuck Mattei Interchange.

SB 1097 (Lemmond) -- An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania

Consolidated Statutes, designating a portion of State Route 6 in Wyoming

County as a scenic byway.

HB 994 (Rubley) -- This measure would empower municipalities, counties and public transportation 

agencies to work cooperatively to establish Transit Revitalization Investment Districts (TRID), 

including partnerships with the National Railroad Passenger Corporation requiring planning studies, 

comprehensive plan and zoning amendments and use of existing statutes and techniques to achieve 

transit-oriented development, redevelopment, community revitalization and enhanced community character 

through TRID creation.

HB 1801 (Freeman) -- An Act amending the act of June 25, 1931 (P.L.1352, No.332), referred to as the 

Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Compact, further providing for powers and duties and for audits.

HB 1937 (Wojnaroski) -- An Act redesignating the bridge known as the Napoleon Street Bridge, in the 

City of Johnstown, Cambria County, as the Edward A. Silk Memorial Bridge.

HB 2218 (Herman) -- An Act amending the act of June 1, 1956 (1955 P.L.1944, No.655),

referred to as the Liquid Fuels Tax Municipal Allocation Law, adding a definition of "computer-related 

hardware, software and training"; further providing for moneys appropriated to municipalities; and making 

editorial changes.

HB 2230 (Geist) -- An Act amending the act of July 3, 1985 (P.L.164, No.45), known as the Emergency 

Medical Services Act, further providing for support of emergency medical services.

HB 2378 (Geist) -- An Act designating a portion of State Route 4013 in Blair County as the

Jack E. Kuhn Memorial Highway.

HB 2405 (McCall) -- An Act designating a certain bridge carrying SR 248 over Aquashicola Creek in 

Palmerton Borough, Carbon County, as the Colonel John Craig Memorial Bridge.

HB 2649 (Feese) -- An Act designating a portion of State Route 405 from Clinton Township to Montgomery 

Borough, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, as the Dr. Charles F. Taylor Memorial Highway; and 

designating a bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River on State Route 405 between 

Muncy Creek Township and Clinton Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, as the The Last Raft

Memorial Bridge.

Reported Out as Amended (12-0)

HB 1912 (Vance) -- An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, 

further providing for the person with disability plate and placard, for physical examinations, for reports on 

mental or physical disabilities or disorders and for determination of incompetency.