TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 10/03/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, October 03, 2006 and reported out the following:

HB 1631 - The bill amends the Vehicle Code to allow maintenance vehicles used by an institution of higher learning to be exempt from registration provided the vehicle does not travel on public roads in excess of one mile and the property on both sides of the public road is owned by the institution.  The bill was reported out 10-4.

HB 2133 - This bill amends Title 75 to provide for Special Registration plates, identification cards, unattended children in motor vehicles, requirements for headlights, flashing or revolving blue lights and the penalty for a violation of restrictions on a posted road or bridge.  Sen. Madigan offered A9553 that allows for permits to move whole or unprocessed grain.  Sen. LaValle offered 9565 that allows permits to be issued for moving multiple ingots on highways. The amendments and bill were reported 14-0.

SR 311 - The resolution recognizes the Federal Aviation Administration's plan to divert air traffic from the Philadelphia International Airport over Delaware County and calling on the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct public hearings to obtain additional input on the issue and to afford residents and local government officials an opportunity to comment on the proposed plan.  This resolution was reported 14-0.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 09/19/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, September 19, 2006, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

House Bill 2498 (McIlhinney) – This bill would create the “Gold Star Family” specialty license plate, which would be available to any family member of a service member killed while serving on active duty.

Senate Bill 1330 (Robbins) – This bill would permit charitable organizations to hold roadside fundraising drives, subject to municipal approval.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 06/27/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, June 27, 2006, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

Senate Resolution 326 (Madigan) – This resolution would extend the select committee to study innovative highway funding options established in Senate Resolution 116 until October 31, 2006.

House Bill 2295 (Sainato) – This bill would create a new specialty license plate for any person who has received the Korean Defense Service Medal. Authorized by Congress with Public Law 107-314, this medal is awarded to service members who have served in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea from 1954 to present. They must have flown sorties, been engaged in combat, or been wounded or injured in the line of duty.

House Bill 2633 (Roberts) – This bill would designate a bridge in Fayette County as the “Cpl. Victor Kozares, D.S.C., Bridge.”

House Bill 2740 (McIlhattan) – This bill would designate a bridge on State Route 68 as the “Sergeant Carl F. Curran II Memorial Bridge.”

The committee also voted unanimously in favor of the re-nominations of Pasquale T. Deon, Sr., and Mitchell Rubin to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 06/20/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

Senate Bill 1175 (Rhoades) – This bill would establish the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) shared-ride program in statute, expand it statewide, and appropriate funds specifically for this program.

House Bill 901 (Benninghoff) – This bill would amend the Vehicle Code to expand the type and amount of lighting permitted on a motorcycle.

House Bill 2026 (Causer) – This bill would designate a bridge in Coudersport as the “Specialist Mike Franklin Memorial Bridge.”

House Bill 2457 (Sonney) – This bill would designate a bridge in Erie County as the “Sergeant Donald S. Oaks Memorial Bridge.”

The following bills were reported unanimously as amended:

House Bill 1928 (Harris) – This legislation would amend the Vehicle Code with regard to permits for the movement of modular housing undercarriages on the return trip.  Sen. Madigan offered amendment A8139, which removed redundant language regarding lighting requirements.  Sen. Stout offered amendment A8170, which would assist domestic steel producers by permitting a “hot box” to be hauled locally on state roads, provided it does not exceed current weight allowances.  The committee agreed to both amendments.

Senate Bill 924 (Greenleaf) – This legislation would permit the use of neighborhood electric vehicles on certain Pennsylvania roads.  Sen. Madigan offered amendment A7763, which would PennDOT and municipalities to open up more roads for such vehicles.  The committee agreed to the amendment.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 06/07/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, June 7, 2006, and reported out the following bills unanimously, as committed:

Senate Bill 1206 (Scarnati) - This bill would designate an access road from Interstate 80 to the Dubois-Jefferson County Airport as the “Francis H. ‘Bud’ Scherer Memorial Highway.”

Senate Bill 1222 (Robbins) – This bill would designate portions of U.S. Route 6 as the “Gateway to the East” and “Gateway to the West.”

House Bill 2210 (Santoni) – This bill would designate a portion of State Route 422 in Reading as the “Sergeant William V. Fernandez Highway.”

House Bill 2315 (Armstrong) – This bill would eliminate term limits for members of the state Aviation Advisory Committee.  Currently, members are limited to two three-year terms, but no other PennDOT advisory committee has such a requirement.

The following bills were reported out unanimously, as amended:

House Bill 804 (Maitland) – This bill would make several changes to the Vehicle Code with regard to penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and leaving an unattended child in a motor vehicle.  Sen. Madigan offered amendment A7798, which was technical in nature.

House Bill 2468 (Good) – This is the Highway Capital Budget itemization bill.  Sen. Madigan offered amendment A7755, which added several projects so that this bill mirrors the Senate-passed version (Senate Bill 873).

House Bill 248 (Hess) – This bill would provide additional funds to the State Highway Transfer Program, also known as the Turnback Program.  Sens. Madigan and Stout offered amendment A7719, which would increase the annual maintenance payment to $4,000 per mile.  The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors supports the amendment and the legislation generally.  According to comments by Sens. Madigan and Stout, the department believes that the additional revenues provided from the state Oil Franchise Tax will cover this increase in funds provided to local municipalities.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 05/02/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, and reported out the following bill unanimously as committed:

House Bill 2304 (Solobay) - This bill would designate the bridge carrying State Route 1025 over Interstate 79 in Washington County as the Canon-McMillan Alumni Bridge.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 03/22/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, March 22, 2006, and reported out the following bills unanimously as committed:

House Bill 15 (DiGirolamo) – This bill would amend the Crimes and Vehicle Codes to provide for the use of Victim Impact Panels in the DUI sentencing process and clarify the good-faith exception to the DUI law’s two-hour rule.  According to newspaper reports, defense lawyers in some parts of the state have argued that a DUI suspect’s blood must be tested within two hours of being drawn.  The District Attorneys Association has argued that the law was intended to require that blood be drawn within two hours, but can be tested much later.  The bill would conform state law to the argument advanced by prosecutors and close this legal loophole.

House Bill 137 (Fleagle) – This bill would amend the Vehicle Code to provide further for motorcycle lights and for restrictions on highway and bridge use.

House Bill 1014 (Geist) – This bill would amend the Vehicle Code to make the voluntary electronic titling program applicable for all lienholders conducting business in Pennsylvania.  The transition to a mandatory system is effective in two years.

House Bill 1834 (Cohen) – This bill would amend Title 20 to allow organ procurement organizations to have access to the Department of Transportation’s driver licensing database.

Senate Bill 703 (Erickson) – This bill would amend the Vehicle Code to require drivers to slow down and/or change lanes when passing a stopped emergency or police vehicle.  Fines for violations would range from $30 to $300.  In discussing the bill, Sen. Stout voiced some concerns with the bill’s application, and Sen. Madigan agreed that a statement of legislative intent would be drafted and offered, at a later date, as an amendment to the bill.

Senate Bill 758 (Robbins) – This bill would amend the Vehicle Code to require driver’s license, learner’s permit, and identification card applicants to comply with federal Selective Service requirements.

Senate Bill 1088 (Kasunic) – This bill would designate the section of State Route 219 in Somerset County as the Flight 93 Memorial Highway.

Senate Bill 1169 (Fontana) – This bill would designate a portion of State Route 279 in Allegheny County (Parkway West) as the State Police Cpl. Joseph R. Pokorny Memorial Highway.  Pokorny had been a 22-year veteran of the State Police when he was killed in the line of duty in December.

Senate Bill 1095 (Stout) – This bill would amend the Rail Freight Preservation and Improvement Act to allow the Department of Transportation to approve capital projects (up to $250,000) without going through the capital budget process.  The Rail Freight Assistance Program, which helps rehabilitate aging rail lines, would receive an additional $2 million in appropriations under the governor’s recently proposed budget.

The following bill was reported out unanimously as amended:

House Bill 601 (Phillips) – This bill would amend the Vehicle Code to specify who pays for the costs associated with chemical testing in DUI cases.  Sen. Madigan offered amendment A6911, which further clarifies the bill’s language.  The committee voted unanimously to approve the amendment.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 01/31/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, January 31, 2006, and reported out the following bills unanimously as committed:

Senate Bill 664 (Boscola) – This bill would amend the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Compact to give the governor veto powers over certain actions and give the auditor general the authority to conduct financial and management audits of the commission.

Senate Bill 1056 (Pippy) – This bill would exempt drivers operating a school bus or other commercial vehicle during a state of emergency from being prosecuted for an accident involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed.

House Bill 654 (McCall) – This bill would permit a person whose operating privilege has been suspended or revoked to request a “credit hearing” from the state Department of Transportation.  Such procedures are already provided for under current departmental regulations, which would be abrogated with passage of this bill.  This bill would also remove the 30-day requirement for petitioning the department for a credit hearing.

House Bill 1285 (McCall) – This bill would define and establish administrative law judges within the state Department of Transportation.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 01/25/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, January 25, 2006, and reported out the following bills unanimously:

Senate Bill 873 (Madigan/Stout) – This is the highway capital budget itemization bill.

Senate Bill 874 (Madigan/Stout) – This is the supplemental highway, bridge, and railroad capital budget itemization bill.  Sen. Madigan offered amendment A5537.  The bill was reported out as amended.

A vote of 11-2 was recorded for the following bill:

Senate Bill 1025 (Madigan) – This bill would prohibit the Environmental Quality Board from adopting the stricter “California car” standard under the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles program.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 01/23/06

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, January 24, 2006, and reported out the following bills unanimously:

House Bill 1281 (Harris) – This bill would designate State Route 104 as the “Timberwolves Memorial Highway – 104^th Infantry Division.”  Sen. Madigan offered amendment A3164, which made technical changes.  The bill was reported out as amended.

House Bill 1183 (Wojnaroski) – This bill would designate a bridge on State Route 271 in Cambria County as the “Sergeant Michael Strank Memorial Bridge.”

House Bill 1401 (Hanna) – This bill would designate the bridge over Beech Creek on State Route 150 in Clinton and Centre Counties as the “Beech Creek Veterans Memorial Bridge.”

House Bill 1455 (Wilt) – This bill would designate the intersection of State Route 18 and State Route 58 in Mercer County as the “Joseph J. Lininger Intersection.” 

House Bill 1955 (Pyle) – This bill would designate a bridge on State Route 66 in Armstrong County as the “1/112^th Infantry Alpha Company Bridge.”

House Bill 121 (Roebuck) – This bill would add a new section to the Vehicle Code to prohibit drivers from overtaking or passing streetcars.

Senate Bill 876 (Rafferty) – This bill would codify the practice currently used by the Department of Transportation making vehicle registration information confidential for judges, district attorneys, cabinet-level officials, and undercover law enforcement officers.  Sen. Madigan offered amendment A5518, which changes the effective date of the bill from 60 days to 180 days.  The bill was reported out as amended.

Senate Bill 1050 (Madigan) – This bill would require manufacturers to disclose if a vehicle is equipped with an electronic data recorder and provide for ownership of information created by those recorders.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 06/21/05

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, June 21, 2005, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

House Bill 129 (Watson) – This bill would make it illegal to operate an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Currently, Pennsylvania is one of three states that do not ban pilots from flying while impaired.  The Federal Aviation Administration can suspend a pilot’s license for an offense, but states are responsible for providing criminal penalties.  Last year, two cases of drunken pilots were thrown out of court because Pennsylvania judges have held that pilots cannot be charged under statutes prohibiting drunk driving.  A similar bill (House Bill 2664) passed the Senate unanimously last session, but Gov. Rendell vetoed the bill because it contained an amendment concerning mass transit funding.

Senate Bill 777 (Orie) – This bill would designate a portion of State Route 28 as the “28^th Signal Battalion Memorial Highway.”

Senate Bill 778 (Tomlinson) – This bill would designate a portion of State Route 132 as the “Armed Forces and Veterans Memorial Highway.”

The following bill was reported out unanimously, as amended:

House Bill 489 (R. Stevenson) – This bill would provide for new veterans license plates (a general veterans plate and one each for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom) and a special permit for the movement of containerized cargo from the Port of Philadelphia.   Sen. Stout expressed concern about the negative impact on state roads from overweight trucks (carrying 40-foot containers, weighing up to 107,500 pounds).  Representatives from the Philadelphia Port Authority stated that they were working with PennDOT to minimize impact by using special trucks and limiting movement to certain roads.  Sen. Madigan offered amendment A1898, which would provide for the efficient transfer of titles at wholesale vehicle auctions.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 7/7/05

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, June 7, 2005, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

Senate Bill 126 (Wenger), Senate Bill 141 (Erickson), Senate Bill 406 (Pippy), Senate Bill 599 (D. White), Senate Bill 677 (Pileggi), Senate Bill 706 (White), and House Bill 1110 (Stairs) – These bills would designate certain roads and bridges in the Commonwealth.

Senate Bill 174 (Corman) – This bill would provide for a state identification card for minors age 10 and older.

Senate Bill 721 (Lemmond) – This bill would amend the Transportation Code to designate a portion of State Route 6 in Wyoming County and a portion of State Route 92 in Susquehanna County as scenic byways.

Senate Bill 724 (Stout) – This bill would amend the Vehicle Code to bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999.  The federal law, which aims to road safety by ensuring only safe drivers operate commercial vehicles, requires states to maintain complete driving records that include any moving violation.  Also, a state must revoke or deny a commercial driver’s license when a driver has a high-risk violation in his own (non-commercial) vehicle.  If Pennsylvania does not bring its laws into compliance by September 30, 2005, the state could lose up to $40 million in federal highway dollars and the authority to issue and renew commercial driver’s licenses.

Reported out as amended unanimously:

House Bill 402 (Fabrizio) – This bill would designate a portion of a state road in Erie as “Michael A. Cannavino Way” and redesignate the Carey Avenue Bridge in Luzerne County as the “1^st Battalion, 109^th Field Artillery, PA Army National Guard Bridge.”  On the behalf of Sen. Orie, Sen. Madigan offered amendment A1307, which would add another project in Allegheny County for designation.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 2/15/05

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, and unanimously reported out the following bill as committed:

Senate Bill 158 (Earll) - This bill would transfer a portion of the Bayfront Parkway in Erie to the state, in exchange for transferring a portion of State Road 4018 to the city.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 2/8/05

The Senate Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, February 8, 2005, and unanimously reported out the following bill as committed:

Senate Bill 199 (Thompson) - This bill, the “Supplemental Public Transportation Account Funding Act,” would provide for the temporary suspension of the $75 million cap on sales tax revenue transferred to the Supplemental Public Transportation Account.  This suspension would apply retroactively to July 1, 2004, and expire on June 30, 2005.  Sen. Stout inquired about this legislation’s impact on the General Fund, and Sen. Madigan answered that the Appropriations Committee would assess the fiscal impact, which was estimated at $22-$25 million in additional funds for mass transit.  This legislation may become a vehicle for additional public transit funding.

The committee also unanimously reported out the reappointment of Timothy Carson to the Turnpike Commission.