HB 646 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to prohibit drivers from using hearing impairment devices, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, while operating a motor vehicle. This law directly affects drivers who rely on such devices, making it illegal to use them while driving. The key provision updates the "rules of the road" under Title 75 to explicitly ban the use of these devices behind the wheel. The bill became law as Act No. 43 of 2025 after receiving gubernatorial approval on November 6, 2025.
SB 65 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to strengthen school bus safety rules. It increases penalties for drivers who fail to stop for school buses with flashing red lights (5 points and a 60-day license suspension) and adds a $250-$500 fine with a $35 surcharge for violations. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to include school bus safety education in driver license renewal notices and share materials with school districts. All surcharges from violations fund the School Bus Safety Grant Program to improve school bus safety measures.
SB 713 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle lighting laws to allow specific types of illuminated signs on vehicles, such as those used by commercial drivers or for business purposes. It directly affects vehicle owners, operators, and commercial entities that display illuminated signage on their vehicles. The key provision updates Title 75 statutes to establish clear standards for the size, placement, and visibility of these signs, replacing outdated regulations. This change aims to modernize vehicle lighting rules while maintaining safety requirements for illuminated displays. The bill passed the state legislature on September 10, 2025, and is now under review by the Transportation committee.
HB 257 updates Pennsylvania laws across multiple transportation and gaming areas. It creates new rules for minor driver licensing (including junior licenses and learners' permits), adds penalties for drug delivery on transit, and allows operating controlled substance injection sites near public transit infrastructure. The bill also adjusts interactive gaming taxes, establishes a new highway funding account for state routes, and defines terms for sustainable mobility programs. These changes directly affect drivers (especially minors), transit operators, gaming businesses, and local transportation authorities.
HB 1338 allocates funding from the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund to the Philadelphia Parking Authority for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This provides dedicated financial support to the Parking Authority using revenue generated by the taxicab and limousine industry. The bill is a routine budget allocation, not a policy change, and was signed into law on June 27, 2025.
HB 240 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to update the qualifications required for obtaining a school bus driver endorsement. It directly affects school bus drivers and school districts by changing the specific criteria for securing this endorsement, such as background checks or training requirements. The bill revises Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to clarify and strengthen these qualification standards. As Act No. 4 of 2025, it became law after approval by the governor on June 27, 2025. The change focuses solely on the licensing process, not operational rules for school buses.
SB 205 creates two new funding streams for Pennsylvania highway maintenance: a $5 million annual appropriation from the Motor License Fund to counties starting in 2025, and a 55-mill tax on liquid fuels. Counties can use these funds specifically for constructing and maintaining bridges owned by municipalities within their counties. The bill directly affects local governments by providing dedicated resources for bridge infrastructure, a key need for many communities. It amends Pennsylvania’s vehicle code to redirect existing transportation revenue toward this purpose without changing overall tax rates.
Senate Bill 168 proposes to allocate funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for its operations during the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The bill appropriates $88,386,000 in state funds for the PUC's general expenses, including salaries and the Bureau of Safety and Enforcement. Additionally, it designates $7,716,000 in federal augmentation funds for specific programs such as Natural Gas Pipeline Safety, Motor Carrier Safety, and the IRA - Transmission Siting Program. These appropriations aim to ensure the PUC has the necessary resources to carry out its regulatory functions and enforce safety standards.
SB 210 creates a new offense for interfering with public transit operators (like bus drivers or conductors) while they are performing their duties. It prohibits actions that cause serious injury or death to operators (felony first degree), lesser injury (felony third degree), or create fear of harm. The law applies to any public transit vehicle, including buses, trains, and streetcars, and covers both direct harm to operators and harm to passengers caused by the interference. Penalties range from serious felony charges for severe cases to lesser felonies for less severe violations.
