Transportation (Transportation Funding)

HB 1364 reorganizes Pennsylvania's transportation funding by reallocating money from the Public Transportation Trust Fund to support road and bridge projects. It creates two new funds (the Road and Bridge Project Fund and its Sinking Fund), allows a state agency to issue bonds for infrastructure work, and establishes a Transportation Funding Advisory Commission to guide spending. The bill directly affects how the state finances road repairs and bridge maintenance, adjusting fund distributions and adding oversight. Key changes include authorizing bond sales for projects and requiring the Department of Transportation to follow new allocation rules. These provisions aim to streamline and increase funding for transportation infrastructure without specifying particular projects or outcomes.

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.