House amends transportation transfer bill, creates commission to study funding and protects transit operations

On June 11 the Pennsylvania House approved several amendments to House Bill 13‑64, the session’s transportation funding measure, and agreed to the bill as amended.

The House adopted an amendment (a01032) to create a bipartisan Transportation Funding Advisory Commission charged with producing a comprehensive, long‑term funding proposal and a menu of revenue and cost‑saving options; that amendment passed 111–92. Another amendment (a01046) directed roughly $500 million in additional funding for roads and bridges and passed 144–59. Sponsors said the package is intended to prevent service cuts and stabilize transit and roads across all 67 counties.

Representative Nielsen, the prime sponsor, told the House: “This amendment takes the next step by establishing the Transportation Funding Advisory Commission. A bipartisan commission will be asked to develop a comprehensive proposal to address Pennsylvania's transportation needs all across the Commonwealth.” Opponents raised questions about prior transfers of federal highway funds and the turnpike’s long‑term debt; Representative Grove said residents in counties where highway projects were delayed were still seeing deteriorated pavement and argued for stronger legislative oversight of federal‑to‑transit flexing.

Key votes and provisions: the commission amendment (a01032) was adopted by a 111–92 roll call; the roads‑and‑bridges amendment (a01046) passed 144–59. An earlier floor amendment to prohibit executive “flexing” of federal highway funds without legislative approval failed (Benninghoff amendment a00468: ayes 101, nays 102). The chairman reported the underlying bill, as amended, will be reprinted for enrollment; the House agreed to the bill as amended.

Stakeholders and concerns: opponents and several outdoor and trails organizations cautioned about oversight and item specificity; supporters argued the commission and funding changes will produce a durable plan and protect transit operations. Representative Nelson urged that the commission and funding proposals include clean‑fleet investments and other cost‑saving options, and he withdrew a separate amendment to create a $60 million recurring grant program for cleaner buses in favor of the commission study.

Next steps: the commission is intended to deliver recommendations to the General Assembly; members approved automatic funding protections in the amendment package to guard transit operations if the legislature does not act on recommendations. Lawmakers also signaled oversight inquiries about prior flex transfers and the balances in the Public Transportation Trust Fund.