|
||||
|
In this Update:
Senate Transportation Committee Approves Bill Authorizing Drone Collaboration
The Senate Transportation Committee approved my legislation to authorize Pennsylvania to enter into interstate agreements for drone research and deployment. Senate Bill 468 permits the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, with the governor’s approval, to engage in agreements with other states to facilitate the research and use of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones. Committee action follows another successful Aerium Summit 2025 at the John Murtha Cambria County Airport, which brought local, state and national stakeholders together to highlight recent advancements and explore the future of the industry. This legislation authorizes collaboration across state lines and will position our region and Commonwealth to realize the tremendous economic impact of this industry. Safe, responsible deployment of drones will aid public safety, create family sustaining jobs, and infuse our Commonwealth with significant economic development. I am proud to add this vital piece to the collaborative efforts of so many stakeholders. This legislation positions Pennsylvania as a national leader in this space. Senate Bill 468 now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Bill to Protect Recovery Houses
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved my legislation to strengthen protections for individuals in recovery. Senate Bill 635 directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to establish a sentencing enhancement for certain drug-related offenses committed within 1,000 feet of a drug and alcohol recovery house. Recovery houses provide a pathway to overcome addiction. Drug dealers who exploit and target those on the road to recovery must be held accountable. This bill strengthens penalties for those that commit these vile acts. This bill builds on the General Assembly’s unanimous passage of Act 59 of 2017, which established standards for recovery houses to ensure a safe, drug- and alcohol-free environment for individuals in recovery. Despite these protections, some individuals continue to sell controlled substances near these facilities, undermining recovery and endangering lives. Senate Bill 635 now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Bill to Target New Car Theft Tactic Approved By Senate Judiciary Committee
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 739, which I co-sponsored alongside state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), to target car thieves who use new technology to clone or reprogram key fobs. SB 739 would update the statute governing the manufacture, distribution, and possession of master keys to include these spoofing devices, ensuring the law keeps pace with technological developments. These changes would make it a first-degree misdemeanor to use this technology to spoof key fobs. We’re seeing criminals adapt faster than our laws. This legislation closes a dangerous loophole by cracking down on high-tech car theft tools that are increasingly being used across Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 739 now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Senior Expo in DuBois
State Representative Mike Armanini and I hosted our 2025 Senior Expo at the DuBois Mall. Dunlo Fire Company Car Show
I had the honor of teaming up with state Representative Jim Rigby to judge the 2025 Dunlo Fire Company Car Show. Upcoming Free License Plate Replacement Events
This week in Clearfield, I hosted my first in a series of free license plate replacement events across the 35th Senatorial District this month! Anyone with a damaged license plate is invited to stop by one of my future events to start the process of receiving a replacement plate for free. License plates are considered damaged if they feature a loss of reflectivity, peeling, blistering, or discoloration, and are unreadable from 50 feet away. Police will be present at the events to determine if plates need to be replaced and to help with any necessary paperwork. Once an application is submitted to PennDOT, a replacement plate with the same design and a new number will arrive by mail to the vehicle owner’s home address. PennDOT only allows an individual to keep the same registration number if the original plate was personalized or if the individual pays an extra fee. The dates, times, and locations of the remaining plate replacement events are as follows: June 11, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 12, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 17, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Senate Votes to Preserve Prescription Assistance for Seniors
Legislation to protect thousands of Pennsylvania seniors from losing access to life-sustaining prescriptions passed the Senate unanimously. Senate Bill 731 would exclude Social Security cost-of-living adjustments from income eligibility calculations for the PACE and PACENET programs. The bill would extend the current exclusion from the end of this year to Dec. 31, 2027. Funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery, the PACE and PACENET programs have provided hundreds of thousands of adults 65 and older with low-cost prescriptions. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Approves Bill to Improve Access to Stroke Resources
The Senate unanimously passed legislation that would improve access to stroke resources. Senate Bill 411 would establish a statewide stroke registry administered and maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The registry would improve patient outcomes by giving emergency medical service providers, hospital stroke teams and other health care providers additional resources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, more than 795,000 people experience a stroke. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. New Clearfield District Office Location
My district office in Clearfield has moved to a new location. While the address has changed, the phone and fax numbers remain the same. If you’re a Clearfield County resident and you need assistance with any state-related issue, stop by my new Clearfield office at the address above or call (814) 765-0555. |
||||
|
||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorlangerholc.com | Privacy Policy |
