Senator Langerholc E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • 9/11 Memorial Event at Penn State University
  • Touring the Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania
  • Candlelight Vigil
  • Hunting and Fishing Day in the State Capitol
  • PennDOT Innovations Challenge
  • Beagle Bill Passes Senate
  • School Bus Bill Improves Safety for Pennsylvania Children
  • Senate Approves Bill to Expunge COVID-Era Citations
  • Helping Disabled Veterans Enjoy Outdoor Activities
  • Upcoming District Events

9/11 Memorial Event at Penn State University

It was an honor to speak at the 9/11 Memorial event at Penn State University. May we never forget those we lost on that fateful day, and may we always honor their memory. God Bless America.

Touring the Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania

It was a pleasure to visit the Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania in State College this week and see firsthand the incredible ways they serve our community. Discovery Space provides opportunities for learning, creativity, and discovery for all ages. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful resource here in central Pennsylvania.

Candlelight Vigil

On Thursday night, I joined others at Penn State University for a candlelight vigil to honor the life of Charlie Kirk. Political violence has no place in our country and will never be tolerated. May we always stand united against hate.

Hunting and Fishing Day in the State Capitol

Tuesday was hunting and fishing day in the State Capitol!

Hunting and trapping seasons are almost here. Pennsylvania sportsmen can find important information on seasons, bag limits, and how to purchase licenses at huntfish.pa.gov.

PennDOT Innovations Challenge

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is inviting all students in grades 9-12 to join this year’s PennDOT Innovations Challenge, an annual contest that encourages high school students to use their problem-solving skills to develop solutions to real-world transportation problems. This year’s challenge is asking teams of 2-4 students to come up with a concept to deploy artificial intelligence to increase safety in work zones for drivers and work crews.

The submission deadline for the Innovations Challenge is January 20, 2026. Regional winning teams will be invited to present their submissions to the PennDOT secretary and a panel of judges, who will select a statewide challenge winner. A monetary award for the statewide winning team will be announced at a later date.

For more details on the Innovations Challenge, visit bit.ly/3Vb4jL2.

Beagle Bill Passes Senate

The Senate unanimously approved legislation aimed at protecting dogs and cats when animal-based tests are conducted.

Senate Bill 381, also known as the Beagle Bill, would:

  • Prohibit Commonwealth funds from being used to conduct certain experiments on dogs and cats.
  • Require animal testing facilities to prominently post a link to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care Public Search Tool.
  • Prohibit the testing and sale of animal-tested cosmetics effective Jan. 1, 2027.

Senate Bill 381 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

School Bus Bill Improves Safety for Pennsylvania Children

Legislation to improve school bus safety and better protect children traveling to and from school was approved by the Senate.

Senate Bill 65 increases the required stopping distance from 10 feet to 15 feet for drivers approaching from the opposite direction when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. It also raises penalties for violations, including higher fines and license suspensions for repeat offenders, and mandates additional driver education or examinations.

It also establishes penalties for drivers who fail to prepare to stop when a school bus activates its flashing amber lights, adding an important layer of accountability. During Operation Safe Stop in October 2024, law enforcement and bus drivers across 22 school districts reported 131 violations in a single day, underscoring the urgency of these reforms.

Senate Approves Bill to Expunge COVID-Era Citations

The Senate approved legislation to expunge punitive COVID-related citations issued by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) against small businesses with liquor licenses. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives.

Every other commonwealth agency has dropped enforcement actions for COVID-era rule violations, recognizing the difficult situation restaurants faced. However, the PLCB has been using its license renewal process to punish license holders by issuing conditional licenses. Conditional licenses could come with higher insurance premiums or require the sale of a liquor license.

Senate Bill 241 would help local businesses by expunging COVID-related citations from the record of restaurants and bars that are under the purview of the PLCB.

Helping Disabled Veterans Enjoy Outdoor Activities

The Senate passed legislation supporting opportunities for Pennsylvania’s disabled veterans to participate in outdoor traditions.

Senate Bill 533 would streamline requirements for hunting and furtaking licenses and refine special permits for regulated hunting grounds to specifically benefit disabled veterans who take part in hunting events.

The legislation makes it easier for organizations to host hunts for disabled veterans by clarifying the permitting process and reducing unnecessary barriers, ensuring more veterans can be included in these events. Senate Bill 533 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Upcoming District Events

Mark your calendar for several upcoming events I will be hosting across the 35th Senatorial District!

I will be hosting a Child Safety Seat Inspection event later this month in Johnstown. If you have young children who ride in a safety seat, stop by to have a certified technician ensure the seat is properly installed in your vehicle.

The event will take place on Thursday, September 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Greater Johnstown High School Parking Lot, 222 Central Avenue in Johnstown. For more information, please contact my office at 814-266-2277.

I will be hosting my annual Senior Expo in Johnstown next month!

The expo will take place on Thursday, October 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Penn Highlands Community College, 101 Community College Way in Johnstown. Admission is free! Stop by for door prizes, health screenings, and information on services available to seniors from government agencies and senior citizen organizations. I look forward to seeing you there!

I will also be hosting my annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts next month!

For Cambria County veterans, breakfast will be held on October 16, 2025, at the Young Peoples Community Center in Ebensburg! The doors will open at 8:00 a.m. and breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m.

Registration is required by October 2 to attend. To register, please visit senatorlangerholc.com/vet-breakfast-cambria/ or call my office at 814-266-2277.

For veterans in Clearfield and Centre counties, breakfast will be held on October 30, 2025, at Clearfield VFW Post 1785! The doors will open at 8:00 a.m. and breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m.

Registration is required by October 16 to attend. To register, please visit senatorlangerholc.com/vet-breakfast-clearfield/ or call my office at 814-266-2277.

I will be hosting two License Plate Replacement Events next month for damaged and hard to read license plates. Damaged plates have peeling, blistering, discoloration, or a loss of reflectivity, and are unreadable from 50 feet away.

Stop by one of my events to have a police officer determine if your plate needs replaced and to help with the appropriate paperwork. This service is free, and my staff will submit the paperwork to PennDOT for you!

The first event will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Patton Township Municipal Building, 100 Patton Plaza in State College. If you have any questions or cannot attend the event but need your plate replaced, please contact my office at 814-806-1197.

The second event will be held on Wednesday, October 29, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Curwensville Civic Center, 11 Stadium Drive in Curwensville. If you have any questions or cannot attend the event but need your plate replaced, please contact my office at 814-765-0555.

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