Bill to Improve Tolling Transparency Gets Committee OK

Legislation supported by Farm Bureau that would add more transparency and oversight to discussions of tolling Pennsylvania roadways has cleared its first hurdle in the General Assembly.

The Senate Transportation Committee voted 9-4 to advance Senate Bill 382. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc of Cambria County, now goes to the full chamber for consideration.

Pennsylvania’s Public-Private Transportation Partnership board recently began a new initiative that would allow PennDOT to enact tolls on nine bridges of Pennsylvania interstates. The legislation would overhaul the state’s public-private partnership law to ensure that the public and the General Assembly have a greater say in similar decisions in the future. Specifically, the plan would require notice and opportunities for public comment on such proposals and give the General Assembly greater oversight over decisions about adding tolls to Pennsylvania roads and bridges.