PA House Committee advances my school transportation bill

Rep. Paul Friel May 9, 2025 | 2:18 PM

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Dear Neighbor,

This week, I’m proud to report that my bipartisan school transportation bill to update and streamline administrative requirements and collect data to modernize our student transportation laws advanced from the PA House Education Committee.

Working on the legislation with school transportation contractors, school associations, state officials, and school transportation directors from across the commonwealth, we were able to ensure that H.B. 1326 can deliver us better data to determine the course of other school transportation legislation.

This legislation would allow for tracking software and GPS systems for less burdensome and more accurate reporting of mileage and ask that schools collect and report data regarding special transportation services, homeless students and transportation by school districts for private, nonpublic and charter students.

There is a lot of work to be done to bring our school transportation laws into the 21st century, and this bill is an excellent first step toward that goal.

I also advanced a critical amendment to an energy bill ensuring that large commercial gas production could not happen on agricultural sites in Pennsylvania. It would place a limit on the constraint of the size of the digesters located on the farms in our communities.

The overarching legislation is part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s commonsense energy plan – known as the Lightning Plan – that would create jobs, lower costs for consumers, speed up permitting, and protect Pennsylvania from global instability by building more energy generation in Pennsylvania.

In other legislative news, the House passed legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis, advancing a comprehensive plan that centers on public health, community repair and economic opportunity.

The legislation, shaped by extensive hearings and input from public health experts, criminal justice reform advocates, and small business leaders, offers a clear roadmap for responsible legalization in the commonwealth.

Key elements of the bill include:

Automatic expungement of records for low-level cannabis offenses and investments in restorative justice.
Targeted reinvestment in communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.
Robust public health safeguards, including THC limits, restrictions on marketing and packaging, and measures to prevent accidental ingestion.
Support for small and diverse businesses, creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs and avoiding domination by large, out-of-state corporations.
Maximizing state revenue and accountability with publicly owned and accountable retail stores.

As structured in the Cannabis Health and Safety Act, the hybrid marketplace is projected to bring in more than $2.2 billion dollars for the commonwealth in the first two years.

Thank you for attending my Town Hall

Thank you to everyone who made it out to my Town Hall last week. We discussed state and federal issues, and Commissioner Marian Moskowitz and Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler joined me for a dynamic Q&A portion.

If you missed it, you can watch it here:

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there in the 26th Legislative District. Your love and commitment is shaping our next generation of kids to be leaders and their best selves.

"Mothers are like glue. Even when you can't see them, they're still holding the family together." -Susan Gale

Sincerely,

Free shredding event is June 7

My next paper shredding/e-waste recycling event is scheduled! If you have paper that needs to be securely destroyed and recycled, please save a date for June 7!

Date: Saturday, June 7

Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Place: Coventry Mall Parking Lot, near Dick’s Sporting Goods

We also are collecting food donations for the Chester County Food Bank. Federal cuts have made the food bank’s mission harder, but it remains just as important if not more.

Federal cuts mean more community help is needed

To highlight ways to get involved in our community, I’d like to write periodic sections in this email to talk about an issue that needs focus.

As I previously mentioned, the Chester County Food Bank needs our help in the face of federal funding cuts. Now more than ever, the strength of our community must rise to meet the need.

The food bank has long been a vital resource for families facing food insecurity in our region. There are many meaningful ways to get involved. Whether you can donate funds, volunteer your time, or organize a local food drive, every contribution counts. The food bank depends on a network of committed individuals and groups – schools, faith communities, businesses and residents – working hand in hand to stock shelves, pack meals, and support outreach programs that feed thousands across Chester County. Even a few hours of your time can directly impact a family's well-being.

Let’s ensure that the Chester County Food Bank continues to be a beacon of help and heart for all who need it. You can learn more about helping the Food Bank here.

Road closure will affect U.S. 422/Route 100

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 16, the ramp from eastbound U.S. 422 to Route 100 (Pottstown Pike) will be closed and detoured for geotechnical borings.

Motorists will be directed to continue on eastbound U.S. 422, exit at Keim Street, and take the ramp to westbound U.S. 422 to access Route 100 (Pottstown Pike).

Is there money in your mailbox?

Keep an eye on your mailbox – 40,000 Pennsylvanians are receiving letters this week as part of the PA Money Match Program, which returns unclaimed property worth $500 or less automatically. Confirm your address, and you could receive a check in about 45 days.

Visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property or contact my office for help searching for other unclaimed funds of yours PA Treasury may be holding in safekeeping – the average claim is worth over $1,000!

PA launches new consumer protection tools

In response to weakened federal consumer protections, Gov. Josh Shapiro has unveiled a new, centralized consumer protection hotline, website and email address designed to streamline how state residents report scams and resolve financial and insurance issues. The initiative will ensure Pennsylvanians can easily access help from state agencies regardless of the type of consumer issue they face.

Pennsylvanians can now contact the state’s consumer protection services by calling 1-866-PACOMPLAINT (1-866-722-6675), visiting pa.gov/consumer, or emailing mailto:consumer@pa.gov.