Bill Number: HB 1146

Sponsor: Rep. Joseph Hohenstein (D-177)

Co-sponsors: Rep. Ben Waxman (D-182), Rep. Jose Giral (D-180), Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-184), Rep. Chris Pielli (D-156), Rep. Tarik Khan (D-194), Rep. Benjamin Sanchez (D-153), Rep. Jared Solomon (D-202), Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (D-95), Rep. Rick Krajewski (D-188), Rep. David Delloso (D-162), Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-146), Rep. Danielle Friel Otten (D-155), Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-165), Rep. G. Roni Green (D-190), Rep. Sean Dougherty (D-172), Rep. Jessica Benham (D-36), Rep. Nikki Rivera (D-96), Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-20), Rep. La’Tasha Mayes (D-24)

Info: An Act amending Titles 53 (Municipalities Generally) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in taxation for public transportation, further providing for local financial support; and, in fees, further providing for fee for local use.

Last Action: Referred to House Local Government Committee (04/04/25)

Before HB 1146, Title 53 of the PA Consolidated Statutes limited the taxes that could be levied to fund transit systems to a sales tax on liquor and an excise tax on rental vehicles. Further, only counties of the second class could levi such taxes.

HB 1146 would make multiple changes to this statute. First, it would grant the ability to levi taxes to fund both transit and transportation systems and infrastructure to more counties including Philadelphia’s collar counties. Second, it would expand the number of taxes that can be levied. These include a property transfer tax, an income tax not to exceed .2%, a vehicle property tax, and a general sales tax.

This bill represents a very unique solution to the transit funding crisis that SEPTA faces. With it comes incredible local flexability and no new spending for the commonwealth. The tax options this bill grants could also encourage lower rates of car ownership. Currently this bill remains in the Local Government Committee in the House.