Pennsylvania House Bill HB1820

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/25/25
• Refer: 8/25/25

Caption

In taxes for highway maintenance and construction, providing for transfers and for Supplemental Roads and Bridges Account.

Summary

HB1820 would require a series of transfers from Pennsylvania’s Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund into a newly created Supplemental Roads and Bridges Account in the Motor License Fund. The bill directs five transfers of $500 million each: one within 30 days of the act’s effective date and four more on July 1 of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, for a total of $2.5 billion. The new account would be a restricted account used to fund road and bridge projects across the Commonwealth. Money in the account, including interest and any additional appropriations or transfers, would be continuously appropriated to the Department of Transportation for construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, maintenance, and repair of roads and bridges. The bill takes effect immediately.

Impact

HB1820 would amend Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by adding new provisions governing transfers from the state’s rainy day fund and by establishing a dedicated transportation funding account. It would reduce the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund by $2.5 billion over five years and redirect those funds into the Motor License Fund for road and bridge work, creating a continuing appropriation to PennDOT for eligible infrastructure projects. The bill would affect state fiscal policy, transportation funding, and the management of reserve balances under the Fiscal Code.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or recorded vote information is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be framed as a transportation investment proposal, likely intended to address infrastructure needs through large, dedicated funding transfers. The available record does not show whether the proposal was controversial, but its use of reserve funds suggests it could draw scrutiny from fiscal conservatives and supporters of maintaining the state’s stabilization reserves.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the diversion of money from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, since the bill would commit substantial sums from the state’s reserve over multiple years. Supporters would likely emphasize the need for sustained road and bridge funding and the creation of a protected account for infrastructure projects, while critics may question whether the transfers weaken the state’s financial cushion or whether the spending should be handled through the regular budget process. No specific objections or negotiated compromises are documented in the provided materials.