HB 2036 — An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sustainable mobility options, further providing for Public Transportation Trust Fund and providing for residency requirement for senior programs.

Summary

Residency Requirements for SEPTA Senior Programs

Bill Text

• Printer's No. 2606 View text Current

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill establishes residency requirements for senior programs funded by the Public Transportation Trust Fund.

• Section 1506(b)(2)

  the amount made available to the department as an executive authorization and any appropriation for the 2007-2008 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter from the State Lottery Fund for fixed route transit and for the Free Transit Program for Senior Citizens established under the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. → the amount made available to the department as an executive authorization and any appropriation for the 2007-2008 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter from the State Lottery Fund for fixed route transit and for the Free Transit Program for Senior Citizens established under the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. The funds deposited under this paragraph shall only be used as permitted by the State Lottery Law and section 1506.1 (relating to residency requirement for senior programs), except that:

  The bill clarifies that funds for the Free Transit Program for Senior Citizens can only be used as permitted by the State Lottery Law and the new residency requirement.

• Title 74

  § 1506.1. Residency requirement for senior programs. (a) Verification of residency.--The department may only make payments from amounts deposited into the fund under section 1506(b)(2) for senior passengers who are senior citizens and have provided documentation approved by the department under subsection (b) demonstrating residency in this Commonwealth.

  This provision introduces a new requirement ensuring that senior citizens must prove residency in Pennsylvania to receive benefits from the fund.

• Title 74

  (b) Approved documentation.--Subject to subsection (d), the department shall establish a list of acceptable documents demonstrating Commonwealth residency.

  The bill mandates the creation of a list of acceptable documents for verifying residency.

• Title 74

  (c) Periodic review.--In order to receive funds from amounts deposited into the fund under section 1506(b)(2), a transportation company, local transportation organization or county transportation system shall require a senior citizen to provide documentation required under subsection (a) not less than once every four years.

  Senior citizens will need to provide proof of residency every four years to continue receiving benefits.

• Title 74

  (d) Department-issued identification.--A senior citizen who provides a valid, unexpired driver's license or photo identification card issued by the department shall not be required to provide any other documentation to demonstrate Commonwealth residency.

  This allows senior citizens with a valid state-issued ID to easily prove their residency without additional documentation.

• Title 74

  (e) Technical assistance.--The department shall provide technical assistance to transportation companies, local transportation organizations or county transportation systems in order to ensure compliance with this section, including authenticating the validity of documentation submitted under this section.

  The department is tasked with helping transportation entities comply with the new residency requirements.

• Title 74

  (f) Compliance.--(1) A transportation company, local transportation organization or county transportation system shall be considered in compliance with this section and eligible to receive funds from amounts deposited into the fund under section 1506(b)(2) if all of the following requirements are met:

  Transportation entities must meet specific requirements to be eligible for funding under the new residency rules.

• Title 74

  (2) A transportation company, local transportation organization or county transportation system that has submitted plans approved by the department under this subsection may not be required to submit individual records or documents of a senior citizen in order to receive funds unless requesting technical assistance regarding the approval of a senior citizen for free or reduced fares or when complying with paragraph (3).

  Entities with approved plans will not need to submit individual records for each senior citizen to receive funds, streamlining the process.

• Title 74

  (3) The department shall conduct random, periodic audits of transportation companies, local transportation organizations and county transportation systems receiving funds from amounts deposited into the fund under section 1506(b)(2) to ensure compliance with this section.

  Regular audits will be implemented to ensure compliance with the residency requirement for funds.

Action History

1. November 17, 2025

   Referred to TRANSPORTATION, Nov. 17, 2025

Sponsors

• R. Lee James · Cosponsor
• Thomas H. Kutz · Cosponsor
• Andrew Kuzma · Cosponsor
• Michael Stender · Cosponsor
• Mark M. Gillen · Cosponsor
• Kristin Marcell · Primary

Subjects