SB 1294 — An Act amending the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private Licensed Schools Act, further providing for penalties.
Last action — Act No. 50 of 2026, July 20, 2026
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 17, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro (Democratic) on July 12, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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9 sponsors
1 primary, 8 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (9 R).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 3 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
In plain language
The bill updates penalties under the Private Licensed Schools Act.
This bill amends the Private Licensed Schools Act to revise the associated penalties. It seeks to reinforce regulations pertaining to licensed private schools.
Summary
Reinforcing Commercial Vehicle Safety
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
22 added · 34 removedPlain-language change summary
The bill SB 1294 has increased the maximum civil penalty for violations of licensing regulations for private schools from $2,500 to $25,000. This change is significant because it provides stronger enforcement measures against unlicensed schools and ensures that licensed facilities adhere to regulations, ultimately aiming to protect students and maintain educational standards. Additionally, the amended bill clarifies the process for assessing these penalties, ensuring fairness by allowing those penalized the opportunity for a hearing before penalties are collected.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
1611 PRINTER'STHE NO.GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
1682 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
WARD, BARTOLOTTA, PHILLIPS-HILL, HUTCHINSON, LANGERHOLC, STEFANO, MARTIN, BAKER AND VOGEL, APRIL 17, 2026 ASREFERRED AMENDEDTO ONEDUCATION, THIRDAPRIL CONSIDERATION,17, MAY 4, 2026 AN ACT AmeentitledAmending the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), entitled "An act defining and providing for the licensing and regulation of private schools;
Section 15(b)(1) of the act of December 15, 1986 <-- (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private Licensed Schools Act, is amended to read:
SECTION 1.
SECTION 15 OF THE ACT OF DECEMBER 15, 1986 <-- (P.L.1585, NO.174), KNOWN AS THE PRIVATE LICENSED SCHOOLS ACT, IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SUBSECTION TO READ:
* * * (b) Civil penalty.-- <-- (1) Subject to paragraph (2), in addition to any other penalty provided in this act, the board may, by a majority vote of its statutorily authorized membership, levy a civil penalty of up to [$2,500] $25,000 on any licensee who violates any provision of this act or any person who operates a private licensed school without being properly licensed under this act.
* * * (B.1) UNLICENSED TRAINING SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS.--IN ADDITION <-- TO ANY OTHER PENALTY PROVIDED IN THIS ACT, THE BOARD MAY, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF ITS STATUTORILY AUTHORIZED MEMBERSHIP, LEVY A CIVIL PENALTY OF UP TO $25,000 ON ANY PERSON WHO PROVIDES TRAINING WITHOUT BEING PROPERLY LICENSED UNDER THIS ACT.
A CIVIL PENALTY MAY ONLY BE ASSESSED ONCE PER VIOLATION.
PRIOR TO THE COLLECTION OF THE PENALTY, THE PERSON SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE HEARING PROCEDURE PROVIDED IN TITLE 2 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES.
20260SB1294PN168220260SB1294PN1611 - 2 -
Action History
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Act No. 50 of 2026, July 20, 2026
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Approved by the Governor, July 20, 2026
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Presented to the Governor, July 12, 2026
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Signed in House, July 12, 2026
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Signed in Senate, July 12, 2026
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Third consideration and final passage, July 12, 2026 (201-1)
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Re-reported as committed, July 12, 2026
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Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, June 29, 2026
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Second consideration, June 29, 2026
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Removed from table, June 29, 2026
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Laid on the table, June 16, 2026
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First consideration, June 16, 2026
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Reported as committed, June 16, 2026
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Referred to TRANSPORTATION, May 28, 2026
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In the House
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(Remarks see Senate Journal Page 276), May 6, 2026
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Third consideration and final passage, May 6, 2026 (48-2)
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Amended on third consideration, May 6, 2026 (27-23)
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(Remarks see Senate Journal Page 236), May 4, 2026
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Amended on third consideration, May 4, 2026
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Second consideration, April 21, 2026
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First consideration, April 20, 2026
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Reported as committed, April 20, 2026
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Referred to EDUCATION, April 17, 2026
Sponsors
- Elder A. Vogel · Cosponsor
- Lisa Baker · Cosponsor
- Scott Martin · Cosponsor
- Patrick J. Stefano · Cosponsor
- Wayne Langerholc · Cosponsor
- Scott E. Hutchinson · Cosponsor
- Kristin Phillips-Hill · Cosponsor
- Camera Bartolotta · Cosponsor
- Judy Ward · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 244 not signed on · 24 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Judy Ward Republican
Co-sponsors (8)
- Elder A. Vogel Republican
- Lisa Baker Republican
- Scott Martin Republican
- Patrick J. Stefano Republican
- Wayne Langerholc Republican
- Scott E. Hutchinson Republican
- Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican
- Camera Bartolotta Republican
Not signed on (244)
244 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 244 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 102 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 99 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 201 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (202)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail Salisbury | Democratic | Yea |
| Aerion Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Amen Brown | Democratic | Yea |
| Ana Tiburcio | Democratic | Yea |
| Andre D. Carroll | Democratic | Yea |
| Anita Astorino Kulik | Democratic | Yea |
| Anthony A. Bellmon | Democratic | Yea |
| Arvind Venkat | Democratic | Yea |
| Ben Waxman | Democratic | Yea |
| Benjamin V. Sanchez | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon J. Markosek | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Munroe | Democratic | Yea |
| Bridget M. Kosierowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Hill-Evans | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Kazeem | Democratic | Yea |
| Chris Pielli | Democratic | Yea |
| Christina D. Sappey | Democratic | Yea |
| Christopher M. Rabb | Democratic | Yea |
| Dan Frankel | Democratic | Yea |
| Dan Goughnour | Democratic | Yea |
| Dan K. Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Daniel J. Deasy | Democratic | Yea |
| Danielle Friel Otten | Democratic | Yea |
| Danilo Burgos | Democratic | Yea |
| Darisha K. Parker | Democratic | Yea |
| Dave Madsen | Democratic | Yea |
| David M. Delloso | Democratic | Yea |
| Ed Neilson | Democratic | Yea |
| Eddie Day Pashinski | Democratic | Yea |
| Elizabeth Fiedler | Democratic | Yea |
| Emily Kinkead | Democratic | Yea |
| Frank Burns | Democratic | Yea |
| G. Roni Green | Democratic | Yea |
| Gina H. Curry | Democratic | Yea |
| Greg Scott | Democratic | Yea |
| Greg Vitali | Democratic | Yea |
| Heather Boyd | Democratic | Yea |
| Ismail Smith-Wade-El | Democratic | Yea |
| Jacklyn Rusnock | Democratic | Yea |
| Jared G. Solomon | Democratic | Yea |
| Jason Dawkins | Democratic | Yea |
| Jeanne McNeill | Democratic | Yea |
| Jen Mazzocco | Democratic | Yea |
| Jennifer O'Mara | Democratic | Yea |
| Jessica Benham | Democratic | Yea |
| Jim Haddock | Democratic | Yea |
| Jim Prokopiak | Democratic | Yea |
| Joanna E. McClinton | Democratic | Yea |
| Joe Ciresi | Democratic | Yea |
| Joe McAndrew | Democratic | Yea |
| Joe Webster | Democratic | Yea |
| Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz | Democratic | Yea |
| John C. Inglis III | Democratic | Yea |
| Jordan A. Harris | Democratic | Yea |
| Jose Giral | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph C. Hohenstein | Democratic | Yea |
| Justin C. Fleming | Democratic | Yea |
| Keith S. Harris | Democratic | Yea |
| Kristine C. Howard | Democratic | Yea |
| Kyle Donahue | Democratic | Yea |
| Kyle J. Mullins | Democratic | Yea |
| La'Tasha D. Mayes | Democratic | Yea |
| Leanne Krueger | Democratic | Yea |
| Lindsay Powell | Democratic | Yea |
| Lisa A. Borowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Liz Hanbidge | Democratic | Yea |
| Malcolm Kenyatta | Democratic | Yea |
| Mandy Steele | Democratic | Yea |
| Manuel Guzman | Democratic | Yea |
| Mary Jo Daley | Democratic | Yea |
| MaryLouise Isaacson | Democratic | Yea |
| Matthew D. Bradford | Democratic | Yea |
| Maureen E. Madden | Democratic | Yea |
| Melissa Cerrato | Democratic | Yea |
| Melissa L. Shusterman | Democratic | Yea |
| Michael H. Schlossberg | Democratic | Yea |
| Morgan Cephas | Democratic | Yea |
| Nancy Guenst | Democratic | Yea |
| Napoleon J. Nelson | Democratic | Yea |
| Nathan Davidson | Democratic | Yea |
| Nikki Rivera | Democratic | Yea |
| Pat Gallagher | Democratic | Yea |
| Patrick J. Harkins | Democratic | Yea |
| Paul Friel | Democratic | Yea |
| Paul Takac | Democratic | Yea |
| Perry S. Warren | Democratic | Yea |
| Peter Schweyer | Democratic | Yea |
| Regina G. Young | Democratic | Yea |
| Rick Krajewski | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert E. Merski | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert F. Matzie | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert Freeman | Democratic | Yea |
| Ryan A. Bizzarro | Democratic | Yea |
| Scott Conklin | Democratic | Yea |
| Sean Dougherty | Democratic | Yea |
| Steve Samuelson | Democratic | Yea |
| Steven R. Malagari | Democratic | Yea |
| Tarah Probst | Democratic | Yea |
| Tarik Khan | Democratic | Yea |
| Tim Brennan | Democratic | Yea |
| Tim Briggs | Democratic | Yea |
| Tina M. Davis | Democratic | Yea |
| Aaron Bernstine | Republican | Yea |
| Abby Major | Republican | Yea |
| Alec J. Ryncavage | Republican | Yea |
| Andrea C. Verobish | Republican | Yea |
| Andrew Kuzma | Republican | Yea |
| Ann Flood | Republican | Yea |
| Barbara Gleim | Republican | Yea |
| Brad Roae | Republican | Yea |
| Brenda M. Pugh | Republican | Yea |
| Brett R. Miller | Republican | Yea |
| Brian C. Rasel | Republican | Yea |
| Brian Smith | Republican | Yea |
| Bryan Cutler | Republican | Yea |
| Bud Cook | Republican | Yea |
| Carl Walker Metzgar | Republican | Yea |
| Catherine I Wallen | Republican | Yea |
| Chad G. Reichard | Republican | Yea |
| Charity Grimm Krupa | Republican | Yea |
| Clint Owlett | Republican | Yea |
| Craig T. Staats | Republican | Yea |
| Craig Williams | Republican | Yea |
| Dallas Kephart | Republican | Yea |
| Dan Moul | Republican | Yea |
| Dane Watro | Republican | Yea |
| David H. Rowe | Republican | Yea |
| David H. Zimmerman | Republican | Yea |
| David M. Maloney | Republican | Yea |
| Donna Scheuren | Republican | Yea |
| Doyle Heffley | Republican | Yea |
| Eric Davanzo | Republican | Yea |
| Eric J. Weaknecht | Republican | Yea |
| Eric R. Nelson | Republican | Yea |
| Gary W. Day | Republican | Yea |
| George H Margetas | Republican | Yea |
| Jack Rader | Republican | Yea |
| Jacob D. Banta | Republican | Yea |
| James B. Struzzi | Republican | Yea |
| Jamie Barton | Republican | Yea |
| Jamie L. Flick | Republican | Yea |
| Jamie Walsh | Republican | Yea |
| Jason Ortitay | Republican | Yea |
| Jeff Olsommer | Republican | Yea |
| Jeremy Shaffer | Republican | Yea |
| Jesse Topper | Republican | Yea |
| Jill N. Cooper | Republican | Yea |
| Jim Rigby | Republican | Yea |
| Joanne Stehr | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Emrick | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Hamm | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Hogan | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Kerwin | Republican | Yea |
| John A. Lawrence | Republican | Yea |
| John A. Schlegel | Republican | Yea |
| Jonathan Fritz | Republican | Yea |
| Joseph D'Orsie | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Bashline | Republican | Yea |
| Joshua D. Kail | Republican | Yea |
| Kate A. Klunk | Republican | Yea |
| Kathleen C. Tomlinson | Republican | Yea |
| Kathy L. Rapp | Republican | Yea |
| Keith J. Greiner | Republican | Yea |
| Kerry A. Benninghoff | Republican | Yea |
| Kristin Marcell | Republican | Yea |
| Leslie Rossi | Republican | Yea |
| Marc S. Anderson | Republican | Yea |
| Marci Mustello | Republican | Yea |
| Mark M. Gillen | Republican | Yea |
| Marla Brown | Republican | Yea |
| Martin T. Causer | Republican | Yea |
| Martina A. White | Republican | Yea |
| Michael Stender | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Armanini | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Jones | Republican | Yea |
| Milou Mackenzie | Republican | Yea |
| Mindy Fee | Republican | Yea |
| Natalie Mihalek | Republican | Yea |
| Parke Wentling | Republican | Yea |
| Perry A. Stambaugh | Republican | Yea |
| R. Lee James | Republican | Yea |
| Rich Irvin | Republican | Yea |
| Rob W. Kauffman | Republican | Yea |
| Robert Leadbeter | Republican | Yea |
| Roman Kozak | Republican | Yea |
| Russ Diamond | Republican | Yea |
| Ryan Warner | Republican | Yea |
| Scott Barger | Republican | Yea |
| Shelby Labs | Republican | Yea |
| Sheryl M. Delozier | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie Borowicz | Republican | Nay |
| Steven C. Mentzer | Republican | Yea |
| Thomas H. Kutz | Republican | Yea |
| Thomas L. Mehaffie | Republican | Yea |
| Tim Twardzik | Republican | Yea |
| Timothy J. O'Neal | Republican | Yea |
| Timothy R. Bonner | Republican | Yea |
| Tina Pickett | Republican | Yea |
| Tom Jones | Republican | Yea |
| Valerie S. Gaydos | Republican | Yea |
| Wendy Fink | Republican | Yea |
| Zachary Mako | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 48 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 96% | 4% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (50)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda M. Cappelletti | Democratic | Yea |
| Anthony H. Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Art Haywood | Democratic | Nay |
| Carolyn T. Comitta | Democratic | Yea |
| Christine M. Tartaglione | Democratic | Yea |
| James Andrew Malone | Democratic | Yea |
| Jay Costa | Democratic | Yea |
| John I. Kane | Democratic | Yea |
| Judith L. Schwank | Democratic | Yea |
| Katie J. Muth | Democratic | Yea |
| Lindsey M. Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Lisa M. Boscola | Democratic | Yea |
| Maria Collett | Democratic | Yea |
| Marty Flynn | Democratic | Yea |
| Nick Miller | Democratic | Yea |
| Nick Pisciottano | Democratic | Yea |
| Nikil Saval | Democratic | Nay |
| Patty Kim | Democratic | Yea |
| Sharif Street | Democratic | Yea |
| Steven J. Santarsiero | Democratic | Yea |
| Timothy P. Kearney | Democratic | Yea |
| Vincent J. Hughes | Democratic | Yea |
| Wayne D. Fontana | Democratic | Yea |
| Camera Bartolotta | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Gebhard | Republican | Yea |
| Cris Dush | Republican | Yea |
| Daniel Laughlin | Republican | Yea |
| David G. Argall | Republican | Yea |
| Dawn W. Keefer | Republican | Yea |
| Devlin J. Robinson | Republican | Yea |
| Doug Mastriano | Republican | Yea |
| Elder A. Vogel | Republican | Yea |
| Frank A. Farry | Republican | Yea |
| Gene Yaw | Republican | Yea |
| Greg Rothman | Republican | Yea |
| Jarrett Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Picozzi | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Pittman | Republican | Yea |
| Judy Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kristin Phillips-Hill | Republican | Yea |
| Lisa Baker | Republican | Yea |
| Lynda Schlegel Culver | Republican | Yea |
| Michele Brooks | Republican | Yea |
| Patrick J. Stefano | Republican | Yea |
| Rosemary M. Brown | Republican | Yea |
| Scott E. Hutchinson | Republican | Yea |
| Scott Martin | Republican | Yea |
| Tracy Pennycuick | Republican | Yea |
| Wayne Langerholc | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 27 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 54% | 46% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (50)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda M. Cappelletti | Democratic | Nay |
| Anthony H. Williams | Democratic | Nay |
| Art Haywood | Democratic | Nay |
| Carolyn T. Comitta | Democratic | Nay |
| Christine M. Tartaglione | Democratic | Nay |
| James Andrew Malone | Democratic | Nay |
| Jay Costa | Democratic | Nay |
| John I. Kane | Democratic | Nay |
| Judith L. Schwank | Democratic | Nay |
| Katie J. Muth | Democratic | Nay |
| Lindsey M. Williams | Democratic | Nay |
| Lisa M. Boscola | Democratic | Nay |
| Maria Collett | Democratic | Nay |
| Marty Flynn | Democratic | Nay |
| Nick Miller | Democratic | Nay |
| Nick Pisciottano | Democratic | Nay |
| Nikil Saval | Democratic | Nay |
| Patty Kim | Democratic | Nay |
| Sharif Street | Democratic | Nay |
| Steven J. Santarsiero | Democratic | Nay |
| Timothy P. Kearney | Democratic | Nay |
| Vincent J. Hughes | Democratic | Nay |
| Wayne D. Fontana | Democratic | Nay |
| Camera Bartolotta | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Gebhard | Republican | Yea |
| Cris Dush | Republican | Yea |
| Daniel Laughlin | Republican | Yea |
| David G. Argall | Republican | Yea |
| Dawn W. Keefer | Republican | Yea |
| Devlin J. Robinson | Republican | Yea |
| Doug Mastriano | Republican | Yea |
| Elder A. Vogel | Republican | Yea |
| Frank A. Farry | Republican | Yea |
| Gene Yaw | Republican | Yea |
| Greg Rothman | Republican | Yea |
| Jarrett Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Picozzi | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Pittman | Republican | Yea |
| Judy Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kristin Phillips-Hill | Republican | Yea |
| Lisa Baker | Republican | Yea |
| Lynda Schlegel Culver | Republican | Yea |
| Michele Brooks | Republican | Yea |
| Patrick J. Stefano | Republican | Yea |
| Rosemary M. Brown | Republican | Yea |
| Scott E. Hutchinson | Republican | Yea |
| Scott Martin | Republican | Yea |
| Tracy Pennycuick | Republican | Yea |
| Wayne Langerholc | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 1294 do?
- Reinforcing Commercial Vehicle Safety
- Who sponsors SB 1294?
- SB 1294 is sponsored by Elder A. Vogel (Republican), Lisa Baker (Republican), Scott Martin (Republican), Patrick J. Stefano (Republican), Wayne Langerholc (Republican), Scott E. Hutchinson (Republican), Kristin Phillips-Hill (Republican), Camera Bartolotta (Republican), and Judy Ward (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 1294?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 17, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 1294?
- Track SB 1294 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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