Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB398

Introduced
1/28/25  

Caption

In authority of Department of Transportation, further providing for aircraft for official use.

Impact

The proposed legislation aims to prevent misuse of government-operated flights, reinforcing the official use of aircraft while tracking their usage through the maintenance of a publicly accessible flight log. This log is intended to provide transparency by detailing information such as the purpose of each flight and the involved personnel, thereby increasing accountability among public officials when utilizing taxpayer resources for travel.

Summary

House Bill 398 proposes amendments to Title 74 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically regarding the aircraft used for official purposes by Commonwealth agencies and the General Assembly. The bill clarifies the procedures involving the purchase, leasing, and maintenance of such aircraft, ensuring they are utilized strictly for official business. This includes establishing mandatory declarations to affirm that official flights will not be employed for political activities or personal reasons, highlighting the intent to maintain integrity in governmental operations.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding HB398 appears to be supportive among committee members advocating for stricter regulations and greater accountability in government spending, particularly in the use of public resources. The bill seems to draw consensus on the need for oversight to prevent potential abuses that could arise from utilizing aircraft meant for official duties, although it may prompt discussions on the balance of operational flexibility for government agencies.

Contention

Notable contentions may arise regarding the limits placed on who can utilize these official flights, particularly concerning lobbyists and individuals connected to lobbying groups, which could be seen as an excessive restriction by some. Moreover, while the commitment to transparency is commendable, there may be debates about the operational complexities that arise when strictly adhering to these new regulations. Consequently, the bill could trigger discussions about how to best balance integrity with the practical needs of public officials conducting state business.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2318

In authority of Department of Transportation, further providing for aircraft for official use.

PA SB572

In ethics standards and financial disclosure, further providing for definitions, for restricted activities, for statement of financial interests and for penalties; in lobbying disclosure, further providing for definitions, for reporting and for penalties; and, in Turnpike Commission standards of conduct, further providing for code of conduct.

PA HB2108

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for organization of commission, providing for prohibition and further providing for accountability.

PA SB420

In licensing of drivers, further providing for schedule of convictions and points; in rules of the road in general, further providing for speed timing devices; and, in powers of department and local authorities, further providing for specific powers of department and local authorities.

PA HB980

In lobbying disclosure, further providing for registration, for reporting, for exemption from registration and reporting and for administration; and making an editorial change.

PA HB902

In transportation network companies, further providing for impoundment of vehicles, repealing provisions relating to assessment and providing for payment of assessment; in taxation for public transportation, further providing for local financial support; in fees, further providing for fee for local use; and imposing duties on the Department of Revenue and the Department of Transportation.

PA HB569

In powers and duties of elected officials, further providing for powers of council and providing for waiver.

PA HB1307

In taxation for public transportation, further providing for local financial support; and, in fees, further providing for fee for local use.

PA SB657

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in requirements and prohibitions, providing for Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association; in access, further providing for open-records officer, for appeals officer, for regulations and policies, for requests and for retention of records; in procedure, further providing for requests, for written requests, for electronic access, for creation of record, for production of certain records and for exceptions for public records; in agency response, further providing for general rule and for extension of time; in appeal of agency determination, further providing for filing of appeal and for appeals officers; in judicial review, further providing for civil penalty and for Office of Open Records; and, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for relation to other laws.

PA SB502

In municipal authorities, further providing for definitions, providing for public safety authorities and further providing for purposes and powers.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.