(1/2023)  New Law Aims to Protect Motorists from Snow, Ice

A new state law is in effect that requires drivers to remove ice or snow from their vehicles within 24 hours of a storm. Act 90 of 2022, known as Christine’s Law in memory of Christine Lambert, who was killed when a large piece of ice dislodged from a passing box truck and crashed through the windshield of the vehicle she was driving, aims to prevent such tragedies. It gives police officers the discretion to pull over and fine drivers $50 if their vehicles have a buildup of ice or snow that poses a potential hazard. If snow or ice does dislodge from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian resulting in serious bodily injury or death, drivers could be fined $200-$1,500 for each offense. Christine’s Law went into effect in September.

Law Allows for Faster Receipt of Childcare Background Clearances

Pennsylvanians applying for childcare clearances can receive most results electronically thanks to a new law passed earlier this session. Act 12 of 2022 allows certain employers to conditionally hire an individual for up to 45 days before all required childcare clearances are obtained. The goal is to avoid the weeks-long delay that comes while waiting for clearances to arrive via the U.S. Mail. The delay often prevented the timely hiring of employees and caused businesses and nonprofits to limit work and programs due to short staffing. Businesses also asked for help in obtaining electronic FBI clearances – another logjam in the hiring process. Over the course of 18 months, a bipartisan group of lawmakers also worked this out with state agencies and the Pennsylvania State Police. Now, FBI background checks can be applied for online and an electronic result received in as quickly as one day. Previously, the results were received in 3-13 weeks. The shortened timeline will further safeguard children, aid applicants in securing employment, and help employers fill positions that serve children. In addition to any email notification, all applicants will still receive results transmitted by U.S. mail.

American Battlefield Trust Costing You More

A number of Adams County properties have been purchased by the American Battlefield Trust (ABT), also known as the Civil War Trust, then torn down and replaced by weeds. While we all may have assumed the sacrifice of these properties is part of a grand battlefield preservation program, there is much more going on here. ABT is a non-profit based in Washington, D.C. It is acquiring properties such as Mulligan MacDuffers Golf Course and nearby homes, General Pickett’s Buffet and parking lot, Larsons Quality Inn, the Appalachian Brewing Company property, the World War II Museum and more, and is petitioning Congress to take them over.

Why should you care? Because turning these properties over to the federal government means they will no longer provide jobs and invite commerce as they once did. Worse still is the fact that they have been or will be removed from the tax rolls. Our local and county governments and our schools are already missing out on about $1 million annually in lost tax revenue for the land that has been acquired thus far. That means the rest of us must pay more to make up the difference.

The trouble is, the cost of our schools, police protection, snow removal, road repairs and other necessary maintenance and local government services, continue to rise. Thanks to ABT, there is less revenue to cover it.

Another little-known fact concerning the ABT’s acquisition of Adams County properties is that in addition to the donations it receives, it is pocketing taxpayer funded grants. In fact, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently gave ABT a $535,000 state grant. They also receive federal grants as well. Yes, YOUR tax money is being used to help ABT acquire Adams County property and turn it over to the federal government – along with the jobs and revenue it has the potential to produce.

In an effort to protect taxpayers, I asked ABT to escrow as much as 20 years of taxes on the properties it acquires to defray sharp tax increases for local residents. It rejected my proposal.

So, I am taking action to prevent ABT from receiving any additional state or federal grant funding. On Monday, I asked the Gettysburg School Board, who relies heavily on local tax revenue, to support my efforts. I will also seek the assistance of our congressman, John Joyce, and other members of Congress, to prevent ABT from obtaining any federal grants.

While I certainly support the preservation of our history and heritage, ABT must consider the pain it is inflicting on local taxpayers, local government and our school district. If you share my concern, feel free to contact me at dmoul@pahousegop.com, and Congressman John Joyce at johnjoyce.house.gov, and reach out to any other member of Congress you may know. Tell them how you feel about this issue and how it affects you.

REAL ID Deadline Extended to 2025

Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is extending the REAL ID enforcement date by 24 months, to May 7, 2025. As of that date, you will need to present a federally accepted form of identification to board a commercial domestic flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door. Federally accepted forms of identification include a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, or a military ID. REAL ID is not mandatory. PennDOT continues to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs.