Senator Gebhard E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Senate Acts to Provide Funding for Local Bridge Projects
  • Legislation to Make PA Leader in Drone Research Approved by Senate
  • Children in Hot Cars: Look Before You Lock
  • Protecting Yourself on Facebook Marketplace
  • Sunday Hunting Days Set for 2025
  • Concealed Carry Seminar on Sep 25 at Cabela’s
  • Tuesday is National Night Out
  • Local Events

Senate Acts to Provide Funding for Local Bridge Projects

The Senate recently approved legislation to provide state funding for local bridge projects, giving counties the flexibility needed to make essential repairs to municipal bridges.

Currently, state Motor License Fund dollars can be used to build and repair county bridges. However, spending guidance fails to address if funding can be used for municipal bridges located within a county.

As a result, municipal bridges often go without repair while bridge funding goes unused due to ambiguous guidance. Senate Bill 205 would give counties the flexibility they need to fund local bridge projects. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Legislation to Make PA Leader in Drone Research Approved by Senate

Legislation to position Pennsylvania as a national leader in the emerging drone industry was approved by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 468 permits the state Department of Transportation, with the governor’s approval, to engage in agreements with other states to facilitate the research and use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones.

An interstate compact would make Pennsylvania a key player in UAS testing, training and education, helping to ensure public safety, expand aviation jobs and inspire business development across the commonwealth.

Children in Hot Cars: Look Before You Lock

In 2024, 39 children died of heatstroke in vehicles – up 35% from 2023. Most of these deaths are a result of a parent or caregiver forgetting a child in a car.

  • Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time. Rolling windows down or parking in the shade does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle.
  • Make it a habit to check your entire vehicle – especially the back seat – before locking the doors and walking away.
  • Place a personal item like a purse or briefcase in the back seat, as another reminder to look before you lock.
  • Store car keys and fobs out of a child’s reach and teach children that a vehicle is not a play area.

More information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is available here.

Protecting Yourself on Facebook Marketplace 

Transactions through social media platforms have limited consumer protections compared to traditional business dealings, and scams happen.

In a recent case, a Fayette County family was scammed with fake cash when selling a floor buffer on Facebook Marketplace. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating.

There are steps you can take to protect yourself with Facebook Marketplace, such as checking the seller’s Marketplace profile to learn more about them, using online payment methods and verifying the item before paying. Check out more tips here.

Sunday Hunting Days Set for 2025

The new Sunday hunting days for 2025 have been set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Beginning Sept. 14, and through the second Sunday in firearms deer season Dec. 7, all Sundays that fall within established hunting seasons will be included as part of those seasons and open to hunting.

Migratory game bird seasons are the lone exception. No Sundays will be added to the 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons because those seasons are set through federal frameworks and adding any Sundays at this time would result in a loss of hunting days in 2025-26. You can find more details here.

Concealed Carry Seminar on Sep 25 at Cabela’s

I will be hosting a Concealed Carry Seminar with Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124) on Sep. 25, 6-8 p.m. at Cabela’s, 100 Cabela Dr, Hamburg.

The event will feature information about Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws, the Castle Doctrine, reciprocity laws, and how to safely interact with law enforcement while carrying a firearm.

Berks County Sheriff, Mandy Miller, will lead the discussion and answer questions about Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws. This is a great opportunity to become better informed and ask questions in an educational setting. We hope to see you there!

You can RSVP online at https://senatorgebhard.com/psrc-events/ccs-092525/ or call 717-274-6735.

Tuesday is National Night Out

National Night Out takes place Tuesday, Aug. 5. It’s an annual community-building campaign promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.

Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations and more. You can find a list of events in the 48th district in the section below.

Local Events

Friday, August 1-3: Middle Creek Wildlife Art Show
100 Museum Rd, Stevens (Lancaster, PA)
Click here

Saturday, August 2, 9am-4pm: PABA’s Blacksmith Day
298 Highland Rd, Wernersville (Berks, PA)
Click here

Saturday, August 2, 9am-3pm: Berks History Center Founders Day
940 Centre Ave, Reading (Berks, PA)
Click here

Tuesday, August 5, 6pm-8pm: National Night Out- Lebanon City Police
1031 Guilford St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Tuesday, August 5, 5pm-8pm: National Night Out- Hilltop Playground
7th St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Tuesday, August 5, 6pm-9pm: Jackson Township
S Fairlane Ave, Myerstown (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Tuesday, August 5, 5:30pm-8:30pm: National Night Out- Wester Lebanon Regional Police
798 Airport Rd, Palmyra (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Tuesday, August 5, 6pm-8pm: National Night Out- Cornwall Police
The Park at Cornwall Center (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Tuesday, August 5, 5:30pm-8:30pm: National Night Out- Sinking Spring & South Heidelberg Police
Sinking Spring Playground (Berks, PA)
Click here

Tuesday, August 5, 6pm-9pm: National Night Out- Northern Berks County
1216 Hilltop Rd, Leesport (Berks, PA)
Click here

Friday, August 8, 6-8:30pm: Summer Concert Series
4899 Stoudts Ferry Bridge Road, Reading (Berks, PA)
Click here

Saturday, August 9, 8-10am: 5th Annual James Biever Memorial Run
The Lebanon Valley Rail to Trail at Lebanon Expo Center (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, August 24, 11am-3pm: Den Tech 9th Annual Car & Bike Show
2800 N. Reading Rd, Adamstown (Lancaster, PA)
Click here

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