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In this Update:

• The Fight Against Blight Continues!
• Expanding Higher Education Opportunities
• Strengthening Pennsylvania’s CDL Laws
• Protecting Children and Families from AI Deception
• New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
• Bill Protecting Fairness in Women’s Sports Awaits House Action

The Fight Against Blight Continues!

I was recently invited to speak at the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference in Pittsburgh. During the event, I shared how, working with leaders across Carbon, Schuylkill, and southern Luzerne counties, we have successfully breathed new life into many of our towns, including Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe, Shenandoah, Orwigsburg, Hazleton, Pottsville, and many others in between.

I also highlighted the bipartisan actions of the Statewide Blight Task Force which I chair, including Act 90 of 2010, which gave local municipalities more tools for code enforcement, Act 153 of 2012, which created the modern-day land bank, and Act 152 of 2016, which grants counties funding for demolition. Thanks to Act 152, 32 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties have completed over $31 million in successful county demolition efforts.

While this progress is important, we still have MUCH work to do!

Expanding Higher Education Opportunities

Higher education is getting closer to home—and that’s a big win for our region!

I was recently invited to the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce’s Higher Education Summit, where we discussed expanding opportunities and making college more affordable.

I highlighted the progress happening right here in our backyard:

• Bringing Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Morgan Center to Tamaqua
• Bringing Alvernia University’s CollegeTowne to Pottsville
• Preserving Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Schuylkill
• Bringing Temple’s new Dental Education Center and Clinic to Tamaqua—the first of its kind in Pennsylvania

These investments are expanding educational opportunities AND economic engines preparing the next generation of nurses, dentists, business leaders, educators, and other professionals—right here!

Strengthening Pennsylvania’s CDL Laws

After the terrible accident which cost State Trooper Michael Pahira his life on I-81 near Minersville in July, many local people have been asking me to strengthen our laws regarding unqualified truck drivers.

I find it deeply troubling that Governor Shapiro has joined a lawsuit challenging federal access to state commercial driver’s license (CDL) records. For nearly four decades, CDL information systems have helped states and federal transportation officials identify disqualified or unqualified commercial drivers and keep dangerous operators off our roads.

The General Assembly recently acted with Act 50 of 2026, which I supported. The measure cracks down on unauthorized CDL mills. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1295 and Senate Bill 1296 to strengthen commercial driver qualifications, English proficiency requirements, and disqualification standards. Both bills are awaiting action in the PA House.

The loss of Trooper Pahira is a painful reminder that we must do everything we can to make sure every commercial driver on our highways is properly trained, properly licensed, and qualified to operate a tractor-trailer safely.

Protecting Children and Families from AI Deception

It’s critical for state laws to keep up with fast-evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, especially as it relates to protecting our children online. I’m proud of our work to address the alarming rise in AI-generated sexual images of children, as well as non-consenting adults, through  Act 125 of 2024 which gives prosecutors the ability to go after criminals who create “deepfake” AI images of minors and child sexual abuse materials.

Previously, Pennsylvania law made it illegal to share intimate images without consent, and Act 125 took it a step further to combat the use of AI technology for this purpose and prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material. As technology continues to advance, we must be vigilant in making sure proper safeguards are put in place.

New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing

Legislation we unanimously passed enacting stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect next month.

Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:

• Prohibiting telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. and on Sundays.
• Requiring prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages.
• Prohibiting telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers.
• Requiring telemarketers to stop a solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.

The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers. The new law takes effect Oct. 19.

Bill Protecting Fairness in Women’s Sports Awaits House Action

As students across Pennsylvania return to school, it is past time for the commonwealth to ensure fairness for women and girls taking part in collegiate and high school sports.

Earlier this year, at the urging of students and parents, the Senate approved bipartisan legislation – twice – to preserve opportunities for female athletes at public schools and colleges by requiring scholastic sports teams to be designated based on biological sex. Senate Bill 1293 would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule.

Month after month, the House leadership has avoided voting on this reasonable legislation grounded in fairness. The bill has been moved to multiple House committees in a series of parliamentary maneuvers to avoid a vote.

The longer the House delays, the more female athletes are at risk of being unfairly forced off the field or the winner’s podium. We must enact the Save Women’s Sports Act to restore common sense to scholastic sports.