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Bill

HB 2673

An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for preventive services coverage.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aerion Abney and 16 co-sponsors

Creates a voluntary $5/$10 online contribution to local fire companies during vehicle-related transactions, with funds distributed by the State Fire Commissioner.

Referred to Insurance
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Bill Summary · HB 2673

Summary of HB 2673 (Session 2025-2026, Pennsylvania)

Purpose and intent

  • Proposes to create a mechanism for Pennsylvanians to voluntarily contribute money to their local fire company when engaging in common vehicle-related transactions (applying or renewing licenses, identifications, and vehicle registrations).
  • Establishes a dedicated Local Fire Company Fund to receive and distribute these voluntary contributions to local fire companies.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1325 (Contributions to local fire companies)

    • Option on the department’s website for:
    • $5 contribution to the local fire company when applying for an original or renewal driver’s license or ID.
    • $5 contribution to the local fire company when renewing a vehicle registration.
    • $10 contribution to the local fire company when purchasing a two-year vehicle registration.
    • Implementation details:
    • Contributions are added to the regular fees for the applicable services.
    • A single contribution may cover multiple related transactions (e.g., issuance/renewal of a license or ID and a vehicle registration renewal).
    • Fund handling:
    • Money collected quarterly transfers from the Motor License Fund to the Local Fire Company Fund.
    • The department must itemize contributions by jurisdiction (city, township, borough, incorporated town) based on the registered vehicle owners’ addresses and report to the State Fire Commissioner.
    • The State Fire Commissioner distributes funds to local fire companies in the amounts specified in the jurisdictional report.
    • Reimbursement:
    • The State Fire Commissioner may reimburse the Motor License Fund for actual administrative costs incurred in administering this section.

  • Section 1905 (Payments to special funds) – addition of subsection (e): Local Fire Company Fund

    • Establishes the Local Fire Company Fund as a separate fund in the State Treasury.
    • All money in the fund is appropriated on a continuing basis to the State Fire Commissioner to pay the contributions to local fire companies as collected under section 1325.

  • Effective date

    • Takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Who and what is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Local fire companies across Pennsylvania, which would receive additional voluntary contributions from residents.
  • Pennsylvanians who engage with the Department of Transportation for driver’s licenses, IDs, and vehicle registrations (originals, renewals, and two-year registrations).
  • State and local government entities:
    • Department of Transportation (for administration and collection of contributions)
    • State Fire Commissioner (receipt and distribution of funds to local fire companies)
    • Local fire departments (as recipients of funds)

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Contributions are voluntary, collected at the point of common vehicle-related transactions, and added to existing fees.
  • Funds are transferred quarterly from the Motor License Fund to the new Local Fire Company Fund.
  • The department must prepare quarterly, jurisdiction-specific reports detailing contributions by area, which inform distributions to local fire companies.
  • The State Fire Commissioner is responsible for distributing funds according to the reported amounts and for reimbursing the Motor License Fund for administrative costs.
  • 60-day effective date after enactment.

Potential impact (high-level)

  • Increases voluntary funding streams for local fire companies, potentially improving financial stability and capacity for services.
  • Creates a transparent, auditable mechanism linking contributor payments to specific localities and fire departments.
  • Minimal administrative burden on contributors, with optional opt-in via existing online processes.
  • The overall effect depends on public uptake of the voluntary contributions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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