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HB 2549

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, providing for contributions for the deaf and hard of hearing and for contributions for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Borowski and 18 co-sponsors

Pennsylvanians can donate $5 online at renewals to fund the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Office’s communication-access initiatives, with annual reporting and admin cost reimbursements.

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Bill Summary · HB 2549

Overview

HB 2549 (Session 2025-2026, Pennsylvania) would amend Title 75 (Vehicles) to create a designated funding stream for the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH). The bill authorizes voluntary $5 contributions to ODHH from individuals renewing a driver’s license/ID card or renewing a vehicle registration via the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) online system. The funds are intended solely to support communication access for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish a mechanism for the public to contribute $5 to the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing when renewing licenses, identification cards, or vehicle registrations online.
  • Directly support discounted, improved, or expanded communication access services and related activities for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
  • Provide a transparent process for collecting and reporting the contributions and for reimbursing the Motor License Fund for any administration costs incurred.

Key provisions and changes

  • (a) Contributions:

    • Within one year of the subsection’s effective date, PennDOT must enable electronic contributions of $5 via its public Internet portal at renewal time for:
    • Driver’s license or ID card renewal.
    • Vehicle registration renewal.
    • Each renewal may include one $5 contribution.

  • (b) Implementation:

    • The $5 contribution is added to the regular renewal fee (for the applicable renewal type).
    • Only one contribution may be made per renewal event.

  • (c) Use of funds:

    • Contributions must be used exclusively by the ODHH to provide communication access for the deaf and hard of hearing.

  • (d) Deposits and financial handling:

    • The department annually determines the total contributions and reports the amount to the State Treasurer.
    • The State Treasurer transfers the contributed funds from the Motor License Fund to the ODHH.

  • (e) Information and accessibility:

    • The department must provide clear information about the contribution, including the ODHH mailing address for additional contributions.

  • (f) Reporting:

    • The ODHH must annually report to relevant Senate and House Labor and Industry committees on:
    • The amount received via the contributions.
    • How the funds were used.

  • (g) Reimbursement:

    • ODHH must reimburse the Motor License Fund for the actual administrative costs incurred by PennDOT in administering this program.

  • (h) Definition:

    • “Office” refers to the ODHH as established under the 1986 Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing framework within the Department of Labor and Industry.

  • (Section 2) Effective date:

    • The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Who/what is affected

  • PennDOT and its electronic renewal systems (licenses, IDs, and vehicle registrations) will implement the online $5 contribution option.
  • The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) would receive and administer the designated funds.
  • Motor License Fund would process reimbursements and transfers related to program administration.
  • Deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and allies could donate to support accessibility services.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Implementation timeline: The contribution mechanism must be available within one year of the subsection’s effective date.
  • Annual reporting: ODHH must provide yearly financial and usage reports to specified legislative committees.
  • Administrative costs: ODHH must reimburse PennDOT for actual costs incurred in administering the contribution program.

Fiscal and administrative considerations

  • The bill creates a dedicated funding stream to ODHH via voluntary contributions.
  • It requires annual accounting and transparency, including reporting to the Legislature and ensuring funds are used specifically for communication access.
  • Reimbursement provisions ensure PennDOT is not financially burdened beyond the standard costs of administration.

Summary

HB 2549 seeks to empower Pennsylvanians to support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Office through a voluntary $5 online contribution tied to standard renewal transactions. It designates the funds exclusively for ODHH’s communication-access initiatives, with structured reporting, annual deposits, and reimbursement of administrative costs to PennDOT. The bill requires implementation within a year of enactment and 60 days to take effect.

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

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