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HB 2681

An Act designating a portion of Pennsylvania Route 611 from the intersection with Old Easton Road to the intersection with Kellers Church Road in Plumstead Township, Bucks County, as the Joseph Kay Memorial Highway.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Gillen and 5 co-sponsors

Designates a portion of PA Route 611 in Bucks County as the Joseph Kay Memorial Highway with PennDOT signage honoring Joseph Kay’s community service and life.

Referred to Transportation
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2681

Overview

HB 2681 (2025-2026 Session, Pennsylvania) designates a specific segment of Pennsylvania Route 611 in Bucks County as the Joseph Kay Memorial Highway. The designation recognizes the life, service, and community contributions of Joseph W. "Joey" Kay.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a memorial designation for Joseph W. Kay by naming a portion of PA Route 611 as the Joseph Kay Memorial Highway.
  • Acknowledge Kay’s local ties to Bucks County, his community service, achievements in auto racing, and his work as an electrician.

Key provisions

  • Designation area:
    • The portion of Pennsylvania Route 611 from the intersection with Old Easton Road to the intersection with Kellers Church Road in Plumstead Township, Bucks County.
  • Signage:
    • The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) shall erect and maintain signs recognizing the Joseph Kay Memorial Highway in both directions along the designated segment.
  • Effective date:
    • The act becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Findings and background (as provided in the bill)

  • Joseph W. Kay’s background:
    • Born May 8, 1989, in Doylestown.
    • 2007 graduate of Central Bucks East High School; pursued electrical work at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
  • Community and service:
    • Active in the Bucks County area; volunteer with the Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company; named Firefighter of the Year in 2012.
    • Worked with his father at John W. Kay Electrical Contractors in Richboro.
  • Athletics:
    • Race car driver in the Mid-Atlantic Racing Sprint Series and at Action Track USA.
  • Family and survivors:
    • Survived by wife Rachel, parents, in-laws, siblings, nieces, and nephews; preceded in death by certain grandparents (as listed in the bill).

Who is affected

  • General public and motorists along the designated segment of PA Route 611 will see memorial signage.
  • PennDOT is responsible for installation and ongoing maintenance of the signage.
  • Local community in Plumstead Township and Bucks County as the designation honors a local resident.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduction date: June 29, 2026.
  • Referral: Referred to the Committee on Transportation on June 30, 2026.
  • Effective date: 60 days after enactment (as specified in Section 2).

Summary of impact

  • The bill provides a symbolic designation to honor Joseph Kay and preserves his memory within the local community.
  • It imposes a signage obligation on PennDOT to clearly mark the memorial highway segment in both directions.
  • The designation is ceremonial and does not alter traffic laws or road management beyond signage and recognition.

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

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