PA HB257

Redirects interactive gaming tax revenues to fund public transportation and highway construction, transferring $87.5 million each to the Public Transportation Trust Fund and a new Supplemental Funding for Three and Four Digit State Routes Account in fiscal year 2025-2026, plus $43 million annually to each thereafter.

Creates mandatory fare increases for local transportation organizations tied to Consumer Price Index adjustments, with initial increases required by January 1, 2026, and biennial increases thereafter, while raising local match requirements from 15% to 20% for metropolitan authorities that transfer capital funds to operations.

Establishes new criminal offenses including interference with public transit vehicle operators (first-degree felony for causing serious bodily injury or death) and operating controlled substance injection sites within 2,500 feet of transit infrastructure (felony with up to 20 years imprisonment and $500,000 fine).

Extends and strengthens the special prosecutor for mass transit crimes in Philadelphia through December 31, 2035, making the position a full-time Commonwealth employee with four-year terms and requiring residence in a first-class county.

Requires annual performance evaluations for transit agencies serving populations over 600,000, with criteria covering fiscal stability, safety and security measures, fare evasion reduction, and public-private partnership exploration for transportation facilities.