News & Views

HB 279 – Driver’s Licenses for All: Current Status

House Bill 279 will allow residents of Pennsylvania to legally obtain a driver’s license with a Tax ID Number, or ITIN, a federally issued identifier used to pay taxes by those who do not have a social security number.

Currently HB 279 is in consideration before the PA Transportation Committee. While there is no way to predict the timeline of this legislation, on August 11th a hearing has been called in Harrisburg to discuss HB279. This is an exciting development, as a vote within the committee is essential for the bill to get to the whole house. The Driving PA Forward Coalition will be in attendance next week at the hearing to show their support. At least 10 Coalition members will be sharing their testimony regarding the importance of Driver’s Licenses For All. If you are unable to attend the hearing, please check out the Driving PA Forward Facebook page for a Facebook livestream of the hearing at 10am on August 11th.

From across Pennsylvania we can let the Transportation Committee representatives know we support HB 279: Driver’s Licenses for All. By gathering our families, friends, neighbors, and community to fill out an electronic action, we raise our collective voice in support of HB 279.

 

Background on Legislative Process in Pennsylvania:

Once a bill is created and drafted by one or more legislators, it is assigned to a standing committee. The Committee considers the bill, holds hearings, takes evidence, and decides whether to support the bill. If the Committee supports the bill, it is presented to the entire chamber (House or Senate) on three separate days for consideration.

If the bill requires an expenditure of funds or results in a loss of revenue, the bill must be sent to the Appropriations Committee while it is being considered.

During its days of consideration, legislators may debate or comment on the bill. On the third day of consideration, the entire chamber votes on the bill. If the chamber approves the bill, it is sent to the other chamber for approval, repeating the review process and chamber vote.

Once both chambers have passed identical versions of the bill, it is sent to the Governor to sign.

Sources:

https://drexellaw.libguides.com/c.php?g=366032&p=2473350

https://drivingpaforward.org/

TONIGHT (4/20) - Join us ONLINE at the 2023 Golden Door Awards!

Join us ONLINE at 6:45PM TONIGHT, Thursday, April 20th, for HIAS PA's 2023 Golden Door Awards: United for Immigrants!

Happy Passover from HIAS Pennsylvania!HIAS PA is closed in observance of the Jewish holiday of Passover

HIAS Pennsylvania will be closed in observance of the Jewish holiday of Passover from 1PM on Wednesday, April 5th through Friday, April 7th, and on Wednesday, April 12th and Thursday, April 13th.

Join us at the 2023 Golden Door Awards!United for Immigrants

The Golden Door Awards is HIAS Pennsylvania's annual fundraiser. Your generous support helps us serve low-income immigrants from all over the world as they build new lives in our community.

Building closed until further noticeHIAS PA remains open!

HIAS PA’s physical offices at 600 Chestnut Street are CLOSED until further notice due to a burst pipe in the building.

Our organization remains open, and HIAS PA staff continue to work remotely at this time.

Please call (215) 832-0900 with any questions.

Building closed until further noticeHIAS PA remains open!

HIAS PA’s physical offices at 600 Chestnut Street are CLOSED until further notice due to a burst pipe in the building.

Our organization remains open, and HIAS PA staff continue to work remotely at this time.

Please call (215) 832-0900 with any questions.

TONIGHT: Join us at the table!Join us for Thankful Together!

Thankful Together, formerly known as Refugee Thanksgiving, is happening TONIGHT at 6PM!

Register here to join us tonight: https://hiaspa1.wpengine.com/event/thankful-together-2021/

Celebrate our volunteers who make this all possible!Click here at 11:45AM to join our Annual Meeting!

Click here to join our virtual Annual Meeting!

The Annual Meeting starts at noon, but join us at 11:45AM for an informal chat before the event!

POSTPONED! Speed Advocacy: Afghanistan

Today's Speed Advocacy: Afghanistan Facebook Live event has been postponed due to a worldwide Facebook outage. We will update you as soon as possible about rescheduling the event.