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State Legislature

Pennsylvania Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act

Status: DebateState: PennsylvaniaIssue: Infrastructure
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Summary

The bill funds broadband expansion, smart infrastructure upgrades, stronger cybersecurity and emergency communications, digital government services, workforce training, and public technology access, prioritizing underserved Pennsylvania communities.

Full text

The General Assembly finds and declares that:

  1. Reliable high-speed internet, secure public technology systems and resilient utility infrastructure are necessary for economic growth, workforce development, education, health care, emergency response and public safety.
  2. Rural, low-income and underserved communities may face disproportionate barriers to obtaining reliable broadband service and modern public infrastructure.
  3. State investments should encourage durable infrastructure, transparent spending, local workforce participation, interoperability and strong cybersecurity protections.
  4. The purpose of this act is to provide coordinated funding for infrastructure and technology projects that improve access, resilience, security and public service delivery throughout this Commonwealth.Deployment of affordable, reliable high-speed broadband infrastructure, with priority for unserved and underserved areas.
    2. Modernization of roads, bridges, water systems, wastewater systems, stormwater systems and public facilities through sensors, asset-management technology and resilience improvements.
    3. Cybersecurity upgrades for municipalities, school districts, public utilities and other eligible public-serving entities, including secure backups, multifactor authentication, staff training and incident-response planning.
    4. Modernization of public safety communications, emergency-alert systems and interoperable communications equipment.
    5. Technology upgrades that improve access to State and local government services, including accessible online portals, digital identity protections and multilingual service delivery.
    6. Workforce-development programs that prepare Pennsylvanians for broadband, construction technology, cybersecurity, utility modernization and related careers.
    7. Community technology centers, public Wi-Fi installations and digital-literacy programs in underserved communities.

Sponsor

ShaaRepublican Party

Cosponsors

Live floor coveragePennsylvania Chamber
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Pennsylvania Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act

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Mr. Presiding Officer, I rise in support of this bill because Pennsylvania’s small businesses cannot compete in a modern economy with unreliable internet, outdated public systems, or emergency communications that fail when needed. I agree with the speakers who have warned that modernization must earn taxpayers’ trust. As a business owner, I would never invest without asking what improves, who is accountable, and when results will be measured. This bill connects underserved communities, strengthens cybersecurity, and trains workers for real jobs. That is not technology for its own sake; it is practical infrastructure for Pennsylvania’s Main Streets.
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Mr. Presiding Officer, I rise in support of this bill, but support is not a blank check. The speakers before us have rightly emphasized that modernization must produce reliable service, measurable results, and respect for taxpayers. As a prosecutor, I learned that good intentions do not substitute for evidence, safeguards, or accountability. Pennsylvania should expand broadband and emergency communications, but it must also protect public data, prevent waste, and require clear performance reporting. This bill connects underserved communities to opportunity while strengthening the systems first responders and residents rely on. That is infrastructure worth funding.
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Mr. Presiding Officer, I rise in support of this bill, especially because the debate has rightly centered on accountability and infrastructure that works in the real world. In coastal Maine, I learned that a system is tested not on a calm day, but during a storm, a spill, or a communications failure. Pennsylvania’s broadband, emergency networks, and cybersecurity must be built with that same resilience in mind. I also urge practical attention to underserved rural communities, where access can determine whether a small business survives, a student learns, or first responders coordinate effectively. Modernization should be measured by dependable service, not impressive promises.
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Mr. Presiding Officer, this debate has rightly moved beyond whether Pennsylvania needs modernization to whether this bill will deliver it responsibly. In business, an investment is not successful because money was spent; it is successful because service improves, downtime falls, and people can see the difference. That standard should guide broadband expansion, cybersecurity, emergency communications, and digital government alike. I support prioritizing underserved communities, but I also expect clear performance measures, responsible procurement, and workforce training that leads to real jobs. Pennsylvania can modernize without writing a blank check, and this bill is a practical step in that direction.
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Mr. Presiding Officer, I rise in support of this bill because the question before us is not whether Pennsylvania should chase technology, but whether its infrastructure can be trusted when people need it. The speakers have rightly emphasized measurable results and taxpayer stewardship. From Alaska’s energy sector, I learned that systems must be built for difficult conditions, maintained over time, and protected from disruption. Broadband for underserved communities, stronger emergency communications, and cybersecurity are not luxuries; they are practical necessities. With clear standards and workforce training, this bill can deliver modernization that serves families, businesses, and first responders.
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Mr. Presiding Officer, I appreciate the repeated reminder that modernization must earn the taxpayer’s trust. That is not a side concern; it is the standard. Pennsylvania families deserve broadband that reaches their homes, emergency systems that function when lives are at risk, and public technology that protects rather than exposes their information. This bill also recognizes that equipment alone is not enough—we need workers trained to build, maintain, and secure these systems. Good stewardship means clear goals, honest reporting, and correction when projects fall short. With that discipline, I urge support for this practical investment.
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Mr. Presiding Officer, I rise in support of this bill, while agreeing with the repeated warning that modernization must earn the taxpayer’s trust. Pennsylvania does not need technology for its own sake; it needs dependable tools that help families work, businesses compete, and first responders do their jobs. Broadband access and digital services should reach underserved communities, but cybersecurity must be treated as a foundation, not an afterthought. With clear benchmarks, responsible oversight, and workforce training tied to real opportunities, this measure can strengthen Pennsylvania without turning public investment into an empty promise.
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Mr. Presiding Officer, I support this bill because infrastructure is only valuable when it helps people work, communicate, and keep their communities safe. The speakers before us have rightly emphasized measurable results and respect for taxpayers. I would add that Pennsylvania must build this system with the discipline of a successful business: clear priorities, strong cybersecurity, and accountability for every dollar. Broadband expansion should reach underserved communities, but workforce training must ensure local workers can install, maintain, and protect these networks. Modernization should not be a slogan; it should be a dependable investment in Pennsylvania’s future.
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Mr. Presiding Officer, this debate has rightly demanded measurable results, taxpayer stewardship, and infrastructure that works beyond a ribbon-cutting ceremony. I want to add the worker’s perspective: modernization succeeds when it creates good jobs and gives people the skills to fill them. Broadband crews, cybersecurity technicians, and emergency communications specialists should be trained here, hired here, and paid fairly for the work. This bill can connect underserved Pennsylvania communities while strengthening its workforce, but implementation must be transparent and outcomes must be public. I support it because reliable technology and reliable jobs belong in the same plan.
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Mr. Presiding Officer, this debate has rightly returned to accountability, measurable results, and respect for the taxpayer. As a former transportation director and governor, I know infrastructure is not modern because it carries a new name; it is modern when it works reliably for the people who depend on it. This bill gives Pennsylvania the tools to connect underserved communities, protect public systems, strengthen emergency communications, and prepare workers for the jobs ahead. I urge support, with the clear expectation that progress be visible in rural homes, small businesses, and local government offices.
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