The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill Dec. 3 that would put additional security measures in place for drivers seeking hazardous materials hauling licenses, including fingerprinting.

HB2165, introduced by Rep. Richard Allen Geist (R-Altoona), requires applicants to be fingerprinted and undergo a criminal background check. The bill initially would have required all CDL holders to be fingerprinted. Several lawmakers said that was too extreme, pointing out that bus drivers and others deemed unlikely to commit terrorist acts also would be required to submit to fingerprinting. The bill, as amended to restrict the fingerprinting measure to hazmat drivers only, passed easily 192-1. It has been referred to the Senate transportation committee. The bill status number is (717) 787-2342.
--Keith Goble