Legislative Update, PennDOT Survey, Fall Trout Stocking info, and more!

Rep. Robert Merski October 2, 2025 | 2:52 PM

Modernizing Boating Safety

I’m excited to share that my bill, H.B. 1418, has cleared the Pennsylvania House Game and Fisheries Committee. The bill modernizes boating safety to address emerging electric personal watercraft, including eFoils and jetboards.

Many thanks to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, boating safety experts, law enforcement, and recreational users whose input helped shape practical protections that keep our lakes and rivers safe while preserving access.

Fort LeBoeuf High School Trap Team Visits Capitol

This week, we had the privilege of welcoming the Fort LeBoeuf High School Trap Team to the Pennsylvania Capitol. It was a joy to meet these student-athletes, their coaches, and families, and to hear about their dedication to safety, discipline, and sportsmanship.

Aging Together in PA Town Hall — Tune in Tuesday, Oct. 7

We’re pleased to share that WQLN and PBS stations across Pennsylvania will broadcast Aging Together in PA Town Hall: Building the Future on Tuesday, Oct. 7, beginning at 8 p.m.

This town hall highlights the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s year-long Aging Together in PA initiative and explores caregiver supports, navigation of resources, reframing how we think about aging, and strategies for creating active, accessible, aging-friendly communities. These conversations are important to families across our Commonwealth.

Fall Trout Stocking

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will stock approximately 116,500 trout (rainbow, brown, and brook) across 118 stream sections and lakes, with many stockings available for immediate fishing and offering ice fishing opportunities as conditions allow.

Finding a stocked waterway near you is easy:

Visit: https://fbweb.pa.gov/TroutStocking
Check: Fall Stockings
Select: Erie County

If you still need a fishing license, please go to HuntFish.Pa.Gov.

PennDOT Construction and Maintenance Survey

We're encouraging neighbors to share feedback with PennDOT through the 2025 Construction and Maintenance Customer Satisfaction Survey by October 21. Your input helps shape how our roads and bridges are maintained.

This year, PennDOT has improved more than 2,600 miles of road, completed over 900 miles of paving, and begun work on repairs, replacements, or preservation for more than 230 bridges.

Take the 24-question survey here.

Prepare Now — Financial Steps to Take Before an Emergency

As part of National Preparedness Month, the Shapiro Administration urges Pennsylvanians to review their insurance policies and take a few simple financial steps now to make recovery easier if a disaster strikes.

Key actions:

Review insurance: Confirm homeowners, flood, life, and health coverage, and update beneficiaries.
Secure documents: Keep paper copies of deeds, policies, wills, and passports in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box and maintain digital backups.
Emergency cash and contacts: Set aside cash for essentials and keep a list of account numbers and customer-service contacts, both on paper and digitally.
Credit readiness: Keep credit card balances low and be aware of available credit. Contact issuers early if you may need flexibility.

For more information and resources, visit the Pennsylvania Insurance Department and the Department of Banking and Securities websites.

Fall Foliage Update

Autumn is here and I wanted to share news that will make planning your fall outings easier and more enjoyable. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is launching a redesigned weekly fall foliage report that began last Thursday.

The report will be posted every Thursday during peak foliage season, featuring regional updates, photos, and expert tips to help you find the best places to enjoy Pennsylvania’s autumn colors.