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Pennsylvania & Federal Legislative Action – Below is a list of motorcycle related bills and resolutions that have been introduced in the House or Senate. Click here to get copy or check current history of a bill. You can also click here to learn how to read a bill.
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| A.B.A.T.E. Legislation 2024 |
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Highlights After Active Sessions HB2177, Mullins. Bill went through the House in 7 Session days! A motorcycle inspection bill that clears the lower chamber in only 26 calendar days is almost like magic. More details below. HB538, Mako. Motorcycle headphone bill laid on the table before Thanksgiving was removed from the table and sent to the Senate in 3 session days. More magic. SB37, Brown. Distracted driving bill still has compromises and had some opposition. In the end, with some of the 5 amendments, A.B.A.T.E. was supportive. For a number of reasons, I believe taking a position will help us in the future.
Senate activity of interest to A.B.A.T.E. SB155 Extending Lemon Law Protection to Motorcycles, Brooks An Act amending the act of March 28, 1984 (P.L.150, No.28), known as the Automobile Lemon Law, further providing for definitions, for repair obligations, for manufacturer's duty for refund or replacement and for presumption of a reasonable number of attempts. Last Action: Laid on the table. March 1, 2023 *(State LC’s comment) Identical to HB360 below, A.B.A.T.E. will continue our long-standing support to put motorcycles on par with automobiles. HB 360 Extending Lemon Law Protection to Motorcycles, Piscattano An Act amending the act of March 28, 1984 (P.L.150, No.28), known as the Automobile Lemon Law, further providing for definitions, for repair obligations, for manufacturer's duty for refund or replacement and for presumption of a reasonable number of attempts. Last Action: Referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (Senate) May 15, 2023 *(State LC’s comment) Like SB155 if there is opposition to this, I do not know where it is. Support. SB 420 Radar for Local Law Enforcment, Santasiero An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, further providing for schedule of convictions and points; in rules of the road in general, further providing for speed timing devices; and, in powers of department and local authorities, further providing for specific powers of department and local authorities. Last Action: Referred to Transportation March 14, 2023 *(State LC’s comment) A.B.A.T.E. will not have a position in favor of violating any traffic laws. I have some concern these tools could increase motorcycle profiling encounters. Neutral.
SB 459 Helping Local Police Protect Our Communities Through RADAR/LIDAR, Rothman An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rules of the road in general, further providing for speed timing devices. Last Action: Referred to Appropriations March 8, 2023 *(State LC’s comment) Same position here SB420. Some concern for potential motorcycle profiling. Neutral. SB 595 Organized Motorcycle Processions, Brooks An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to operation of vehicles, further providing for obedience to authorized persons directing traffic and providing for drivers in organized motorcycle processions; and, in rules of the road in general, further providing for following Repeal of Stacking for Auto Insurance too closely. Last Action: Referred to Transportation April 17, 2023 *(State LC’s comment) Continue to support organized motorcycle rides having the same rights as funerals. See also HB 457.
SB 901 Repeal of Stacking for Auto Insurance, Gebhard An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in financial responsibility, further providing for availability, scope and amount of coverage, repealing provisions relating to request for lower limits of coverage, providing for offer of lower limits of coverage, repealing provisions relating to coverages in excess of required amounts and to stacking of uninsured and underinsured benefits and option to waive, providing for stacking of uninsured and underinsured benefits prohibited and further providing for notice of available benefits and limits and for availability of uninsured, underinsured, bodily injury liability and property damage coverages and mandatory deductibles. Last Action: Referred to Banking and Insurance September 7, 2023 *(State LC’s comment) A.B.A.T.E. is not in favor of SB 901.
HB 538 Riding Motorcycles & Headphones, Mako An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rules of the road in general, further providing for prohibiting use of hearing impairment devices. (Allows one or more devices inside helmet made for that purpose) Last Action: Referred to Senate Transportation April 22, 2024. *(State LC’s comment) A.B.A.T.E. SUPPORTS CHOICE! This bill is all about letting riders choose what technology they think is best for them. Support.
Scheduled Senate Session Dates June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
House of Representatives activity of interest to A.B.A.T.E.
HB 2177, Mullins, Allowing Motorcycles to be Safety Inspected Year-round An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for inspection of motorcycles. Last Action: Third Consideration and Final Passage (201-0) April 29, 2024 *(State LC’s comment) May issue of BTL I said this was on a fast track. In less than a month this bill is out of the House and on its way to the Senate. Support. SB 656 Elimination of Alternate Fuel Tax on Electric Vehicles, Rothman An Act Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in liquid fuels and fuels tax, further providing for definitions and providing for electric vehicle road user charge; and imposing a penalty. Last Action: Re-reported as amended from House Appropriations. April 10, 2024 *(State LC’s comment) Collects a user fee with registration of electric vehicles in place of existing periodic user reporting system. Support. Motorcycles remained exempt while SB656 moves through the House. SB 453 DUI Offender Reform, Phillips-Hill An Act amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, further providing for sentence of total confinement; in licensing of drivers, further providing for driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked and for ignition interlock limited license; and, in driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs, further providing for ignition interlock. Last action: Referred to House Judiciary June 6, 2023 *(State LC’s comment) Ignition interlock currently restores some privileges. Problems with the application of interlock technology and motorcycles are not resolved. Not in favor of motorcycles being excluded from these provisions. HB315 Efficient Vehicle Registration Fee Waiver Incentive, Ciresi This legislation would waive the registration fee for new and leased motor vehicles (not including motorcycles and motorized bicycles) with an estimated average city fuel economy of at least 40 miles per gallon, as determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and United States Department of Energy, for the first two years of the vehicle’s registration. Last Action: Referred to FINANCE March 13, 2023 [House] *(State LC’s comment) Incentive should apply to all efficient vehicles. Against excluding motorcycles.
HB 457 Organized Motorcycle Processions, Stambaugh An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to operation of vehicles, further providing for obedience to authorized persons directing traffic and providing for drivers in organized motorcycle processions; and, in rules of the road in general, further providing for following too closely Last Action: Referred to Transportation March 16, 2023 [House] *(State LC’s comment) Continue to support organized motorcycle rides having the same rights as funerals. See also SB595.
SB 37 ENHANCED DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY (while operating an interactive wireless communication device), Brown An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in licensing of drivers, further providing for learners' permits and for examination of applicant for driver's license; in rules of the road in general, further providing for prohibiting text-based communications and providing for prohibiting use of interactive wireless communications devices; in miscellaneous provisions relating to serious traffic offenses, further providing for the offense of homicide by vehicle and for the offense of aggravated assault by vehicle; and imposing penalties. Last Action: House concurred in Senate amendments, May 8, 2024 (124-74) [House] *(State LC’s comment) Distracted driving is the subject. A.B.A.T.E. wants to see an end to all distracted driving. Our stance became neutral after SB 37 was amended to reduce penalties. I recommended A.B.A.T.E. return to full support of this measure in April. That switch will be helpful in the future. HB 1635 Help Make our Roadways Safer for Motorcycles & Bicycles, Scheuren An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in nuisances, further providing for the offense of scattering rubbish. Last Action: Referred to TRANSPORTATION, Aug. 29, 2023 *(State LC’s comment) Already illegal to put debris on roadways. HB1635 adds fines and spells out grass clippings. Support.
Scheduled House Session Dates June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 |
The following are official positions of the A.B.A.T.E. of PA on legislative actions (federal and state), news articles, media reports, and anything affecting motorcyclists and motorcycling in Pennsylvania and the United States.
Any report not authorized by A.B.A.T.E. of PA's official representatives cannot be used and reported to be an official position of A.B.A.T.E. of PA.
For an official statement and/or background check on official positions, call the State Office at 717-731-8955.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. We are also committed to educating rights advocates to improve effectiveness at the state and local levels. The MRF works together with State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organizations (SMROs), assisting them with state and local agendas as well as working with them to influence Washington, DC – from the Congress to government departments and agencies to the Office of the President of the United States. We also work with allies in Europe and Asia to influence talks on vehicle globalization and harmonization that are proceeding under the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO).