Pennsylvania SB 713: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in lighting equipment, further providing for use and display of illuminated signs.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 777 PRINTER'S NO. 1152
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 713
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY FARRY, PICOZZI, PENNYCUICK, STEFANO AND MILLER,
MAY 12, 2025
SENATOR J. WARD, TRANSPORTATION, AS AMENDED, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in lighting equipment, further providing for use
and display of illuminated signs.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 4307(g) of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended and the section is amended by
adding a subsection to read:
§ 4307. Use and display of illuminated signs.
* * *
(f.2) Public transportation vehicles.--A public
transportation vehicle may carry on the rear or side of the
vehicle illuminated signs, or surfaces designed to be
illuminated signs, placed so as not to interfere with the vision
of the driver through the rear window, if any, of the vehicle.
Illuminated signs, or surfaces designed to be illuminated signs,
so placed shall be of a size and type designed not to interfere
with or unduly distract drivers of other vehicles on the
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highway. The sign or surface shall include features that enhance
road safety, including enhanced turn signals and brake lights,
by connecting the sign or surface to a vehicle operation
indicator. The sign or surface shall be able to communicate with
the public through real-time, geofenced and global positioning
system enabled technology by providing information and
advertising to the public, including public service
announcements and emergency alerts. The size and placement of
the sign or surface must receive approval of the department or
be a type approved by the department prior to use on the
vehicle.
(F.2) PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES.--
(1) A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE MAY CARRY ON THE
REAR OR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED SIGNS, OR SURFACES
DESIGNED TO BE ILLUMINATED SIGNS THAT ARE COMPLIANT WITH ALL
APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS, PLACED SO AS NOT TO
INTERFERE WITH THE VISION OF THE DRIVER THROUGH THE REAR
WINDOW, IF ANY, OF THE VEHICLE. ILLUMINATED SIGNS, OR
SURFACES DESIGNED TO BE ILLUMINATED SIGNS, SO PLACED SHALL BE
OF A SIZE AND TYPE DESIGNED NOT TO INTERFERE WITH OR UNDULY
DISTRACT DRIVERS OF OTHER VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SIGN
OR SURFACE SHALL INCLUDE FEATURES THAT ENHANCE ROAD SAFETY,
INCLUDING ENHANCED TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS, BY
CONNECTING THE SIGN OR SURFACE TO A VEHICLE OPERATION
INDICATOR. THE SIGN OR SURFACE SHALL BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE
WITH THE PUBLIC THROUGH REAL-TIME, GEOFENCED AND GLOBAL
POSITIONING SYSTEM ENABLED TECHNOLOGY BY PROVIDING
INFORMATION AND ADVERTISING TO THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING PUBLIC
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EMERGENCY ALERTS.
(2) THE SIZE AND PLACEMENT OF THE SIGN OR SURFACE MUST
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RECEIVE APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OR BE A TYPE APPROVED BY
THE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO USE ON THE VEHICLE. WITHIN 180 DAYS
OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL ISSUE GUIDELINES REGARDING THE CRITERIA AND PROCESS FOR
APPROVAL. THE SECRETARY SHALL TRANSMIT NOTICE OF THE ISSUANCE
OF THE GUIDELINES TO THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU FOR
PUBLICATION IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE ISSUE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
BULLETIN.
(g) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Food delivery vehicle." A vehicle engaged in the
transportation or conveyance of food products or items from
their place of origin or production to a place of delivery. The
vehicle may make intermittent stops that are customary in the
routine conduct of the business for which the transportation
occurs.
"Illuminated decal." A battery-powered device measuring no
greater than six inches in width and six inches in height with
an illumination source not designed to project light beyond the
vehicle, but only to provide backlighting for a graphic.
"Public transportation vehicle." A vehicle used for the
purpose of p ublic passenger transportation or a transportation
system under 74 Pa.C.S. Chs. 15 (relating to sustainable
mobility options) and 17 (relating to metropolitan
transportation authorities) and operated by, or under an
agreement with, a public entity, including an airport, a port
authority, a public transit agency, a State-owned institution or
a State-related institution or another Federal, State, county or
local government entity or agency. The term includes a bus, AS
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DEFINED UNDER 74 PA.C.S. § 1503 (RELATING TO DEFINITIONS) AND
OPERATED BY, OR UNDER AN AGREEMENT WITH, A LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
ORGANIZATION AS DEFINED UNDER 74 PA.C.S. § 1503. THE T