Pennsylvania SB 1298: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection program.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1616 PRINTER'S NO. 1695
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1298
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY LANGERHOLC, K. WARD, J. WARD, BARTOLOTTA, BROOKS,
GEBHARD, BAKER, MASTRIANO, STEFANO, VOGEL, PENNYCUICK,
CULVER, ROTHMAN, HUTCHINSON AND MARTIN, APRIL 17, 2026
AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, MAY 6, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for
requirement for periodic inspection of vehicles and for
prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection program.
AMENDING TITLE 75 (VEHICLES) OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED
STATUTES, IN INSPECTION OF VEHICLES, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR
PROHIBITION ON EXPENDITURES FOR EMISSION INSPECTION PROGRAM.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 4702(g) of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding paragraphs and the
section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 4702. Requirement for periodic inspection of vehicles.
* * *
(g) Exceptions.--The following are exceptions to subsection
(f):
* * *
(5) Emission inspection criteria for newest model year
vehicles.--A subject vehicle shall be exempt from the
requirements for emission inspection for five years after the
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vehicle is manufactured. A one-time certificate of exemption
shall be affixed to the subject vehicle for the entire
duration of the exemption and in a manner prescribed by
department regulation. After the fifth year, the subject
vehicle shall receive an emission inspection in accordance
with this section. The following shall apply:
(i) The department shall notify each official
inspection station on a periodic basis of vehicles exempt
from the requirements for emission inspection.
(ii) This paragraph shall not apply if, and to the
extent that, the Federal Government officially and
formally notifies the Commonwealth that Federal funding
would be withheld due to the exemption under this
paragraph. Notice of nonapplicability under this
subparagraph shall be transmitted by the department to
the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the
next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(6) Gas cap test not required for certain vehicles.--A
subject vehicle that was manufactured without a gas cap shall
not be required to receive a gas cap test to determine
whether the subject vehicle's gas cap is functioning as
designed.
(h) Antitampering inspection.--Notwithstanding subsection
(g)(5), the five most recent model year vehicles shall be
subject to visual antitampering inspections for the presence of
emissions control components installed on the vehicle by
manufacturers, which may occur during the annual safety
inspection.
Section 2. Section 4706 of Title 75 is amended by adding a
subsection to read:
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§ 4706. Prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection
program.
* * *
(h.1) Revised State implementation plan.--
(1) No later than 60 days after the effective date of
this paragraph, the Department of Environmental Protection
shall initiate the process of removing the following counties
from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance
program:
(i) A county of the third class with a population
between 215,000 and 216,000 based on the most recent
Federal decennial census.
(ii) A county of the third class with a population
between 325,000 and 326,000 based on the most recent
Federal decennial census.
(iii) A county of the third class with a population
between 354,000 and 355,000 based on the most recent
Federal decennial census.
(iv) A county of the fourth class with a population
between 133,000 and 134,000 based on the most recent
Federal decennial census.
(v) A county of the fifth class with a population
between 122,000 and 123,000 based on the most recent
Federal decennial census.
(vi) A county of the fifth class with a population
between 114,000 and 115,000 based on the most recent
Federal decennial census.
(vii) A county of the fifth class with a population
between 110,000 and 111,000 based on the most recent
Federal decennial census.
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(2) For a county that is not removed from the enhanced
vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program through
the process initiated under paragraph (1) and prior to the
effective date of this paragraph was subject to the enhanced
vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program, the
Department of Environmental Protection shall initiate the
process of removing the county from the enhanced vehicle
emission inspection and maintenance program if the Department
of Environmental Protection can demonstrate that the county
can maintain the relevant standards without benefit of the
emissions