SB 713 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

SB 713 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle lighting laws to allow specific types of illuminated signs on vehicles, such as those used by commercial drivers or for business purposes. It directly affects vehicle owners, operators, and commercial entities that display illuminated signage on their vehicles. The key provision updates Title 75 statutes to establish clear standards for the size, placement, and visibility of these signs, replacing outdated regulations. This change aims to modernize vehicle lighting rules while maintaining safety requirements for illuminated displays. The bill passed the state legislature on September 10, 2025, and is now under review by the Transportation committee.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
Senate Passage
Sep 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced May 12, 2025 Last action Sep 11, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0777 Printer's No. PN1152 · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill update expands the scope of public transportation vehicles allowed to carry illuminated signs and advertising on their rear or sides. It clarifies that these signs must enhance safety by connecting to vehicle indicators and using real-time technology for public service announcements. The change also updates the definition of 'public transportation vehicle' to include motor vehicles and shuttles while maintaining exclusions for school buses and charter vehicles.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly permits motor vehicles and shuttles to display illuminated signs, broadening the range of eligible public transportation vehicles compared to the previous version.
REQUIREMENT

New subsection allows public transportation vehicles to carry illuminated signs on the rear or side if they comply with federal laws and do not distract other drivers.

Illuminated signs must include safety features like enhanced turn signals and brake lights connected to vehicle operation indicators.

Signs must use real-time, geofenced, and GPS-enabled technology to provide public service announcements and emergency alerts.

TIMELINE

The department must issue approval guidelines within 180 days of the effective date.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'public transportation vehicle' was updated to explicitly include motor vehicles and shuttle vehicles.

Floor votes · Senate Sep 10, 2025

How they voted

2822
Passed
Total votes 50
Sep 10, 2025
D Democratic23
1 Yea 22 Nay
95% Nay
R Republican27
27 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Sep 11, 2025
Committee
Referred to Transportation
lower
Sep 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Sep 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
Sep 9, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
Sep 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported as amended
upper
May 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to Transportation
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors