PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2283
PRINTER'S NO. 3125
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1699
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY MARSHALL, D. COSTA, JAMES, SANKEY, WHEELAND,
ZIMMERMAN AND GABLER, AUGUST 15, 2017
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MARCH 12, 2018
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for
operation of certain combinations on interstate and certain
other highways, repealing provisions relating to operation of
motor homes on interstate and certain other highways and
further providing for width of vehicles and for length of
vehicles.; AND, IN ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT, FURTHER
PROVIDING FOR SPECIFIC POWERS OF DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL
AUTHORITIES.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 4908(a) introductory paragraph, (b),
(b.1) and (g) of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes are amended to read:
§ 4908. Operation of certain combinations on interstate and
certain other highways.
(a) General rule.--Combinations authorized by section
4904(e) (relating to limits on number of towed vehicles) to have
two trailers[, or by section 4923(b)(6) or (7) (relating to
length of vehicles) to exceed the length limitation for
combinations,] may be driven only on the types of highways and
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under the limitations set forth below:
* * *
(b) Household goods carriers.--In addition to the operations
authorized in subsection (a), a household goods carrier,
consisting of a truck tractor and [either of the following:
(1) A single trailer, which exceeds the maximum length
for combinations established in section 4923(a), may be
driven between the designated network and a point of loading
or unloading which can safely and reasonably be accessed.
(2) Two] two trailers may be driven between the
designated national network and a point of loading or
unloading which can safely and reasonably be accessed using
highways approved under subsection (a)(2) through (5) for the
particular movement.
[(b.1) Short 102-inch trailers.--In addition to the
operations authorized in subsection (a), a combination,
consisting of a truck tractor and a single trailer not exceeding
28 1/2 feet in length and 102 inches in width may be driven on
all highways.]
* * *
(g) Penalty.--A person who operates a combination in
violation of this section on a highway which is not marked with
signs prohibiting the operation of such a combination commits a
summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay
a fine of $50 for each violation. A person cited under this
subsection shall not be subject to citation under section [4921
(relating to width of vehicles) or 4923 (relating to length of
vehicles)] 4904 (relating to limits on number of towed
vehicles).
Section 2. Section 4908.1 of Title 75 is repealed:
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[§ 4908.1. Operation of motor homes on interstate and certain
other highways.
(a) General rule.--Motor homes exceeding 40 feet in length
but not exceeding 45 feet in length may be driven only on the
types of highways and under the limitations set forth below:
(1) On a designated network consisting of all interstate
highways and portions of Federal aid primary highways having
at least a 48-foot-wide roadway or two 24-foot-wide roadways
and designated by the department as capable of safely
accommodating motor homes.
(2) Between the designated national network and:
(i) The location where the motor home is garaged.
(ii) A facility for food, fuel, repair, service or
rest having an entrance within the access limitation
prescribed under Federal Highway Administration
regulation of the nearest ramp or intersection, but only
on highways having lanes at least ten feet wide.
(3) On highways marked with traffic route signs having
travel lanes at least ten feet in width unless prohibited by
the department on State highways or the municipality on local
highways based on safety reasons and marked with signs
prohibiting such vehicles.
(4) Between the highways authorized under paragraph (3)
and:
(i) The location where the recreational vehicle is
garaged.
(ii) A terminal or facility for food, fuel, repair,
service or rest having an entrance within two miles of
the nearest ramp or intersection, but only on highways
having lanes at least ten feet wide.
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(5) Approval of a highway other than as designated under
paragraphs (1) through (4) shall be obtained from the:
(i) City in the case of a highway in a city.
(ii) Department in the case of a State highway not
in a city, except that the department will, upon request,
delegate authority to approve routes under this
subsection to a municipality which has been delegated
authority to issue permits under section 420 of the act
of June 1, 1945 (P.L.1242, No.428), known as the State
Highway Law.
(iii) Municipality in the case of a local highway
not in a city.
(b) Notice.--Notice regarding approval and revocation of
routes shall be in conformance with section 4908 (relating to
operation of certain combinations on interstate and certain
other highways).]
Section 3. Sections 4921(a), (c), (c.1), (c.2), (c.3) and
(d) and 4923(b.1)(1) of Title 75 are amended and the sections
are amended by adding subsections to read:
§ 4921. Width of vehicles.
(a) General rule.--The total outside width of a vehicle,
including any load, shall not exceed eight feet six inches
except as otherwise provided in this section. [With regard to
stinger-steered automobile or boat transporters or vehicles
operating as provided in section 4908 (relating to operation of
certain combinations on interstate and certain other highways),
the total width of a vehicle, including any load, shall not
exceed eight and one-half feet, except as otherwise provided in
this chapter.]
* * *
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[(c) Buses.--Any bus operated wholly within a municipality,
where permitted by the municipality, or in more than one
municipality, where approved by the Public Utility Commission,
may have a total outside width not to exceed eight feet six
inches when operated upon a highway having traffic-lane widths
of not less than ten feet.
(c.1) Motor homes or recreational trailers.--Any motor home
or recreational trailer may have a total outside width not to
exceed eight feet six inches.
(c.2) Utility trailers.--A utility trailer with a registered
gross weight not to exceed 10,000 pounds may have a total
outside width not to exceed eight feet six inches.
(c.3) Trucks other than combinations.--The total outside
width, including any load, of a truck other than a combination
shall not exceed eight and one-half feet except as otherwise
provided in this chapter.
(d) Nondivisible loads.--Vehicles carrying nondivisible
loads not exceeding eight feet six inches in width may operate
on any highway having a roadway width of 20 feet or more.]
* * *
(e.2) Excluded devices.--Devices listed in and meeting the
requirements of 23 CFR Pt. 658 Appendix D (relating to devices
that are excluded from measurement of the length or width of a
commercial motor vehicle) are excluded from measurement of the
width of a motor vehicle.
* * *
Section 4. Section 4923(b.1) of Title 75 is amended to read:
§ 4923. Length of vehicles.
* * *
(b) Excluded devices.--Devices listed in and meeting the
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requirements of 23 CFR Pt. 658 Appendix D (relating to devices
that are excluded from measurement of the length or width of a
commercial Motor Vehicle) are excluded from measurement of the
length of a motor vehicle.
(b.1) Combinations.--
(1) The length of a single trailer being towed by a
TRUCK OR truck tractor shall not exceed 53 feet [provided].
Truck or truck tractors towing trailers equipped with a
kingpin shall not be operated when the distance between the
kingpin and the center line of the rear axle or rear axle
group [does not exceed] exceeds 41 feet or, in the case of a
trailer used exclusively or primarily to transport vehicles
in connection with motor sports competition events, does not
exceed 46 feet.
* * *
SECTION 4. SECTION 6109(E) OF TITLE 75 IS AMENDED TO READ:
§ 6109. SPECIFIC POWERS OF DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
* * *
(E) ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.--ACTION
BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE TAKEN ONLY
AFTER COMPLETING AN ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION WHEN
AND IN SUCH MANNER AS REQUIRED BY REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE
DEPARTMENT. NO ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION IS REQUIRED
TO ESTABLISH A SPEED LIMIT UNDER SECTION 3362(A)(1.2) (RELATING
TO MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS)[.] OR TO RESTRICT THE OPERATION OF
VEHICLES UNDER THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1982
(PUBLIC LAW 97-424, 96 STAT. 2097) BEYOND THE ACCESS LIMITATIONS
PRESCRIBED UNDER 23 CFR 658.19 (RELATING TO REASONABLE ACCESS).
* * *
Section 4 5. This act shall take effect in 60 days. AS
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FOLLOWS:
(1) THE AMENDMENT, ADDITION OR REPEAL OF THE FOLLOWING
PROVISIONS SHALL TAKE EFFECT IN 180 DAYS:
(I) 75 PA.C.S. § 4908(A) INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH,
(B), (B.1) AND (G).
(II) 75 PA.C.S. § 4908.1.
(III) 75 PA.C.S. § 4921(A), (C), (C.1), (C.2),
(C.3), (D) AND (E.2).
(IV) 75 PA.C.S. § 4923(B) AND (B.1)(1).
(2) THE REMAINDER OF THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT
IMMEDIATELY.
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