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                                                      PRINTER'S NO. 2907

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE BILL

No. 2071 Session of 2007


        INTRODUCED BY CARROLL, MARKOSEK, DENLINGER, HENNESSEY, KULA,
           LEACH, MAHONEY, MARSHALL, MURT, PHILLIPS, ROEBUCK, SCAVELLO,
           SHIMKUS, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, WHEATLEY, J. WHITE AND
           YOUNGBLOOD, NOVEMBER 29, 2007

        REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, NOVEMBER 29, 2007

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
     2     Statutes, further providing for biennial registration of
     3     certain vehicles and registration fees for passenger cars.

     4     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     5  hereby enacts as follows:
     6     Section 1.  Section 1307(a) and (a.1) Title 75 of the
     7  Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
     8  § 1307.  Period of registration.
     9     (a)  Staggered renewal system to be established.--The
    10  department shall establish a system of staggered registration
    11  renewal in a manner that an approximately equal number of
    12  registrations will expire every month throughout the year. In
    13  order to implement and maintain the staggered registration
    14  system, the department may prorate annual or biennial
    15  registration fees over registration periods of from 6 to 18
    16  months.
    17     (a.1)  Seasonal registration.--Upon application on a form


     1  prescribed by the department, the owner or lessee of a passenger
     2  car, recreational motor vehicle, motorcycle, truck or farm
     3  vehicle which does not have a gross vehicle weight rating of
     4  more than 9,000 pounds may register the vehicle with the
     5  department for a period of successive months of less than one
     6  year. The applicant shall specify the period of months during
     7  which the vehicle shall be registered. Except when the
     8  department initially converts a currently valid annual or
     9  biennial registration to a seasonal registration, the annual or
    10  biennial fee prescribed for the vehicle by Chapter 19 (relating
    11  to fees) shall be paid in full by the applicant regardless of
    12  the number of months chosen for registration by the applicant.
    13  Upon receipt of the appropriate fee and the properly completed
    14  form, including all information required by this chapter, the
    15  department shall issue a seasonal registration that shall expire
    16  on the last day of the expiration month chosen by the
    17  registrant. No insurer of a vehicle belonging to any owner or
    18  lessee who obtains a seasonal registration and who applies for
    19  or receives a reduced automobile insurance premium on account
    20  thereof shall be required to provide any contractual coverage,
    21  whether in the form of the provision of a defense or the payment
    22  of first-party or third-party benefits or otherwise, to the
    23  owner or lessee in connection with any event occurring during
    24  that part of the year in which the vehicle is not registered;
    25  and such owner or lessee shall be treated for all purposes,
    26  including, without limitation, ascertaining rights to stack
    27  coverages and to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage,
    28  as a person who does not own that vehicle and has no duty to
    29  carry financial responsibility on it for that part of the year.
    30     * * *
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     1     Section 2.  Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:
     2  § 1307.2.  Biennial registration of certain vehicles.
     3     The department may establish a system for renewing the
     4  vehicle registration of passenger cars, motorcycles, motor-
     5  driven cycles, school buses and school vehicles, special mobile
     6  equipment and implements of husbandry on a biennial basis to
     7  owners or lessees of the vehicles and may promulgate rules and
     8  regulations to implement the system.
     9     Section 3.  Sections 1331(f)(1), 1340(a), 1348, 1350, 1350.1,
    10  1351, 1352, 1353, 1354(a), 1355, 1356, 1357, 1358, 1359(a),
    11  1360, 1361, 1362, 1363, 1364, 1365(a), 1514(a), 1911 heading and
    12  (a), 1912, 1914, 1915, 1918, 1921, 1922, 1930, 1931, 1931.1 and
    13  1933 of Title 75 are amended to read:
    14  § 1331.  Issuance and reissuance of registration plates.
    15     * * *
    16     (f)  Periodic reissuance of registration plates.--The
    17  department shall develop, implement and administer a program to
    18  provide for the reissuance of all current registration plates
    19  previously issued under this section. The program to be
    20  established under this subsection shall address all of the
    21  following criteria:
    22         (1)  Other than the annual or biennial registration fee
    23     required under sections 1305 (relating to application for
    24     registration) and 1309 (relating to renewal of registration)
    25     and Subchapter B of Chapter 19 (relating to registration
    26     fees), the reissued registration plate shall be issued under
    27     section 1934 (relating to general reissuance).
    28         * * *
    29  § 1340.  Antique, classic and collectible plates.
    30     (a)  General rule.--Upon submission by a vehicle owner of
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     1  information satisfactory to the department that a motorcycle or
     2  motor vehicle is an antique motorcycle or motor vehicle or
     3  classic motorcycle or motor vehicle or collectible motorcycle or
     4  motor vehicle, accompanied by the appropriate fee, the
     5  department may issue special plates for the motorcycle or
     6  vehicle. The special plate for antique motor vehicles, except
     7  antique motorcycles, shall bear the designation "antique
     8  vehicle." The applicant shall provide photographic proof in a
     9  manner specified by the department to demonstrate the condition
    10  of the motor vehicle. No annual or biennial registration fee may
    11  be charged for antique, collectible or classic motorcycles or
    12  motor vehicles. A holder of the special plates may obtain
    13  replacement plates bearing the designation "antique vehicle"
    14  upon payment of the appropriate fee.
    15     * * *
    16  § 1348.  Special plates for Pearl Harbor survivors.
    17     Upon application of any person who is a survivor of Pearl
    18  Harbor, accompanied by a fee of $20 which shall be in addition
    19  to the annual or biennial registration fee and by such
    20  documentation as the department shall require, the department
    21  shall issue to such person a special registration plate
    22  designating the vehicle so licensed as belonging to a person who
    23  is a survivor of Pearl Harbor. The special registration plate
    24  may be used only on a passenger car or truck with a registered
    25  gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.
    26  § 1350.  Special plates for veterans of Korean War.
    27     Upon application of any person who is a veteran of the Korean
    28  War, accompanied by a fee of $20[,] which shall be in addition
    29  to the annual or biennial registration fee[,] and by such
    30  documentation as the department shall require, the department
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     1  shall issue to the person a special registration plate
     2  designating the vehicle so licensed as belonging to a person who
     3  is a veteran of the Korean War. The special registration plate
     4  may be used only on a passenger car or truck with a registered
     5  gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.
     6  § 1350.1.  Special plates for recipients of Korean Defense
     7             Service Medal.
     8     Upon application of any person who is a recipient of the
     9  Korean Defense Service Medal, accompanied by a fee of $20 which
    10  shall be in addition to the annual or biennial registration fee
    11  and by such documentation as the department shall require, the
    12  department shall issue to the person a special registration
    13  plate designating the vehicle so licensed as belonging to a
    14  person who is a recipient of the Korean Defense Service Medal.
    15  The department shall design and produce the special registration
    16  plate. The special registration plate may be used only on a
    17  passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not
    18  more than 10,000 pounds.
    19  § 1351.  Special plates for veterans of Persian Gulf War.
    20     Upon application of any person who is a veteran of the
    21  Persian Gulf War, accompanied by a fee of $20[,] which shall be
    22  in addition to the annual or biennial registration fee[,] and by
    23  such documentation as the department shall require, the
    24  department shall issue to the person a special registration
    25  plate designating the vehicle so licensed as belonging to a
    26  person who is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. The special
    27  registration plate may be used only on a passenger car or truck
    28  with a registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.
    29  § 1352.  Wild resource conservation plate.
    30     The department, in consultation with the Wild Resource
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     1  Conservation Board, shall design a special wild resource
     2  conservation registration plate. Upon application of any person,
     3  accompanied by a fee of $35 which shall be in addition to the
     4  annual or biennial registration fee, the department shall issue
     5  the plate for a passenger car, motor home, trailer or truck with
     6  a registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds. The
     7  Wild Resource Conservation Fund shall receive $15 of each
     8  additional fee for this plate.
     9  § 1353.  Preserve our heritage registration plate.
    10     The department, in consultation with the Pennsylvania
    11  Historical and Museum Commission, shall design a special
    12  preserve our heritage registration plate. Upon receipt of an
    13  application, accompanied by a fee of $35 which shall be in
    14  addition to the annual or biennial registration fee, the
    15  department shall issue the plate for a passenger car, motor
    16  home, trailer or truck with a registered gross weight of not
    17  more than 9,000 pounds. The Historical Preservation Fund shall
    18  receive $15 of each additional fee for this plate.
    19  § 1354.  Flagship Niagara commemorative registration plate.
    20     (a)  Plate.--The department, in consultation with the
    21  Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, shall design a
    22  Flagship Niagara commemorative registration plate. Upon
    23  application of any person, accompanied by a fee of $35 which
    24  shall be in addition to the annual or biennial registration fee,
    25  the department shall issue the plate for a passenger car, motor
    26  home, trailer or truck with a registered gross weight of not
    27  more than 9,000 pounds.
    28     * * *
    29  § 1355.  Zoological plate.
    30     The department, in consultation with the Pennsylvania
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     1  Zoological Council, shall design a special zoological
     2  registration plate. Upon application of any person, accompanied
     3  by a fee of $35 which shall be in addition to the annual or
     4  biennial registration fee, the department shall issue the plate
     5  for a passenger car, motor home, trailer or truck with a
     6  registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds. The
     7  Zoological Enhancement Fund shall receive $15 of the fee paid by
     8  the applicant for the plate.
     9  § 1356.  Special plates for recipients of Expeditionary Forces
    10             Medal.
    11     Upon application of any person who is a recipient of the
    12  Expeditionary Forces Medal, accompanied by a fee of $20 which
    13  shall be in addition to the annual or biennial registration fee
    14  and by such documentation as the department shall require, the
    15  department shall issue to such person a special registration
    16  plate designating the vehicle so registered as belonging to a
    17  person who is a recipient of the Expeditionary Forces Medal. The
    18  special registration plate may be used only on a passenger car
    19  or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 9,000
    20  pounds.
    21  § 1357.  Special plates for World War II veterans.
    22     Upon application of any person who is a veteran of World War
    23  II, accompanied by a fee of $20 which shall be in addition to
    24  the annual or biennial registration fee and by such
    25  documentation as the department shall require, the department
    26  shall issue to such person a special registration plate carrying
    27  the symbol of a ruptured duck designating the vehicle so
    28  registered as belonging to a person who is a veteran of World
    29  War II. The special registration plate may be used only on a
    30  passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not
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     1  more than 9,000 pounds.
     2  § 1358.  DARE plate.
     3     The department, in consultation with the Pennsylvania
     4  Commission on Crime and Delinquency, shall design a special drug
     5  abuse resistance education (DARE) registration plate which
     6  utilizes the DARE logo or slogan in the design. Upon application
     7  of any person, accompanied by a fee of $35 which shall be in
     8  addition to the annual or biennial registration fee, the
     9  department shall issue the plate for a passenger car, motor
    10  home, trailer or truck with a registered gross weight of not
    11  more than 9,000 pounds. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education
    12  Program shall receive $15 of each additional fee for this plate.
    13  § 1359.  Special plates for steelworkers.
    14     (a)  General rule.--Upon application of any person who is a
    15  steelworker, accompanied by a fee of $20 which shall be in
    16  addition to the annual or biennial registration fee and by such
    17  documentation as the department shall require, the department
    18  shall issue to such person a special registration plate
    19  designating the vehicle so licensed as belonging to a person who
    20  is a steelworker. The special registration plate may be used
    21  only on a passenger car or a truck with a registered gross
    22  weight of not more than 9,000 pounds. The plate shall bear the
    23  likeness of the official emblem of the American Iron and Steel
    24  Institute.
    25     * * *
    26  § 1360.  Special plates for veterans of Vietnam Conflict.
    27     Upon application of any person who is a veteran of the
    28  Vietnam Conflict as that term is defined for the awarding of the
    29  Vietnam Service Medal, accompanied by a fee of $20 in addition
    30  to the annual or biennial registration fee and by such
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     1  documentation as the department shall require, the department
     2  shall issue to the person a special registration plate
     3  designating the vehicle so licensed as belonging to a person who
     4  is a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict. The special registration
     5  plate may be used only on a passenger car or truck with a
     6  registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.
     7  § 1361.  Special motorcycle plates for veterans.
     8     Upon application of any person who is an honorably discharged
     9  veteran of the armed forces of the United States, or a reserve
    10  component of the armed forces as defined in 51 Pa.C.S. § 7301
    11  (relating to definitions), accompanied by a fee of $20 which
    12  shall be in addition to the annual or biennial registration fee
    13  and by such documentation as the department shall require, the
    14  department shall issue to the person a special registration
    15  plate designating the vehicle as belonging to a person who is a
    16  veteran. The special registration plate may be used only on a
    17  motorcycle.
    18  § 1362.  Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans plate.
    19     Upon application of any person who is a veteran of the
    20  liberation or occupation of Iraq, accompanied by a fee of $20
    21  which shall be in addition to the annual or biennial
    22  registration fee and by documentation as the department shall
    23  require, the department shall issue to the person a special
    24  registration plate designating the vehicle so licensed as
    25  belonging to a person who is a veteran of Operation Iraqi
    26  Freedom.
    27  § 1363.  Operation Enduring Freedom veterans plate.
    28     Upon application of any person who is a veteran of the
    29  liberation or occupation of Afghanistan, accompanied by a fee of
    30  $20 which shall be in addition to the annual or biennial
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     1  registration fee and by documentation as the department shall
     2  require, the department shall issue to the person a special
     3  registration plate designating the vehicle so licensed as
     4  belonging to a person who is a veteran of Operation Enduring
     5  Freedom.
     6  § 1364.  Special plates for veterans.
     7     Upon application of any person who is an honorably discharged
     8  veteran of the armed forces of the United States or a reserve
     9  component of the armed forces as defined in 51 Pa.C.S. § 7301
    10  (relating to definitions), accompanied by a fee of $20 which
    11  shall be in addition to the annual or biennial registration fee
    12  and by such documentation as the department shall require, the
    13  department shall issue to the person a special registration
    14  plate designating the vehicle as belonging to a person who is a
    15  veteran of the armed forces of the United States.
    16  § 1365.  Gold Star Family plate.
    17     (a)  General rule.--Upon application of a family member of a
    18  person who was killed while serving on active duty in the
    19  military, accompanied by a fee of $20 which shall be in addition
    20  to the annual or biennial registration fee and by such
    21  documentation as the department shall require, the department
    22  shall issue to the family member a special registration plate
    23  designating the vehicle so licensed as belonging to a family
    24  member of a person who was killed while serving on active duty
    25  in the military. The department shall design and produce the
    26  special registration plate carrying the Service Flag Gold Star
    27  rimmed with blue which represents sacrifice to the cause of
    28  liberty and freedom. The words "Gold Star Family" shall be
    29  clearly displayed along the bottom of the plate. The special
    30  registration plate may be used only on a passenger car or truck
    20070H2071B2907                 - 10 -     

     1  with a registered gross weight of not more than 10,000 pounds.
     2     * * *
     3  § 1514.  Expiration and renewal of drivers' licenses.
     4     (a)  General rule.--Every driver's license shall expire on
     5  the day after the licensee's birth date at intervals of not more
     6  than [four] eight years as may be determined by the department.
     7  Every license shall be renewable on or before its expiration
     8  upon application, payment of the required fee, and satisfactory
     9  completion of any examination required or authorized by this
    10  chapter.
    11     * * *
    12  § 1911.  Annual and biennial registration fees.
    13     (a)  General rule.--An annual or biennial fee for the
    14  registration of vehicles as provided in Chapter 13 (relating to
    15  [the] registration of vehicles) shall be charged by the
    16  department as provided in this title.
    17     * * *
    18  § 1912.  Passenger cars.
    19     (a)  General rule.--The annual fee for registration of a
    20  passenger car shall be $36[.] annually or $72 biennially, except
    21  for passenger cars exceeding 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
    22  rating (GVWR), which shall be annually assessed as follows:
    23         Registered Gross
    24         Weight in Pounds            Fee
    25           6,001 - 7,000             $81
    26           7,001 - 9,000             153
    27           9,001 - 11,000            198
    28     (b)  Exception.--A clean fuel or electric vehicle determined
    29  by the Internal Revenue Service to be eligible for a Federal tax
    30  deduction or credit pursuant to section 30 or 179A of the
    20070H2071B2907                 - 11 -     

     1  Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. §
     2  30) shall be $30.
     3  § 1914.  Motorcycles.
     4     The annual fee for registration of a motorcycle other than a
     5  motor-driven cycle shall be $18. The biennial fee shall be $36.
     6  § 1915.  Motor-driven cycles.
     7     The annual fee for registration of a motor-driven cycle shall
     8  be $9. The biennial fee shall be $18.
     9  § 1918.  School buses and school vehicles.
    10     The annual fee for registration of a school bus or school
    11  vehicle shall be $24. The biennial fee shall be $48.
    12  § 1921.  Special mobile equipment.
    13     The annual fee for registration of special mobile equipment
    14  shall be $36. The biennial fee shall be $72.
    15  § 1922.  Implements of husbandry.
    16     The annual fee for registration of an implement of husbandry
    17  not exempt from registration under this title shall be $18. The
    18  biennial fee shall be $36.
    19  § 1930.  Legislative registration plates.
    20     The fee for issuance of a legislative registration plate
    21  shall be $20 which shall be in addition to the annual or
    22  biennial registration fee. Only one payment of the issuance fee
    23  shall be charged for each legislative registration plate issued
    24  or replaced. The biennial fee shall be twice the annual fee.
    25  § 1931.  Personal registration plates.
    26     The fee for issuance of a personal registration plate shall
    27  be $20 which shall be in addition to the annual or biennial
    28  registration fee. Only one payment of the issuance fee shall be
    29  charged for each personal registration issued or replaced. The
    30  biennial fee shall be twice the annual fee.
    20070H2071B2907                 - 12 -     

     1  § 1931.1.  Street rod registration plates.
     2     The fee for the issuance of a street rod registration plate
     3  shall be $20 which shall be in addition to the annual or
     4  biennial registration fee. Only one payment of the issuance fee
     5  shall be charged for each street rod registration plate issued
     6  or replaced. The biennial fee shall be twice the annual fee.
     7  § 1933.  Commercial implements of husbandry.
     8     The annual fee for registration of a commercial implement of
     9  husbandry shall be $76.50 or one-half of the regular fee,
    10  whichever is greater. The biennial fee shall be twice the annual
    11  fee.
    12     Section 4.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.












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