PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1764, 2817, 2838, 2877

PRINTER'S NO.  2959

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

1458

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY TALLMAN, BEAR, COHEN, D. COSTA, CUTLER, DAY, DeLUCA, DONATUCCI, GILLEN, GODSHALL, GROVE, HAHN, HEFFLEY, JOSEPHS, MILLER, MOUL, MURPHY, MURT, PASHINSKI, PYLE, K. SMITH, WATSON AND DENLINGER, MAY 4, 2011

  

  

AMENDMENTS TO SENATE AMENDMENTS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JANUARY 17, 2012   

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

2

Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for

3

definitions; in registration of vehicles, further providing

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4

for display of registration plate; in drivers' licenses,

5

further providing for judicial review and for cancellation;

6

in commercial drivers, further providing for definitions and

7

for requirement, providing for certification requirements,

8

for medical certification and for noncompliance and further

9

providing for license and for disqualification; in general

10

provisions, further providing for automated red light

11

enforcement systems in first class cities and providing for

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12

automated red light enforcement in certain cities; and, in

13

State and local administration, further providing for

14

nonreciprocity of operational limitations.

15

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

16

hereby enacts as follows:

17

Section 1.  The definition of "emergency vehicle" in section

18

102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is

19

amended to read:

20

§ 102.  Definitions.

21

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent

 


1

provisions of this title which are applicable to specific

2

provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when

3

used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly

4

indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

5

* * *

6

"Emergency vehicle."  A county emergency management vehicle,

7

fire department vehicle, police vehicle, sheriff vehicle,

8

ambulance, advanced life support squad vehicle, basic life

9

support squad vehicle, blood delivery vehicle, human organ

10

delivery vehicle, hazardous material response vehicle, armed

11

forces emergency vehicle, one vehicle operated by a coroner or

12

chief county medical examiner and one vehicle operated by a

13

chief deputy coroner or deputy chief county medical examiner

14

used for answering emergency calls, a vehicle owned by or leased

15

to a regional emergency medical services council that is used as

16

authorized by the Department of Health to respond to an actual

17

or potential disaster, mass casualty situation or substantial

18

threat to public health, any vehicle owned and operated by the

19

Philadelphia Parking Authority established in accordance with 53

20

Pa.C.S. Ch. 55 (relating to parking authorities) and used in the

21

enforcement of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 57 (relating to taxicabs and

22

limousines in first class cities), or any other vehicle

23

designated by the State Police under section 6106 (relating to

24

designation of emergency vehicles by Pennsylvania State Police),

25

or a privately owned vehicle used in answering an emergency call

26

when used by any of the following:

27

(1)  A police chief and assistant chief.

28

(2)  A fire chief, assistant chief and, when a fire

29

company has three or more fire vehicles, a second or third

30

assistant chief.

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1

(3)  A fire police captain and fire police lieutenant.

2

(4)  An ambulance corps commander and assistant

3

commander.

4

(5)  A river rescue commander and assistant commander.

5

(6)  A county emergency management coordinator.

6

(7)  A fire marshal.

7

(8)  A rescue service chief and assistant chief.

8

* * *

9

Section 1.1.  Sections 1332(b)(2), 1550(a), (b)(1)(ii) and

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10

(c) and 1572(a)(1)(ii) of Title 75 are amended to read:

11

§ 1332.  Display of registration plate.

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12

* * *

13

(b)  Obscuring plate.--It is unlawful to display on any

14

vehicle a registration plate which:

15

* * *

16

(2)  is obscured in any manner which inhibits the proper

17

operation of an automated red light enforcement system in

18

place pursuant to section 3116 (relating to automated red

19

light enforcement systems in first class cities) or 3117

20

(relating to automated red light enforcement systems in

21

certain cities); or

22

* * *

23

§ 1550.  Judicial review.

24

(a)  General rule.--Any person who has been denied a driver's

25

license, whose driver's license has been canceled, whose

26

commercial driver's license designation has been removed or

27

whose operating privilege has been recalled, suspended, revoked

28

or disqualified by the department shall have the right to appeal

29

to the court vested with jurisdiction of such appeals by or

30

pursuant to Title 42 (relating to judiciary and judicial

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1

procedure). The appellant shall serve a copy of the petition for

2

appeal, together with a copy of the notice of the action from

3

which the appeal has been taken, upon the department's legal

4

office.

5

(b)  Supersedeas.--

6

(1)  * * *

7

(ii)  The filing and service of a petition for appeal

8

from denial, recall, suspension or cancellation of a

9

driver's license or from removal of the commercial driver

10

license designation under section 1503 (relating to

11

persons ineligible for licensing; license issuance to

12

minors; junior driver's license), 1504 (relating to

13

classes of licenses), 1509 (relating to qualifications

14

for school bus driver endorsement), 1514 (relating to

15

expiration and renewal of drivers' licenses), 1519

16

(relating to determination of incompetency) [or], 1572

17

(relating to cancellation of driver's license) or 1609.3

18

(relating to noncompliance with certification

19

requirements) shall not act as a supersedeas unless

20

ordered by the court after a hearing attended by the

21

petitioner.

22

* * *

23

(c)  Proceedings of court.--The court shall set the matter

24

for hearing upon 60 days' written notice to the department and

25

determine whether:

26

(1)  the petitioner's driver's license should be denied

27

or canceled[,];

28

(2)  the petitioner's operating privilege should be

29

suspended, revoked or recalled; or

30

(3)  the petitioner's endorsement or commercial driver

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1

license designation should be removed.

2

* * *

3

§ 1572.  Cancellation of driver's license.

4

(a)  General rule.--

5

(1)  The department may cancel any driver's license upon

6

determining that one of the following applies:

7

* * *

8

(ii)  The person failed to give the required or

9

correct information on an application or certification or

10

committed fraud in making the application or in obtaining

11

the license.

12

* * *

13

Section 2.  Section 1603 of Title 75 is amended by adding a

14

definition to read:

15

§ 1603.  Definitions.

16

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter

17

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

18

context clearly indicates otherwise:

19

* * *

20

"Medical examiner."  An individual who is licensed, certified

21

or registered, in accordance with applicable statutes and

22

regulations, to perform physical examinations. The term includes

23

a doctor of medicine, an osteopath, a physician assistant, an

24

advanced practice nurse and a doctor of chiropractic.

25

* * *

26

Section 3.  Section 1606(b) of Title 75 is amended by adding

27

a paragraph to read:

28

§ 1606.  Requirement for commercial driver's license.

29

* * *

30

(b)  Exemptions.--The following persons are not required to

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1

obtain a commercial driver's license in order to drive the

2

commercial motor vehicle specified:

3

* * *

4

(7)  An employee of a county emergency management

5

organization who is the holder of a Class C license and who

6

has a certificate of authorization from the head of the

7

county emergency management organization while operating any

8

emergency vehicle equipped with audible and visual signals

9

registered to the county or county emergency management

10

organization.

11

* * *

12

Section 4.  Title 75 is amended by adding sections to read:

13

§ 1609.1.  Type of driving certification requirements.

14

(a)  Self-certification requirement.--An applicant for a

15

commercial driver learner's permit or initial commercial

16

driver's license must make one of the applicable self-

17

certifications from the following:

18

(1)  Nonexcepted Interstate Commerce. A certification

19

that the applicant:

20

(i)  operates or expects to operate in interstate

21

commerce;

22

(ii)  is subject to and meets the medical

23

qualification requirements under 49 CFR Part 391

24

(relating to qualifications of drivers and longer

25

combination vehicle (LCV) driver instructors); and

26

(iii)  acknowledges the requirement to obtain a

27

medical certificate under 49 CFR § 391.45 (relating to

28

persons who must be medically examined and certified).

29

(2)  Excepted Interstate Commerce. A certification that

30

the applicant operates or expects to operate in interstate

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1

commerce but engages exclusively in transportation or

2

operations excepted under 49 CFR §§ 390.3(f) (relating to

3

general applicability), 391.2 (relating to general

4

exceptions), 391.68 (relating to private motor carrier of

5

passengers (nonbusiness)) or 398.3 (relating to

6

qualifications of drivers or operators) from all or parts of

7

the qualification requirements of 49 CFR Part 391, and is

8

therefore not required to obtain a medical examiner's

9

certificate under 49 CFR § 391.45.

10

(3)  Nonexcepted Intrastate Commerce. A certification

11

that the applicant:

12

(i)  operates in intrastate commerce;

13

(ii)  is subject to and meets the medical

14

qualification requirements of 67 Pa. Code Ch. 231

15

(relating to intrastate motor carrier safety

16

requirements); and

17

(iii)  acknowledges the requirement to obtain a

18

medical certificate.

19

(4)  Excepted Intrastate Commerce. A certification that

20

the applicant operates in intrastate commerce, but engages

21

exclusively in transportation or operations excepted from all

22

or parts of the driver qualification requirements in 67 Pa.

23

Code Ch. 231 and is not required to obtain a medical

24

certificate.

25

(b)  Existing drivers.--A holder of a commercial driver's

26

license shall submit to the department a self-certification of

27

driving which complies with subsection (a) within 30 days of

28

notice by the department.

29

§ 1609.2.  Medical certification.

30

(a)  Requirements.--An individual who certifies that the

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1

individual operates or expects to operate a commercial motor

2

vehicle in nonexcepted interstate commerce or nonexcepted

3

intrastate commerce shall provide the department with an

4

original or photographic copy of a medical examiner's

5

certificate prepared by a medical examiner. The medical

6

examiner's certificate shall be valid for up to two years from

7

the date of the medical examination.

8

(b)  Maintaining certification.--A CDL holder who certifies

9

intent to operate a commercial motor vehicle in nonexcepted

10

interstate commerce or nonexcepted intrastate commerce shall

11

provide the department with an original or copy of a

12

subsequently issued medical examiner's certificate.

13

(c)  Noncompliance with medical requirements.--

14

(1)  This subsection applies in the following

15

circumstances:

16

(i)  Upon the expiration of a medical certification

17

or a medical variance issued by the Federal Motor Carrier

18

Safety Administration or the department.

19

(ii)  If the Federal Motor Carrier Safety

20

Administration notifies the department that a medical

21

variance was rescinded.

22

(2)  If this subsection applies, the department shall

23

notify a nonexcepted commercial driver that the driver is no

24

longer in conformance with the medical certification

25

requirements and that the CDL designation will be removed

26

from the driver's license unless the driver:

27

(i)  submits a current medical certificate or medical

28

variance; or

29

(ii)  changes the self-certification to driving only

30

in excepted interstate commerce or excepted intrastate

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1

commerce.

2

§ 1609.3.  Noncompliance with certification requirements.

3

The department shall remove the commercial driver license

4

designation from the driver's license of an individual who is

5

not in compliance with section 1609.1 (relating to type of

6

driving certification requirements) or section 1609.2 (relating

7

to medical certification).

8

Section 5.  Sections 1610(b)(2), 1611(l) and 3116(d)(3)(ii),

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9

(e)(3), (i)(3), (l), 3116(l)(2) and (q) and 6154 and 1611(l) of

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10

Title 75 are amended to read:

11

§ 1610.  Commercial driver's license.

12

* * *

13

(b)  Classifications, endorsements and restrictions.--

14

* * *

15

(2)  The following codes shall be used as required to

16

describe the commercial driver's license endorsements and

17

restrictions. Additional endorsements and restrictions may be

18

added by regulation for use on the commercial driver's

19

license:

20

A - Restricts the driver to driving under 49 CFR §

21

391.62(c) (relating to limited exemptions for

22

intracity zone drivers).

23

G - Indicates qualification under 49 CFR § 391.62(e).

24

H - Authorizes the driver to operate a vehicle

25

transporting hazardous materials.

26

L - Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped

27

with air brakes.

28

N - Authorizes driving tank vehicles.

29

P - Authorizes driving vehicles carrying passengers.

30

Q - Requires the driver to wear corrective lenses.

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1

S - Authorizes the driver to operate a school bus.

2

T - Authorizes driving double and triple trailers.

3

V - Indicates that the driver has been issued a

4

medical variance.

5

X - Represents a combination of hazardous materials

6

and tank vehicle endorsements.

7

Y - Requires the driver to wear a hearing aid.

8

* * *

9

§ 1611.  Disqualification.

10

* * *

11

(l)  Disqualification for incomplete, incorrect or fraudulent

12

application or certification.--The department shall disqualify

13

any person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for 60 days

14

upon canceling the person's commercial driver's license pursuant

15

to section 1572(a)(1)(ii) (relating to cancellation of driver's

16

license) involving an application or certification related to

17

the requirements of this chapter.

18

* * *

19

SECTION 5.1.  SECTION 3116(L)(2) AND (Q) OF TITLE 75, (Q)

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20

AMENDED DECEMBER 22, 2011 (P.L., NO.129), ARE AMENDED TO READ:

21

§ 3116.  Automated red light enforcement systems in first class

22

cities.

23

* * *

24

(d)  Penalty.--

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25

* * *

26

(3)  A fine is not authorized during:

27

* * *

28

(ii)  The first [60] 45 days for each additional

29

intersection selected for the automated system.

30

* * *

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1

(e)  Limitations.--

2

* * *

3

(3)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law,

4

information prepared under this section and information

5

relating to violations under this section which is kept by

6

the city of the first class, its authorized agents or its

7

employees, including recorded images, written records,

8

reports or facsimiles, names[,] and addresses [and the number

9

of violations under this section], shall be for the exclusive

10

use of the city, its authorized agents, its employees and law

11

enforcement officials for the purpose of discharging their

12

duties under this section and under any ordinances and

13

resolutions of the city. The information shall not be deemed

14

a public record under the act of [June 21, 1957 (P.L.390,

15

No.212), referred to] February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known 

16

as the Right-to-Know Law. The information shall not be

17

discoverable by court order or otherwise, nor shall it be

18

offered in evidence in any action or proceeding which is not

19

directly related to a violation of this section or any

20

ordinance or resolution of the city. The restrictions set

21

forth in this paragraph shall not be deemed to preclude a

22

court of competent jurisdiction from issuing an order

23

directing that the information be provided to law enforcement

24

officials if the information is reasonably described and is

25

requested solely in connection with a criminal law

26

enforcement action.

27

* * *

28

(i)  System administrator.--

29

* * *

30

(3)  The system administrator shall submit an annual

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1

report to the chairman and the minority chairman of the

2

Transportation Committee of the Senate and the chairman and

3

minority chairman of the Transportation Committee of the

4

House of Representatives. The report shall be considered a

5

public record under the Right-to-Know Law and include for the

6

prior year:

7

(i)  The number of violations and fines issued.

8

(ii)  A compilation of fines paid and outstanding.

9

(iii)  The amount of money paid to a vendor or

10

manufacturer under this section.

11

* * *

12

(l)  Payment of fine.--

13

(1)  An owner to whom a notice of violation has been

<--

14

issued may admit responsibility for the violation and pay the

15

fine provided in the notice.

16

* * *

<--

17

(2)  Payment must be made personally, through an

18

authorized agent or by mailing both payment and the notice of

19

violation to the system administrator. Payment by mail must

20

be made only by money order, credit card or check made

21

payable to the system administrator. The system administrator

22

shall remit the fine, less the system administrator's

23

operation and maintenance costs necessitated by this section,

24

to the department for deposit into the Motor License Fund.

25

[Fines deposited in the fund under this paragraph shall be

<--

26

used by the department to develop, by regulation, a

27

Transportation Enhancements Grant Program.] Except as

<--

28

otherwise provided under paragraphs (4) and (5), the

29

department shall use the fines deposited in the fund under

30

this paragraph as prescribed under 67 Pa. Code Ch. 233

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1

(relating to transportation enhancement grants from automated

2

red light enforcement system revenues).

3

(3)  Payment of the established fine and applicable

4

penalties shall operate as a final disposition of the case.

5

(4)  Distribution of fine revenue under paragraph (2)

6

shall be as follows:

7

(i)  Fifty percent of the revenue generated through

8

an automated red light enforcement program under this

9

section shall be used exclusively for funding of

10

transportation enhancement grants in the city in which

11

the violation was prosecuted as provided under 67 Pa.

12

Code § 233.8(g)(1) (relating to grant selection process

13

and criteria).

14

(ii)  Fifty percent of the revenues generated through

15

the automated red light enforcement program shall be

16

available for funding of transportation enhancement

17

grants to eligible sponsors throughout this Commonwealth

18

as provided under 67 Pa. Code § 233.8(g)(2) except that a

19

city of the first class, second class or second class A

20

that implements the automated red light enforcement

21

program shall be ineligible to receive grants under 67

22

Pa. Code Ch. 233. This subparagraph shall not apply to

23

any grants expended or committed prior to the effective

24

date of this subparagraph.

25

(5)  The department is allocated 2% of all automated red

26

light enforcement revenues transferred to the Motor License

27

Fund under this subsection for its costs in administering

28

transportation enhancement grants.

29

* * *

30

The department shall award transportation enhancement grants

<--

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1

on a competitive basis. The department may not reserve,

2

designate or set aside any specific level of funds or

3

percentage of funds to an applicant prior to the completion

4

of the application process; nor may the department designate

5

a set percentage of funds to an applicant.

6

* * *

7

(q)  Expiration.--This section shall expire December 31,

<--

8

[2011] 2017 [June 30, 2012] December 31, 2016.

<--

9

Section 5.1.  Title 75 is amended by adding a section to

<--

10

read:

11

§ 3117.  Automated red light enforcement systems in certain  

12

cities.

13

(a)  General rule.--A city, upon passage of an ordinance, is

14

authorized to enforce section 3112(a)(3) (relating to traffic-

15

control signals) by recording violations using an automated red

16

light enforcement system approved by the department.

17

(b)  Applicability.--

18

(1)  This section shall only be applicable at

19

intersections in a city designated by the system

20

administrator in consultation with the secretary under the

21

requirements of paragraph (2).

22

(2)  No automated red light system shall be installed

23

until the system administrator provides notice to the

24

department of the location of each intersection. After

25

receiving notice and before the system may be installed, the

26

department shall have 60 days to review each proposed

27

intersection and to issue a recommendation to the system

28

administrator which shall include all of the following:

29

(i)  A statement on whether the proposed intersection

30

is an appropriate location for an automated red light

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1

enforcement system.

2

(ii)  The data on which the department based the

3

recommendation.

4

(iii)  The location of an alternative intersection in

5

the city that the department determines is appropriate

6

for an automated red light enforcement system.

7

(3)  If the department does not issue a recommendation to

8

the system administrator within 60 days, the department shall

9

be deemed to recommend the intersection proposed by the

10

system administrator as an appropriate location.

11

(4)  For each instance the system administrator

12

determines not to follow the recommendation of the department

13

issued under paragraph (2), the system administrator shall

14

provide the following in the annual report required under

15

subsection (j)(3):

16

(i)  A copy of the department's recommendation.

17

(ii)  A statement explaining the reasons for the

18

system administrator's decision.

19

(iii)  The data the system administrator relied upon

20

in making the decision.

21

(c)  Owner liability.--For each violation under this section,

22

the owner of the vehicle shall be liable for the penalty imposed

23

unless the owner is convicted of the same violation under

24

another section of this title or has a defense under subsection

25

(g).

26

(d)  Certificate as evidence.--A certificate, or a facsimile

27

of a certificate, based upon inspection of recorded images

28

produced by an automated red light enforcement system and sworn

29

to or affirmed by a police officer employed by the city shall be

30

prima facie evidence of the facts contained in it. The city must

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1

include written documentation that the automated red light

2

enforcement system was operating correctly at the time of the

3

alleged violation. A recorded image evidencing a violation of

4

section 3112(a)(3) shall be admissible in any judicial or

5

administrative proceeding to adjudicate the liability for the

6

violation.

7

(e)  Penalty.--

8

(1)  The penalty for a violation under subsection (a)

9

shall be a fine of $100 unless a lesser amount is set by

10

ordinance.

11

(2)  A fine is not authorized for a violation of this

12

section if any of the following apply:

13

(i)  The intersection is being manually controlled.

14

(ii)  The signal is in the mode described in section

15

3114 (relating to flashing signals).

16

(3)  A fine is not authorized during any of the

17

following:

18

(i)  The first 60 days of operation of the automated

19

system at the initial intersection.

20

(ii)  The first 45 days for each additional

21

intersection selected for the automated system.

22

(4)  A warning may be sent to the violator under

23

paragraph (3).

24

(5)  A penalty imposed under this section shall not be

25

deemed a criminal conviction and shall not be made part of

26

the operating record under section 1535 (relating to schedule

27

of convictions and points) of the individual upon whom the

28

penalty is imposed, nor may the imposition of the penalty be

29

subject to merit rating for insurance purposes.

30

(6)  No surcharge points may be imposed in the provision

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1

of motor vehicle insurance coverage. Fines collected under

2

this section shall not be subject to 42 Pa.C.S. § 3571

3

(relating to Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.) or 3573

4

(relating to municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.).

5

(f)  Limitations.--

6

(1)  No automated red light enforcement system shall be

7

utilized in such a manner as to take a frontal view recorded

8

image of the vehicle as evidence of having committed a

9

violation.

10

(2)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, camera

11

equipment deployed as part of an automated red light

12

enforcement system as provided under this section must be

13

incapable of automated or user-controlled remote intersection

14

surveillance by means of recorded video images. Recorded

15

images collected as part of the automated red light

16

enforcement system may only record traffic violations and may

17

not be used for any other surveillance purposes. The

18

restrictions set forth under this paragraph shall not be

19

deemed to preclude a court of competent jurisdiction from

20

issuing an order directing that the information be provided

21

to law enforcement officials if the information is reasonably

22

described and is requested solely in connection with a

23

criminal law enforcement action.

24

(3)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law,

25

information prepared under this section and information

26

relating to violations under this section which is kept by

27

the city, its authorized agents or employees, including

28

recorded images, written records, reports or facsimiles,

29

names and addresses, shall be for the exclusive use of the

30

city, its authorized agents, its employees and law

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1

enforcement officials for the purpose of discharging their

2

duties under this section and under any ordinances and

3

resolutions of the city. The information shall not be deemed

4

a public record under the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6,

5

No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law. The information shall

6

not be discoverable by court order or otherwise, nor shall it

7

be offered in evidence in any action or proceeding which is

8

not directly related to a violation of this section or any

9

ordinance or resolution of the city. The restrictions set

10

forth under this paragraph shall not be deemed to preclude a

11

court of competent jurisdiction from issuing an order

12

directing that the information be provided to law enforcement

13

officials if the information is reasonably described and is

14

requested solely in connection with a criminal law

15

enforcement action.

16

(4)  Recorded images obtained through the use of

17

automated red light enforcement systems deployed as a means

18

of promoting traffic safety in a city shall be destroyed at

19

the end of the 30 days following the final disposition of any

20

recorded event. The city shall file notice with the

21

Department of State that the records have been destroyed in

22

accordance with this section.

23

(5)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law,

24

registered vehicle owner information obtained as a result of

25

the operation of an automated red light enforcement system

26

under this section shall not be the property of the

27

manufacturer or vendor of the automated red light enforcement

28

system and may not be used for any purpose other than

29

prescribed in this section.

30

(g)  Defenses.--

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1

(1)  It shall be a defense to a violation under this

2

section that the person named in the notice of the violation

3

was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.

4

The owner may be required to submit evidence that the owner

5

was not the driver at the time of the alleged violation. The

6

city may not require the owner of the vehicle to disclose the

7

identity of the operator of the vehicle at the time of the

8

violation.

9

(2)  If an owner receives a notice of violation under

10

this section of a time period during which the vehicle was

11

reported to a police department of any state or municipality

12

as having been stolen, it shall be a defense to a violation

13

under this section that the vehicle has been reported to a

14

police department as stolen prior to the time the violation

15

occurred and had not been recovered prior to that time.

16

(3)  It shall be a defense to a violation under this

17

section that the person receiving the notice of violation was

18

not the owner of the vehicle at the time of the offense.

19

(h)  Department approval.--No automated red light enforcement

20

system may be used without the approval of the department, which

21

shall have the authority to promulgate regulations for the

22

certification and use of such systems.

23

(i)  Duty of city.--If a city elects to implement this

24

section, the following provisions shall apply:

25

(1)  The city may not use an automated red light

26

enforcement system unless an appropriate sign is posted in a

27

conspicuous place before the area in which the automated red

28

light enforcement device is to be used notifying the public

29

that an automated red light enforcement device is in use

30

immediately ahead.

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1

(2)  The city or its designee shall serve as the system

2

administrator to supervise and coordinate the administration

3

of notices of violations issued under this section.

4

(3)  The following apply:

5

(i)  The system administrator shall prepare a notice

6

of violation to the registered owner of a vehicle

7

identified in a recorded image produced by an automated

8

red light enforcement system as evidence of a violation

9

of section 3112(a)(3). The issuance of the notice of

10

violation must be done by a police officer employed by

11

the police department with primary jurisdiction over the

12

area where the violation occurred. The notice of

13

violation must have attached to it all of the following:

14

(A)  A copy of the recorded image showing the

15

vehicle.

16

(B)  The registration number and state of

17

issuance of the vehicle registration.

18

(C)  The date, time and place of the alleged

19

violation.

20

(D)  Notice that the violation charged is under

21

section 3112(a)(3).

22

(E)  Instructions for return of the notice of

23

violation.

24

(ii)  The text of the notice must be as follows:

25

This notice shall be returned personally, by mail or

26

by an agent duly authorized in writing, within 30

27

days of issuance. A hearing may be obtained upon the

28

written request of the registered owner.

29

(j)  System administrator.--

30

(1)  The system administrator may hire and designate

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1

personnel as necessary or contract for services to implement

2

this section.

3

(2)  The system administrator shall process fines issued

4

under this section.

5

(3)  The system administrator shall submit an annual

6

report to the chairman and the minority chairman of the

7

Transportation Committee of the Senate and the chairman and

8

minority chairman of the Transportation Committee of the

9

House of Representatives. The report shall be considered a

10

public record under the Right-to-Know Law, and include for

11

the prior year:

12

(i)  The number of violations and fines issued.

13

(ii)  A compilation of fines paid and outstanding.

14

(iii)  The amount of money paid to a vendor or

15

manufacturer under this section.

16

(k)  Notice to owner.--In the case of a violation involving a

17

motor vehicle registered under the laws of this Commonwealth,

18

the notice of violation must be mailed within 30 days after the

19

commission of the violation or within 30 days after the

20

discovery of the identity of the registered owner, whichever is

21

later, to the address of the registered owner as listed in the

22

records of the department. In the case of motor vehicles

23

registered in jurisdictions other than this Commonwealth, the

24

notice of violation must be mailed within 30 days after the

25

discovery of the identity of the registered owner to the address

26

of the registered owner as listed in the records of the official

27

in the jurisdiction having charge of the registration of the

28

vehicle. A notice of violation under this section must be

29

provided to an owner within 90 days of the commission of the

30

offense.

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1

(l)  Mailing of notice and records.--Notice of violation must

2

be sent by first class mail. A manual or automatic record of

3

mailing prepared by the system administrator in the ordinary

4

course of business shall be prima facie evidence of mailing and

5

shall be admissible in any judicial or administrative proceeding

6

as to the facts contained in it.

7

(m)  Payment of fine.--

8

(1)  An owner to whom a notice of violation has been

9

issued may admit responsibility for the violation and pay the

10

fine provided in the notice.

11

(2)  Payment must be made personally, through an

12

authorized agent or by mailing both payment and the notice of

13

violation to the system administrator. Payment by mail must

14

be made only by money order, credit card or check made

15

payable to the system administrator. The system administrator

16

shall remit the fine, less the system administrator's

17

operation and maintenance costs necessitated under this

18

section, to the department for deposit into the Motor License

19

Fund. Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (4) and (5),

20

the department shall use the fines deposited in the fund

21

under this paragraph as prescribed under 67 Pa. Code Ch. 233

22

(relating to transportation enhancement grants from

23

authorized red light enforcement system revenues).

24

(2.1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2),

25

transportation enhancement grants awarded for projects in a

26

city of the second class shall be limited to the following

27

and in the following order of preference:

28

(i)  safety improvements for intersections within the

29

city at which red light camera enforcement is installed;

30

(ii)  safety improvements for intersections located

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1

within the city; or

2

(iii)  actual construction, maintenance and repair of

3

streets, roadways and highways.

4

(3)  Payment of the established fine and applicable

5

penalties shall operate as a final disposition of the case.

6

(4)  Distribution of fine revenue under paragraph (2)

7

shall be as follows:

8

(i)  Fifty percent of the grant revenues generated

9

through an automated red light enforcement program under

10

this section shall be used exclusively for funding of

11

transportation enhancement grants in the city in which

12

the violation was prosecuted as provided in 67 Pa. Code §

13

233.8(g)(1) (relating to grant selection process and

14

criteria).

15

(ii)  Fifty percent of the grant revenues generated

16

through the automated red light enforcement program shall

17

be available for funding of transportation enhancement

18

grants to eligible sponsors throughout this Commonwealth

19

as provided under 67 Pa. Code § 233.8(g)(2) except that a

20

city of the first class, second class or second class A

21

that implements the automated red light enforcement

22

program shall be ineligible to receive grants under 67

23

Pa. Code Ch. 233. This subparagraph shall not apply to

24

any grants expended or committed prior to the effective

25

date of this subparagraph.

26

(5)  The department is allocated 2% of all automated red

27

light enforcement revenues transferred to the Motor License

28

Fund under this subsection for its costs in administering

29

transportation enhancement grants.

30

(n)  Hearing.--

- 23 -

 


1

(1)  An owner to whom a notice of violation has been

2

issued may, within 30 days of the mailing of the notice,

3

request a hearing to contest the liability alleged in the

4

notice. A hearing request must be made by appearing before

5

the system administrator during regular office hours either

6

personally or by an authorized agent or by mailing a request

7

in writing.

8

(2)  Upon receipt of a hearing request, the system

9

administrator shall in a timely manner schedule the matter

10

before a hearing officer. The hearing officer shall be

11

designated by the city. Written notice of the date, time and

12

place of hearing must be sent by first class mail to the

13

owner.

14

(3)  The hearing shall be informal; the rules of evidence

15

shall not apply; and the decision of the hearing officer

16

shall be final, subject to the right of the owner to appeal

17

the decision to the magisterial district judge.

18

(4)  If the owner requests in writing that the decision

19

of the hearing officer be appealed to the magisterial

20

district judge, the system administrator shall file the

21

notice of violation and supporting documents with the

22

magisterial district judge, who shall hear and decide the

23

matter de novo.

24

(o)  Compensation to manufacturer or vendor.--If a city has

25

established an automated red light enforcement system deployed

26

as a means of promoting traffic safety and the enforcement of

27

the traffic laws of this Commonwealth or the city, the

28

compensation paid to the manufacturer or vendor of the automated

29

red light enforcement system may not be based upon the number of

30

traffic citations issued or a portion or percentage of the fine

- 24 -

 


1

generated by the citations. The compensation paid to the

2

manufacturer or vendor of the equipment shall be based upon the

3

value of the equipment and the services provided or rendered in

4

support of the automated red light enforcement system.

5

(p)  Duration of yellow light change interval.--The duration

6

of the yellow light change interval at intersections where

7

automated red light enforcement systems are in use shall conform

8

to the yellow light change interval duration specified on the

9

traffic signal permit issued by the department or city of the

10

second class.

11

(q)  Revenue limit.--A city may not collect an amount equal

12

to or greater than 5% of its annual budget from the collection

13

of revenue from the issuance and payment of violations under

14

this section.

15

(r)  Expiration.--This section shall expire December 31,

16

2017.

17

(s)  Definition.--As used in this section, the term "city"

18

means:

19

(1)  A city of the third class with a minimum population

20

of 18,000, under the 2010 Federal decennial census, and a

21

full-time police department.

22

(2)  A city of the second class A.

23

(3)  A city of the second class.

24

Section 5.2.  Section 6154 of Title 75 is amended to read:

25

§ 6154.  Nonreciprocity of operational limitations.

26

(a)  General rule.--If any other state with which the

27

department has entered into a reciprocity agreement, including

28

the International Registration Plan, imposes an operational

29

limitation, burden or prohibition upon vehicles with a base

30

jurisdiction of Pennsylvania but not upon vehicles with a base

- 25 -

 


1

jurisdiction of the other state, the Commonwealth shall impose a

2

like operational limitation, burden or prohibition upon the same

3

class of vehicles that are operating in this Commonwealth but

4

based in the other state. Operational limitations shall include

5

the maximum weight, width, length or height of a vehicle.

6

(b)  Penalty.--A person who violates this section commits a

7

summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay

8

a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 for each

9

violation.

10

Section 6.  This act shall take effect as follows:

11

(1)  The following provisions shall take effect in 60

12

days:

13

(i)  The amendment of the definition of "emergency

14

vehicle" in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102.

15

(ii)  The addition of 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1607(b)(7) and

<--

16

3117 § 1606(b)(7).

<--

17

(iii)  The amendment of 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1332(b)(2),

18

3116(d)(3)(ii), (e)(3), (i)(3) and (l) 3116(l)(2) and

<--

19

6154.

20

(2)  The following provisions shall take effect

21

immediately:

22

(i)  The amendment of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3116(q).

23

(ii)  This section.

24

(3)  The remainder of this act shall take effect January

25

30, 2012.

- 26 -