An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for authority to issue permits.

PRINTER'S NO. 1029
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 955
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PICKETT, BENNINGHOFF, SMITH, OLSOMMER, ROWE, HAMM
AND COOK, MARCH 18, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 18, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for
authority to issue permits.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 4961(a) introductory paragraph of Title
75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended and the
section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 4961. Authority to issue permits.
(a) General rule.--The department and local authorities with
respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may,
upon application in writing showing good cause, issue special
permits in writing, or as otherwise provided under subsection
(a.1), authorizing the applicant to operate or move on specified
highways any of the following:
* * *
(a.1) Electronic special permit.--Upon request by an
applicant, the department or local authority shall issue the
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special permit under subsection (a) electronically, subject to
the following:
(1) The electronic special permit must be:
(i) Carried in the vehicle, combination or towing
vehicle on an interactive mobile device.
(ii) Open to inspection by a police officer,
authorized agent of the issuing agency or any person
having an accident involving the subject of the
electronic permit.
(2) If the applicant chooses an electronic special
permit to be available on an interactive mobile device, a
police officer shall be immune from civil or criminal
liability if, in enforcing this chapter in good faith, the
police officer inadvertently does any of the following:
(i) Views materials on the device other than the
electronic permit.
(ii) Deletes information from the device.
(iii) Intercepts a communication while in possession
of the device.
(iv) Causes breakage to the device.
(3) If the interactive mobile device containing the
electronic special permit is inaccessible for inspection by a
police officer, the applicant shall, within five business
days, provide a physical copy of the special permit to the
police officer.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250HB0955PN1029 - 2 -
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