Pennsylvania legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pennsylvania HB71: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for safety requirements for towed vehicles.
Status: Signed into law, October 22, 2026
What the bill says
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for safety requirements for towed vehicles.
From the introduced text, January 14, 2025:
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for safety requirements for towed vehicles. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Section 4905(d) of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read: § 4905. Safety requirements for towed vehicles. * * * (d) Safety chains and cables.--Whenever two vehicles are connected by a ball-and-socket type hitch, or pintle hook without a locking device, they shall also be connected by two safety chains or safety cables of equal length, each safety chain or safety cable having an ultimate strength at least equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicles. The safety chains or safety cables shall be crossed and connected to the towed and towing vehicle and to the tow bar so as to prevent the tow bar from dropping to the ground in the event the tow bar fails or becomes disconnected. The safety chains or safety cables shall have no more slack than is necessary to permit proper turning. * * * Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days. 20250HB0071PN0059 - 2 -
Sponsors
- Brian Smith (R, 66) · primary sponsor
- Robert James (R, 64)
- Michael Armanini (R, 75)
- Malcolm Kenyatta (D, 181)
- Jeremy Shaffer (R, 28)
- Brenda Pugh (R, 120)
Latest actions
- : Act No. 62 of 2026, Oct. 22, 2026
- : Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2026
- : Presented to the Governor, Oct. 20, 2026
- : Signed in Senate, Oct. 19, 2026
- : Signed in House, Oct. 7, 2026
- : (Remarks see Senate Journal Page ), Oct. 7, 2026
- : Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 7, 2026 (49-0)
- : Re-reported as committed, Oct. 5, 2026
- : Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Oct. 5, 2026
- : Second consideration, Oct. 5, 2026
Votes
- Senate Floor: HB71, RC 545 (October 7, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Floor: HB71, RC 544 (October 7, 2026): 27 yea, 22 nay, passed
- Senate Appropriations: Re-Reported as Committed (October 5, 2026): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Transportation: Reported as Committed (September 30, 2026): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Floor: HB0071, RC 1180 (June 15, 2026): 202 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Committed (June 15, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: TRANSPORTATION, RULES
Common questions
- What is HB71?
- HB71 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for safety requirements for towed vehicles.
- What does HB71 do?
- In its own words: Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for safety requirements for towed vehicles.
- What is the status of HB71?
- Signed into law as of October 22, 2026. Latest action: Act No. 62 of 2026, Oct. 22, 2026 (October 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB71?
- Brian Smith (R, 66), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB71?
- On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb71
Source: official Pennsylvania record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.