SB 185 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in lighting equipment, further providing for general lighting requirements.

SB 185 permits non-commercial vehicles under 14,000 pounds gross weight to install decorative rear lighting strips (e.g., ornamental lamp bars) that match the color and illumination of the vehicle's stop lamps. These additions must be horizontally mounted, no longer than 60 inches, non-battery-powered, and cannot feature flashing lights (except when paired with turn signals). The law explicitly excludes commercial motor carriers and vehicles with factory-installed lighting matching the described standards.

Bill status passed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 24, 2025 Last action Nov 17, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0123 → Printer's No. PN0487 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amendment expands eligibility for ornamental lamp bars and auxiliary lighting strips on vehicles by adding new requirements for non-motor carrier vehicles up to 14,000 pounds. The amendment clarifies that these lighting additions must match the vehicle's stop lamp color, remain in safe operating condition, and cannot exceed specific dimensions. It also introduces restrictions against flashing or revolving lights unless used with turn signals, and explicitly states that vehicles with original equipment from manufacturers that already includes such lighting are exempt from these requirements.

Scope change

Expanded eligibility to include non-motor carrier vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 14,000 pounds or less, while adding specific technical requirements and exemptions for vehicles with original manufacturer equipment.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for non-motor carrier vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 14,000 pounds or less to operate with ornamental lamp bars or auxiliary lighting strips.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements specify that ornamental lamp bars must match stop lamp color, be in safe operating condition, and be horizontally mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

Added prohibition against flashing or revolving lights unless the ornamental lamp bar is used in conjunction with a vehicle's turn signal.

Added restriction that vehicles may not have more than one ornamental lamp bar or auxiliary lighting strip equipped.

DEFINITION

Defined 'ornamental lamp bar or auxiliary lighting strip' as non-original equipment no longer than 60 inches, no wider than 2 inches, and no deeper than one inch.

EXEMPTIONS

Added exemption for vehicles with original rear lighting equipment from a manufacturer that is consistent with an ornamental lamp bar or auxiliary lighting strip.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 1, 2025 · House Jun 17, 2025

How they voted

48–1

Passed

Total votes 49

Apr 1, 2025

D Democratic22

21 Yea 1 Nay

95% Yea

R Republican27

27 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 17, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (26-0)

house

Jun 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported as committed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Transportation

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported as amended

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Committee

Referred to Transportation

upper

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors