HARRISBURG, PA – Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) applauded Senate passage of Senate Bill 1182, a bipartisan effort with Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) to update Pennsylvania’s Board of Vehicles Act and modernize the rules governing vehicle manufacturers, distributors and local dealerships.
The bill passed the Senate by a unanimous vote (50:0) and now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
“The way we buy, service and use vehicles has changed dramatically,” Boscola said. “Today’s vehicles are tied to software, subscriptions, over-the-air updates, connected data systems and new service requirements. Pennsylvania law needs to keep pace with that marketplace.”
SB 1182 updates several provisions of the Board of Vehicles Act, including warranty reimbursement, dealer and consumer data protections, manufacturer-required loaner vehicles, vendor choice, software-based vehicle features and the relationship between manufacturers, distributors and local dealerships.
Boscola said the legislation recognizes the continuing role local dealerships play for Pennsylvania consumers.
“Local dealerships are often the first place consumers turn when they buy a vehicle, need warranty work, need service, need a loaner or need help resolving an issue,” Boscola said. “These businesses employ people in our communities and remain the front line for consumers when something goes wrong.”
The Board of Vehicles Act was enacted in 1983 and last substantially updated in 2018. Senate Bill 1182 now moves to the House of Representatives.
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