House transportation panel allows legislative staff, online messengers to certify illegible license plates

The House Transportation Committee on Monday adopted an amendment and unanimously voted to report House Bill 541 as amended, a measure that would allow trained staff in legislative district offices and employees of online messenger services to certify the illegibility of license plates for replacement purposes.

Kyle (staff member) summarized the bill to the committee: "House bill 5 41 by representative Fitz amends the vehicle code to authorize individuals employed as a staff person in a district office of a member of the Pennsylvania senate or house of representatives to certify the illegibility of a license plate. The individual would be required to complete a training program approved by PennDOT in order to be an authorized individual." The bill, as introduced, extends current certification authority beyond law enforcement and certified inspection mechanics.

Chairman Ed Nielsen offered amendment A00125 to add language allowing employees of online messengers to certify illegible plates. According to committee remarks, the amendment "inserts language allowing individuals employed by online messengers to also certify if a license plate is illegible" and is supported by the prime sponsor and by AAA and the Online Messengers Association. Nielsen said, "This amendment simply ensures that PennDOT will continue that process," adding the committee understands PennDOT already planned to make the change without separate legislation.

Representative Jonathan Fritz, the bill sponsor, told the committee the change is designed to help constituents: "Constituent services is paramount in our line of business, and increasing convenience and simply doing right by Pennsylvanians is the goal here." Committee members raised no objections during debate, and there were no negative votes on the amendment or the bill as amended.

Procedure: Amendment A00125 was adopted, and House Bill 541 was reported as amended unanimously. Representative Hamm moved to report the bill as amended; Representative Carrie Benninghoff seconded the motion.

The measure would amend provisions of the vehicle code and requires completion of a PennDOT-approved training program for authorized individuals. The committee discussion identified PennDOT as the implementing agency and noted support from private organizations; no opposition was recorded during the meeting.