Panel approves optional electronic vehicle registration cards with privacy protections
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Summary
House Bill 2210, as amended, would allow PennDOT to issue optional electronic vehicle registration cards that are legally equivalent to paper cards, let drivers present electronic cards without surrendering devices, and add privacy protections requested by PennDOT and the state police.
Chairman Nielsen called House Bill 2210, which permits PennDOT to issue electronic vehicle registration cards as an option for registrants who previously printed their own registration when applying online. Staffer Kyle told the committee the electronic registration card is an "electronic representation of a physical registration card," including a digital photograph, and officers may review the card on a device but are not required to retain the device.
Amendment A02685, requested by PennDOT and the state police and agreed to by the prime sponsor, adds privacy protections for information displayed on electronic devices and technical clarifications; the amendment was adopted. Prime sponsor Rep. Manny Guzman said the measure is a "bold and practical step forward" to modernize how residents carry and present registration documents and stressed the amendment aligns the bill with existing electronic ID laws and protects drivers and officers from liability if a device is inadvertently viewed or damaged.
The committee reported HB 2210 as amended; Rep. Hamm was recorded as a no on the amendment but no other negative votes were recorded on the final bill in the transcript. The bill moves forward with the committee recommendation.
