Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 15 R cosponsors

SB 1298 — An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection program.

Last action — Referred to Transportation

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced April 17, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 15 sponsors

    1 primary, 14 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (15 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill prohibits certain expenditures for emission inspections and outlines exceptions for newer vehicles.

SB 1298 amends vehicle inspection regulations in Pennsylvania, including exemptions for the emission inspection of newer cars. It also stipulates a prohibition on spending for the emission inspection program for designated counties.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: Consumers with newer vehicles may benefit from a five-year exemption from emissions inspections.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

209 added · 138 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill SB 1298 includes a new provision that exempts the newest model year vehicles from emission inspections for five years after they are manufactured. This change means that owners of these vehicles won't have to pay for emissions testing during that initial period, which could save them money and potentially increase the appeal of buying new cars. After the five-year exemption, however, these vehicles will still need to undergo the required emissions inspections, ensuring they comply with environmental standards in the long run.

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PRINTER'S NO.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
1616 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
1616 PRINTER'S NO.
1695 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
WARD, BARTOLOTTA, BROOKS, GEBHARD, BAKER, MASTRIANO, STEFANO, VOGEL, PENNYCUICK, CULVER, ROTHMAN, HUTCHINSON AND MARTIN, APRIL 17, 2026 REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, APRIL 17, 2026 AN ACT Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for requirement for periodic inspection of vehicles and for prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection program.
WARD, BARTOLOTTA, BROOKS, CULVER, ROTHMAN, HUTCHINSON AND MARTIN, APRIL 17, 2026 AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, MAY 6, 2026 AN ACT Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated <-- Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for requirement for periodic inspection of vehicles and for prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection program.
AMENDING TITLE 75 (VEHICLES) OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED <-- STATUTES, IN INSPECTION OF VEHICLES, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR PROHIBITION ON EXPENDITURES FOR EMISSION INSPECTION PROGRAM.
Section 4702(g) of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding paragraphs and the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
Section 4702(g) of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania <-- Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding paragraphs and the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 4706.
20260SB1298PN1695 - 2 - § 4706.
Prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection 20260SB1298PN1616 - 2 - program.
Prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection program.
(2) For a county that is not removed from the enhanced 20260SB1298PN1616 - 3 - vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program through the process initiated under paragraph (1) and prior to the effective date of this paragraph was subject to the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program, the Department of Environmental Protection shall initiate the process of removing the county from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program if the Department of Environmental Protection can demonstrate that the county can maintain the relevant standards without benefit of the emissions reductions attributable to the vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program.
20260SB1298PN1695 - 3 - (2) For a county that is not removed from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program through the process initiated under paragraph (1) and prior to the effective date of this paragraph was subject to the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program, the Department of Environmental Protection shall initiate the process of removing the county from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program if the Department of Environmental Protection can demonstrate that the county can maintain the relevant standards without benefit of the emissions reductions attributable to the vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program.
(5) The Department of Environmental Protection shall comply with Federal law during the process of the revisions under this subsection, including by ensuring that the revisions will not interfere with attainment requirements or reasonable further progress toward attainment, and that Federal funding is not negatively impacted as a result of the revisions.
(5) The Department of Environmental Protection shall comply with Federal law during the process of the revisions under this subsection, including by ensuring that the revisions will not interfere with attainment requirements or reasonable further progress toward attainment, and that Federal funding is not negatively impacted as a result of the 20260SB1298PN1695 - 4 - revisions.
For the purposes of this paragraph, a negative 20260SB1298PN1616 - 4 - impact to Federal funding refers to the extent that the Federal Government officially and formally notifies the Commonwealth that Federal funding would be withheld due to the revisions.
For the purposes of this paragraph, a negative impact to Federal funding refers to the extent that the Federal Government officially and formally notifies the Commonwealth that Federal funding would be withheld due to the revisions.
20260SB1298PN1616 - 5 -
SECTION 1.
SECTION 4706 OF TITLE 75 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA <-- CONSOLIDATED STATUTES IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SUBSECTION TO READ:
20260SB1298PN1695 - 5 - § 4706.
PROHIBITION ON EXPENDITURES FOR EMISSION INSPECTION PROGRAM.
* * * (H.1) REVISED STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.-- (1) NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SHALL INITIATE THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE COUNTIES THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO THE ENHANCED VEHICLE EMISSION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM ON MAY 1, 2026, FROM THE ENHANCED VEHICLE EMISSION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM.
(2) THE REVISED STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN SHALL BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY NO LATER THAN AUGUST 1, 2026, AND SHALL DEMONSTRATE THAT THE COUNTIES REMOVED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) CAN MAINTAIN THE RELEVANT STANDARDS WITHOUT BENEFIT OF THE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE VEHICLE EMISSION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM.
(3) IF THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY INDICATES BY OFFICIAL AND FORMAL NOTICE THAT THE INCLUSION OF A COUNTY TO BE REMOVED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) WILL RESULT IN THE DENIAL OF THE REVISED STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN OR RESULT IN THE LOSS OF FEDERAL FUNDING, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MAY PROCEED WITH REVISIONS OF THE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN THAT WILL RESULT IN APPROVAL BY THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.
(4) IF A COUNTY IS NOT REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM DUE TO THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (3), THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SHALL, NO LESS THAN BIANNUALLY, SUBMIT REVISIONS OF THE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO REMOVE ANY COUNTY THAT WAS TO BE REMOVED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) AND WAS 20260SB1298PN1695 - 6 - NOT REMOVED AS A RESULT OF PARAGRAPH (3).
THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL EXPIRE UPON TRANSMISSION OF NOTICE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE ISSUE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA BULLETIN THAT ALL COUNTIES THAT WERE REQUIRED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM.
(5) THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SHALL NOTIFY THE FOLLOWING OF ITS SUBMISSION OF THE REVISED STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, AS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION, TO THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY:
(I) THE CHAIRPERSON AND MINORITY CHAIRPERSON OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE.
(II) THE CHAIRPERSON AND MINORITY CHAIRPERSON OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
(III) THE CHAIRPERSON AND MINORITY CHAIRPERSON OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE.
(IV) THE CHAIRPERSON AND MINORITY CHAIRPERSON OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
(6) UPON APPROVAL BY THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OF A REVISED STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, THE SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SHALL TRANSMIT NOTICE OF THE APPROVAL TO THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE ISSUE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA BULLETIN.
(7) THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MAY NOT EXPAND THE ENHANCED VEHICLE EMISSION INSPECTION AND 20260SB1298PN1695 - 7 - MAINTENANCE PROGRAM TO ADD ADDITIONAL COUNTIES THAT WERE NOT SUBJECT TO THE PROGRAM ON MAY 1, 2026.
* * * SECTION 2.
THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
20260SB1298PN1695 - 8 -
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends vehicle inspection requirements by exempting newer vehicles from emissions inspections for five years and modifying the enhanced vehicle emission inspection program for certain counties.

  • 75 Pa.C.S. § 4702

    (5) Emission inspection criteria for newest model year vehicles.--A subject vehicle shall be exempt from the requirements for emission inspection for five years after the vehicle is manufactured. A one-time certificate of exemption shall be affixed to the subject vehicle for the entire duration of the exemption and in a manner prescribed by department regulation. After the fifth year, the subject vehicle shall receive an emission inspection in accordance with this section. The following shall apply: (i) The department shall notify each official inspection station on a periodic basis of vehicles exempt from the requirements for emission inspection. (ii) This paragraph shall not apply if, and to the extent that, the Federal Government officially and formally notifies the Commonwealth that Federal funding would be withheld due to the exemption under this paragraph. Notice of nonapplicability under this subparagraph shall be transmitted by the department to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

    New vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections for the first five years after manufacture.

  • 75 Pa.C.S. § 4702

    (6) Gas cap test not required for certain vehicles.--A subject vehicle that was manufactured without a gas cap shall not be required to receive a gas cap test to determine whether the subject vehicle's gas cap is functioning as designed.

    Vehicles manufactured without gas caps are exempt from gas cap testing.

  • 75 Pa.C.S. § 4706

    (h.1) Revised State implementation plan.--(1) No later than 60 days after the effective date of this paragraph, the Department of Environmental Protection shall initiate the process of removing the following counties from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program: (i) A county of the third class with a population between 215,000 and 216,000 based on the most recent Federal decennial census. (ii) A county of the third class with a population between 325,000 and 326,000 based on the most recent Federal decennial census. (iii) A county of the third class with a population between 354,000 and 355,000 based on the most recent Federal decennial census. (iv) A county of the fourth class with a population between 133,000 and 134,000 based on the most recent Federal decennial census. (v) A county of the fifth class with a population between 122,000 and 123,000 based on the most recent Federal decennial census. (vi) A county of the fifth class with a population between 114,000 and 115,000 based on the most recent Federal decennial census. (vii) A county of the fifth class with a population between 110,000 and 111,000 based on the most recent Federal decennial census.

    Certain counties will be removed from the enhanced vehicle emissions inspection program based on population criteria.

  • 75 Pa.C.S. § 4706

    (2) For a county that is not removed from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program through the process initiated under paragraph (1) and prior to the effective date of this paragraph was subject to the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program, the Department of Environmental Protection shall initiate the process of removing the county from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program if the Department of Environmental Protection can demonstrate that the county can maintain the relevant standards without benefit of the emissions reductions attributable to the vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program.

    Counties may be removed from the program if they can demonstrate they meet relevant standards without emissions inspections.

  • 75 Pa.C.S. § 4706

    (7) Upon approval by the United States Environmental Protection Agency of a revised State implementation plan, the Secretary of Environmental Protection shall transmit notice of the approval to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

    The Department must notify relevant parties upon EPA approval of a revised implementation plan.

Action History

  1. Referred to Transportation

  2. Third consideration and final passage

  3. Amended on third consideration

  4. Re-reported as committed

  5. Re-referred to Appropriations

  6. Second consideration

  7. First consideration

  8. Reported as committed

  9. Referred to Transportation

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 14 co-sponsors · 238 not signed on · 24 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (14)

Not signed on (238)

238 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 238 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

LANGERHOLC AMENDMENT NO. A-3248

Passed 27 Yea · 23 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 25200
Democratic 22100
Total 272300
% of votes cast 54%46%0%0%
How each member voted (50)
Member Party Vote
Amanda M. Cappelletti Democratic Nay
Anthony H. Williams Democratic Nay
Art Haywood Democratic Nay
Carolyn T. Comitta Democratic Nay
Christine M. Tartaglione Democratic Nay
James Andrew Malone Democratic Nay
Jay Costa Democratic Nay
John I. Kane Democratic Nay
Judith L. Schwank Democratic Nay
Katie J. Muth Democratic Nay
Lindsey M. Williams Democratic Nay
Lisa M. Boscola Democratic Yea
Maria Collett Democratic Nay
Marty Flynn Democratic Nay
Nick Miller Democratic Yea
Nick Pisciottano Democratic Nay
Nikil Saval Democratic Nay
Patty Kim Democratic Nay
Sharif Street Democratic Nay
Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic Nay
Timothy P. Kearney Democratic Nay
Vincent J. Hughes Democratic Nay
Wayne D. Fontana Democratic Nay
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Chris Gebhard Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Daniel Laughlin Republican Yea
David G. Argall Republican Yea
Dawn W. Keefer Republican Yea
Devlin J. Robinson Republican Yea
Doug Mastriano Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Nay
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Jarrett Coleman Republican Yea
Joe Picozzi Republican Nay
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Judy Ward Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Yea
Rosemary M. Brown Republican Yea
Scott E. Hutchinson Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 29 Yea · 21 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 25200
Democratic 41900
Total 292100
% of votes cast 58%42%0%0%
How each member voted (50)
Member Party Vote
Amanda M. Cappelletti Democratic Nay
Anthony H. Williams Democratic Nay
Art Haywood Democratic Nay
Carolyn T. Comitta Democratic Nay
Christine M. Tartaglione Democratic Nay
James Andrew Malone Democratic Yea
Jay Costa Democratic Nay
John I. Kane Democratic Nay
Judith L. Schwank Democratic Nay
Katie J. Muth Democratic Nay
Lindsey M. Williams Democratic Nay
Lisa M. Boscola Democratic Yea
Maria Collett Democratic Nay
Marty Flynn Democratic Nay
Nick Miller Democratic Yea
Nick Pisciottano Democratic Nay
Nikil Saval Democratic Nay
Patty Kim Democratic Nay
Sharif Street Democratic Nay
Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic Nay
Timothy P. Kearney Democratic Nay
Vincent J. Hughes Democratic Nay
Wayne D. Fontana Democratic Yea
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Chris Gebhard Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Daniel Laughlin Republican Yea
David G. Argall Republican Yea
Dawn W. Keefer Republican Yea
Devlin J. Robinson Republican Yea
Doug Mastriano Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Nay
Gene Yaw Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Jarrett Coleman Republican Yea
Joe Picozzi Republican Nay
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Judy Ward Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lisa Baker Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Yea
Rosemary M. Brown Republican Yea
Scott E. Hutchinson Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (Appropriations): Re-Reported as Committed

Passed 13 Yea · 8 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 13001
Democratic 0800
Total 13801
% of votes cast 59%36%0%5%
How each member voted (22)
Member Party Vote
Amanda M. Cappelletti Democratic Nay
Art Haywood Democratic Nay
Jay Costa Democratic Nay
Judith L. Schwank Democratic Nay
Patty Kim Democratic Nay
Sharif Street Democratic Nay
Timothy P. Kearney Democratic Nay
Vincent J. Hughes Democratic Nay
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Daniel Laughlin Republican Yea
Devlin J. Robinson Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Jarrett Coleman Republican Yea
Joe Picozzi Republican Yea
Joe Pittman Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Not Voting
Rosemary M. Brown Republican Yea
Scott Martin Republican Yea
Tracy Pennycuick Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (Transportation): Reported as Committed

Passed 10 Yea · 4 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 9000
Democratic 1400
Total 10400
% of votes cast 71%29%0%0%
How each member voted (14)
Member Party Vote
Lindsey M. Williams Democratic Nay
Marty Flynn Democratic Yea
Nick Miller Democratic Nay
Nikil Saval Democratic Nay
Timothy P. Kearney Democratic Nay
Camera Bartolotta Republican Yea
Devlin J. Robinson Republican Yea
Elder A. Vogel Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Judy Ward Republican Yea
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Yea
Rosemary M. Brown Republican Yea
Wayne Langerholc Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

environment transportation
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 1298?
SB 1298 is sponsored by Wayne Langerholc (Republican), Kim L. Ward (Republican), Judy Ward (Republican), Camera Bartolotta (Republican), Michele Brooks (Republican), Chris Gebhard (Republican), Lisa Baker (Republican), Doug Mastriano (Republican), Patrick J. Stefano (Republican), Elder A. Vogel (Republican), Tracy Pennycuick (Republican), Lynda Schlegel Culver (Republican), Greg Rothman (Republican), Scott E. Hutchinson (Republican), and Scott Martin (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 1298?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced April 17, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 1298?
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