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HB 2526

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to operation of vehicles, providing for automated litter enforcement systems in public rights-of-way and highways; and imposing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Ciresi and 1 co-sponsor

The bill authorizes automated litter enforcement on Pennsylvania public rights-of-way and highways, including issuing notices and penalties to vehicle owners for litter violations

Referred to Environmental & Natural Resource Protection
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2526

Overview

HB 2526 (2025-2026 Session, Pennsylvania) amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to address automated litter enforcement systems in public rights-of-way and highways. The bill proposes specific provisions governing the use of automated devices to detect and enforce littering violations, along with corresponding penalties. Co-sponsor: Gary Day.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a statutory framework for automated litter enforcement in public rights-of-way and on state and local highways.
  • Create enforceable standards for how littering violations may be recorded, processed, and penalized when detected by automated systems.
  • Provide clear authority and guidelines to implement and operate automated litter enforcement in a manner consistent with vehicle and traffic laws.

Key provisions and changes

  • Authorization of automated litter enforcement: The bill provides statutory authority to deploy automated systems (e.g., cameras or other devices) to identify individuals who litter from vehicles or within specified rights-of-way and highway corridors.
  • Scope and locations: Provisions delineate where automated litter enforcement may be used, focusing on public rights-of-way and highways within the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. It may specify criteria for areas prone to litter or areas requiring monitoring.
  • Notice and documentation: The bill outlines procedures for issuing notices of violation (NOVs) or equivalent documentary process to the registered owner or vehicle operator as defined by existing traffic-enforcement rules. It may require retention of imagery or data for a specified period and standards for accuracy.
  • Penalties: The bill establishes penalties for violations captured by automated systems. These could include fines, potential surcharges, and any applicable civil penalties. The specific monetary amounts and tiers would be defined within the text.
  • Administrative and procedural safeguards: Provisions likely address challenges, including dispute resolution, deadlines for responding to notices, and due process considerations to ensure accuracy and fairness in automated enforcement.
  • Relationship to existing enforcement: The bill may clarify how automated enforcement interacts with traditional law enforcement, how violations are recorded in the motor vehicle record, and any interplay with local ordinances.

Who would be affected

  • Vehicle owners and operators: Responsible for compliance with violations identified by automated litter enforcement.
  • Local and state transportation agencies: Authorized to deploy and manage automated enforcement systems in public rights-of-way and on highways.
  • Litter-related offenders: Individuals who discard litter in monitored areas, as detected by automated devices.
  • Courts and administrative agencies: Involved in processing appeals, disputes, and civil penalties associated with automated litter violations.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Implementation timeline: The bill would specify when automated litter enforcement may be deployed and become enforceable, potentially outlining phased deployment or pilot programs.
  • Notice and appeal timelines: Deadlines for responding to notices of violation and for appealing determinations are typically defined (e.g., timeframes to contest, payment deadlines, and hearing rights).
  • Data retention and privacy: Provisions may set limits on data storage, usage, and privacy protections for footage and identifiers collected by automated systems.
  • Repeals or amendments: The bill would modify existing provisions in Title 75 related to operation of vehicles and enforcement to accommodate automated litter enforcement.

Potential impact

  • Enhanced litter-control capability: Automated enforcement could deter littering in high-visibility or high-traffic areas by increasing the likelihood of detection.
  • Administrative burden and costs: Implementation would involve equipment, maintenance, data management, notification processes, and potential appeals, with associated budget considerations.
  • Fairness and due process considerations: Safeguards would be important to address accuracy, misidentification, and the right to contest penalties.

Please note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated structure and typical elements of automated enforcement measures. For precise language, definitions, specific penalty amounts, and procedural timelines, consult the bill’s text and fiscal impact statements once released.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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