Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB797

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/30/25
• Refer: 5/30/25

Caption

In fees, further providing for exemption of persons, entities and vehicles from fees.

Summary

SB 797 would amend Pennsylvania’s vehicle fee exemption law to create a new registration-fee exemption for certain disabled veterans. Under the bill, a veteran receiving disability benefits for injuries or other disability incurred during active service in the U.S. armed forces or the Commonwealth would not pay the normal vehicle registration fee if the veteran’s total annual income does not exceed $19,200. Instead, the Department of Transportation would charge a $10 processing fee for issuing or renewing the registration. The bill also requires that, unless the veteran is physically or mentally incapable of driving, the veteran must be the principal driver of the vehicle, though another person may drive it from time to time. The measure would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Impact

SB 797 would modify Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically the section governing exemptions from vehicle registration fees. It would expand the list of persons eligible for a reduced-cost registration by adding low-income disabled veterans who receive qualifying disability benefits. In practical terms, the bill would reduce registration costs for eligible veterans while preserving a small administrative processing fee, and it would impose a principal-driver requirement tied to the veteran beneficiary.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the lack of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a targeted benefit for disabled veterans and likely reflects supportive intent from its bipartisan and veteran-focused sponsorship. The bill’s structure suggests a generally favorable policy approach centered on financial relief for a narrow group of vehicle owners. No formal opposition, amendments, or recorded vote outcomes are included in the available context.

Contention

The main policy questions raised by the bill are eligibility and administration: whether the income cap of $19,200 is set appropriately, how disability status and qualifying service will be verified, and how strictly the principal-driver requirement will be enforced. Another possible point of contention is the limitation to veterans receiving disability benefits, which excludes other disabled drivers or veterans above the income threshold. No specific objections or opposing viewpoints are provided in the available transcripts or voting history.