HARRISBURG — A bill proposing the forfeiture and disposal of dirt bikes and all-terrain automobiles driven illegally on public roads in all Pennsylvania cities generated state House debate on authorities seizures of civilian property and created unlikely allies throughout celebration traces.
HARRISBURG — A proposal to grab dirt bikes and all-terrain automobiles driven illegally on public roads in all Pennsylvania cities moved one step nearer to regulation after the state House permitted the measure Friday.
State representatives voted 135-65, with 58 Republicans opposed, to approve Senate Bill 1183. Since it was beforehand amended within the House, the bill returns to the Senate for a vote on concurrence. If concurred, the measure would go to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature.
The bill prompted prolonged debate on the House ground Thursday about authorities seizures of civilian property. Opponents argued the penalty is overly harsh for a abstract offense and an instance of authorities overreach. Supporters say fines aren’t sufficient to discourage reckless driving that endangers pedestrians and motorists.
HARRISBURG — A bill proposing the forfeiture and disposal of dirt bikes and all-terrain automobiles driven illegally on public roads in all Pennsylvania cities generated state House debate on authorities seizures of civilian property and created unlikely allies throughout celebration traces.
Under the bill, courtroom seizures of the precise off-road automobiles could be allowed when operators are caught using illegally and recklessly on highways, sidewalks and bike lanes.
Seizure wouldn’t happen except a defendant is convicted of the abstract offense, nonetheless, the automobiles may very well be impounded by police till the case is settled.
Under state regulation on asset forfeiture, the automobiles may very well be offered off, repurposed or scrapped, costing the proprietor probably hundreds in a sunk funding.
The measure applies to dirt bikes and all-terrain automobiles. It wouldn’t apply to street-and-trail bikes, electrical bikes or any automobile required to be registered.
All of the state’s 56 municipalities categorized as cities might implement the proposed regulation together with third-class cities like Shamokin and Sunbury, Johnstown, Meadville and Titusville, New Castle, Farrell, Hermitage and Sharon, Franklin City and Oil City.