TO:  Manufacturers, Distributors, and Pennsylvania Dealers    

FROM:  Ben Ford, Legislative Chairman  

DATE:  March 8, 2005

SUBJECT:  Pennsylvania House Bill 277

Representative Preston has introduced House Bill 277 in the Pennsylvania House                    of Representatives at the request of the International Window Film Association           (IWFA) on behalf of its members in Pennsylvania.  This legislation, if passed, would                offer stricter penalties for violation, visible-light transmission allowances that                provide equity between sport-utility vehicles and passenger cars, and simplified   enforcement guidelines.  In the absence of this legislation Pennsylvania will con-                  tinue to struggle with the persistence of illegal tinting jobs as a result of a law that                   is difficult to enforce.  Additionally, law abiding window film installers’ businesses              will suffer as the underground illegal tinters thrive.

The legislation, if enacted, will specifically provide for:

1.     the addition of limousines to the list of exempted vehicles;

2.     clarification of the medical exemption;

3.     a visible-light transmission of 70% and light reflectance of 15% on the front side windows;

4.     a visible-light transmission of 35% and a light reflectance of 15% on the rear windshield and rear side windows;

5.     a codified exemption for multi-purpose passenger vehicles;

6.     the placement of a label between the glass and sun-screening material on all tinted windows for identification of the installer;

7.     fines ranging from $100 for a first offense to $500 for repeat offenders for vehicle owners;

8.     fines ranging from $250 for a first offense to $500 for repeat offenders for installers;

9.     an enforcement tolerance of 5%;

10.   and clarified definitions of key terms that will ease the burden on law enforcement.

With these changes the new law will provide the industry and the customers a         reasonable range within which they can legally do business.  It will also mitigate               many of the problems associated with the enforcement of the current window film               law, and provide a firm penalty system to discourage violations of the law.

The IWFA strongly encourages you to contact your Representative and Senator to     support this legislative initiative.  For more information please contact the IWFA              office at (276) 666-4932.