The Pennsylvania Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee passed a bill on May 6 that would amend the Automobile Lemon Law to include recreational vehicles.

House Bill 804 was reported as amended, on a party-line vote, with Republicans voting to oppose.

Two bill amendments were adopted. AA00431 removes the definitions of “house,” “coach,” “house trailer,” “motor home,” “recreational trailer and truck” and “truck camper,” and replaces the definition of “recreational vehicle” with the definition already found in the statute. AA00490 changes the date the recreational vehicles will be covered from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027, and specifies the recreational vehicles that do not have an odometer are covered within a period of one year following the actual delivery of the recreational vehicle.

Representative Liz Hanbidge (D-Montgomery) is the prime sponsor of HB 804. She explained to the committee that the bill adds recreational vehicles (RVs) to Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law, which currently covers new vehicles and motorcycles. She emphasized many Pennsylvanians, particularly retirees, invest heavily in RVs and deserve consumer protections. She added that RV buyers face the risk of dealing with unresolved mechanical issues without legal recourse and the bill would grant RV purchasers the right to repair, replace or refund for persistent defects, and ensure proper title labeling for transparency.

Minority Chairman Carl Metzgar (R-Somerset) opposed HB 804, arguing that it addresses a problem that does not warrant legislative action. He contended that RVs are luxury items and are not essential transportation like cars and motorcycles, which the Lemon Law was originally designed to protect. He also noted that RVs are complex, mobile homes subject to many potential issues, and he argued that extending the lemon law protections to them is inappropriate.

Representative Jim Haddock (D-Luzerne) spoke in favor of the bill, saying that consumers deserve a refund or replacement if an RV repeatedly fails to be repaired, just as they would with other vehicles. He challenged the notion that RVs are merely luxury items, pointing out that even second household cars, which are often non-essential, are still covered by the law.

Representative Craig Williams (R-Delaware) opposed the bill, arguing lemon laws were never intended to cover non-essential, non-motorized items like RVs, trailers or pop-up campers. He noted that many high-cost purchases, such as homes, are not covered by lemon laws, despite their value.

HB 804 can now go to the House floor for a vote any time during this legislative session. Watch your email for PRVCA action alerts asking you to contact your representative in opposition to this bill.