Substitute House Bill No. 7132, effective October 1, 2025, introduces significant amendments to traffic laws, particularly concerning vehicle number plate display and lighting requirements. The bill mandates that vehicles with two number plates must display them at both the front and rear, with the option to place one against the rear window if legible. It also clarifies that number plates must be "substantially unobscured" for visibility and requires owners to report any loss or damage within 48 hours. Additionally, the bill amends vehicle lighting regulations, specifying that vehicles must have at least two lighted lamps on the front and introduces penalties for non-compliance, including infractions for operators without the required lamps.

Moreover, the bill addresses cannabis consumption while driving, classifying smoking or ingesting cannabis as a class C misdemeanor under certain conditions, while also clarifying that a person cannot be convicted of both smoking cannabis while driving and possessing a controlled substance in the same transaction. It further modifies penalties for reckless driving and speeding, establishing a new threshold for speeding violations and outlining license suspension periods for individuals under eighteen committing specific traffic violations. The bill also repeals and substitutes certain sections to clarify municipal liability regarding speed limits on private roads and streamline legal proceedings. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance road safety and ensure compliance with updated vehicle regulations.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 14-96a, 14-96c, 14-96y, 14-99f
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 14-96a, 14-96c, 14-96y, 14-99f
File No. 767: 14-96a, 14-96c, 14-96y, 14-99f
File No. 909: 14-96a, 14-96c, 14-96y, 14-99f, 14-222, 14-81b, 14-219b, 54-1q
Public Act No. 25-19: 14-96a, 14-96c, 14-96y, 14-99f, 14-222, 14-81b, 14-219b, 54-1q