A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the effectiveness and performance of the Municipalities Planning Code and its preparation for review and enforcement under the Department of Community and Economic Development.
This Senate Resolution (SR 211) directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the effectiveness of the Municipalities Planning Code - the state's primary zoning law - and its enforcement by the Department of Community and Economic Development. The study must examine impacts on housing affordability, municipal costs (including staffing and fees), and compare Pennsylvania's practices to those of other states. The committee must issue a report with findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 180 days. This resolution does not change laws but seeks data to inform future legislative action.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2026
Last action Apr 21, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Printer's No. PN1401
→
Printer's No. PN1507
·
5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was updated to reflect its progression through the legislative process, adding the sponsor who amended it and the new printer's number. Substantively, the resolution expanded its scope to include a detailed study on modernizing zoning laws, specifically examining the impacts of traditional single-family zoning and proposing reforms like allowing missing middle housing and accessory dwelling units.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a general review of the Municipalities Planning Code to a specific mandate analyzing traditional zoning practices and proposing incremental reforms to increase housing supply and affordability.
TIMELINE
Added a new line item indicating the bill was amended by Senator Keefer on March 17, 2026.
ENFORCEMENT
Modified the description of the Governor's Center for Local Government Services to include providing assistance and education, rather than just enforcing the law.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new requirement for the study to examine the prevalence and impacts of traditional zoning practices, including use-based segregation and hierarchical restrictions.
Added a new requirement for the study to review incremental zoning reforms, such as relaxing single-family-only zoning to allow duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units.
TECHNICAL
Updated the document header and page numbers to reflect the new printer's number (PN 1507) and included page markers from the amendment process.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 21, 2026
How they voted
46–2
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 50
Apr 21, 2026
D
Democratic23
91% Yea
R
Republican27
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Apr 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Adopted
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported as amended
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
Referred to Local Government
upper
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SR 211
Scope: PA
Hi! I can help you understand SR 211. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline