Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SR 278: A Resolution recognizing the month of April 2026 as "Fair Housing Month" in Pennsylvania and designating April 30, 2026, as "Affordable Homeownership Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates April 2026 as "Fair Housing Month" and April 30, 2026, as "Affordable Homeownership Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the legacy of the Fair Housing Act and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The bill directly affects the state's residents, financial institutions, community organizations, and local governments by encouraging them to promote equitable lending and remove barriers to homeownership. It formally commends the National Association of Real Estate Brokers for its work in expanding housing access for Black families and underserved communities. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about housing disparities rather than implementing new laws or funding programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes fair housing and affordable homeownership by designating awareness months, encouraging equitable lending and removing barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2330: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in service and facilities, providing for master-meter system and submetering program for landlord ratepayers; and establishing programs.

This bill creates a new program in Pennsylvania to help landlords and tenants manage energy costs by switching from individual meters to a single master meter for the entire building. Under the proposed system, landlords would install their own submeters to track individual tenant usage, allowing for more accurate billing while giving tenants access to energy efficiency technologies and savings programs. The legislation mandates specific protections for tenants, including requirements for accurate meter testing, lease verification before conversion, and options for managing energy consumption within their units. Additionally, the bill establishes rules for how landlords can participate in utility programs and ensures that disconnection processes include proper notice and payment plan options.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes energy efficiency by enabling submetering, which encourages tenant participation in energy savings programs and reduces overall consumption.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tenant protections and promotes energy efficiency to lower costs, directly supporting affordable housing and tenant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2430: An Act establishing the Office of Transformation and Opportunity and the Commonwealth Housing Ombudsman.

This bill creates a new Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Governor's Office to streamline economic development projects and coordinate resources across state agencies. The office will act as a central hub to speed up permit reviews, manage funding applications, and ensure that projects benefit disadvantaged communities. It also establishes a Commonwealth Housing Ombudsman to resolve disputes and align policies related to residential housing needs. The office will be led by a Chief Officer appointed by the Governor, who will report directly to the Governor and produce annual reports on economic progress.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a Housing Ombudsman to resolve disputes and align policies for residential housing needs, directly strengthening housing protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1300: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, providing for exemption from tax for early withdrawal from certain accounts.

This Pennsylvania bill, SB 1300, amends the state's personal income tax code to allow tax-free withdrawals from certain retirement accounts for specific life events. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents who hold these accounts and plan to access funds for a child's birth or adoption or to purchase a first-time home. Under the new provisions, parents may withdraw up to $5,000 individually or $10,000 combined per child, while first-time homebuyers can withdraw up to $10,000. The legislation aligns state tax treatment with federal exemptions for these categories of early withdrawals. These tax exemptions will apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by allowing tax-free withdrawals for specific life events, directly advancing the tax topic area.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allows tax-free withdrawals for first-time home purchases, providing financial assistance that supports housing acquisition.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 1299: An Act providing for a tax credit for retrofitting residential high-rise structures with an automatic fire sprinkler system and associated monitoring or detection devices.

This Pennsylvania legislation establishes a tax credit for owners of residential high-rise buildings located in major cities. The credit is designed to offset the costs of installing or upgrading automatic fire sprinkler systems and associated monitoring equipment within these structures. Owners may receive a credit equal to the amount spent on the retrofitting or up to 100% of their income tax liability, whichever is less. The Office of the Mayor in the respective city will administer the program and determine which buildings qualify as high-rise structures. The tax credit becomes available for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides a tax credit to offset retrofitting costs, offering direct tax relief and fiscal incentives for property owners.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds safety retrofits for high-rise housing, protecting tenant safety and preserving existing housing stock.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 1216: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for residential rental application fees.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate residential rental application fees and background check policies. It limits application fees to the lesser of the actual cost of a background check or $50, allowing landlords to charge only for criminal history and credit checks. The legislation also requires landlords to make individualized assessments when considering criminal history, evaluating factors like the nature of the offense and time elapsed since conviction. These rules apply only to residential properties and cannot be waived by applicants through contracts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits application fees and requires individualized assessments for criminal history, protecting tenants' civil rights and reducing discriminatory practices in housing.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits application fees and requires individualized assessments for criminal history, protecting tenant rights and reducing barriers to housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HR 457: A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the feasibility of eliminating property taxes for certain seniors in this Commonwealth.

This House Resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study whether Pennsylvania could eliminate property taxes for some seniors. The study will examine options like exempting low-income seniors from property taxes, creating a graduated tax scale based on income, and identifying ways to prevent fraud. It also requires the committee to find alternative funding sources for local governments if property tax relief is implemented. The committee must submit its findings to the General Assembly within 120 days. The resolution does not change any laws but initiates a review of potential property tax relief for older Pennsylvanians.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes property tax relief for seniors, providing tax breaks to lower-income groups while requiring alternative funding analysis for local governments.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill studies property tax elimination for seniors, which could increase affordable housing access for elderly populations75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Tags Seniors

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1239: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in zoning, further providing for ordinance provisions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to allow local governments to approve certain residential developments without enforcing standard zoning restrictions like minimum lot sizes, building height limits, or mandatory setbacks. It applies specifically to multifamily, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse projects in nonresidential zones, provided the developer has secured water and sewer connections from municipal systems. Under the new rules, these developments would not be subject to existing zoning requirements for density, parking, walls, fences, or open space, while still maintaining basic accessibility standards. The legislation defines key terms such as mixed-use (residential with less than 50% nonresidential space on the first floor) and adaptive reuse (retaining at least two exterior walls of an existing building). The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes zoning restrictions for multifamily and mixed-use developments, facilitating increased housing supply and density in nonresidential zones.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2282: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in judgments and other liens, providing for bankruptcy exemption.

This bill amends Pennsylvania law to allow individuals and married couples filing for bankruptcy to choose between federal exemptions or a new state-specific set of protections for their assets. The state options include up to $650,000 in home equity, $50,000 to $100,000 in personal property, $20,000 to $40,000 in vehicle equity, and various protected items like wages, Social Security benefits, and government assistance programs. Dollar amounts in the state exemptions will automatically adjust every three years based on inflation data published by the federal government. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted, applying to bankruptcy proceedings filed in Pennsylvania courts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases bankruptcy home equity exemptions, strengthening property protection and asset security for homeowners.75% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 900: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, prohibiting the taxation of real property.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania that would ban all taxes on real property, including land and buildings owned by individuals or businesses. The change would take effect on July 1, 2030, and would apply to taxes imposed by the state government, local municipalities, school districts, or any other political subdivision within the Commonwealth. To become law, the amendment must pass both houses of the General Assembly and then be approved by voters in a statewide election. The bill argues that taxing property violates the inherent right to own and protect property, a principle recognized since Pennsylvania's founding in 1776.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prohibits all real property taxes, providing significant tax relief and reducing government revenue, which aligns with opposing taxation on this topic.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBanning real property taxation would eliminate a major funding source for school districts, likely reducing education funding and limiting educational access.75% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEliminating property taxes would reduce funding for affordable housing programs, schools, and municipal services that support housing stability and development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Development Property Taxes

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