This bill requires corporations and unincorporated associations in Pennsylvania to report the number of single-family or low-density residential properties they own in their annual filings. It establishes a new chapter in state law that restricts certain entities from owning residential real estate and mandates a waiting period for purchases by covered investors. The legislation allows the Department of State to dissolve or cancel the registration of an entity that violates these property ownership rules at least 10 times within a three-year period. Additionally, the bill grants municipalities specific powers to enforce these restrictions and creates a private right of action for individuals to sue entities that violate the new ownership prohibitions.
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.
HB 931 would require applicants for most public benefits in Pennsylvania to provide proof of lawful presence in the United States, such as housing assistance, health programs, and non-excluded food aid. Applicants must submit identification and documentation confirming legal status when applying, but excludes specific programs like SNAP (food stamps) and refugee services as defined by federal law. The requirement does not apply to refugees, permanent residents, or nonimmigrants under certain visa categories. This bill affects individuals seeking state and local public benefits not covered by the exclusions.
SB 780 creates new rules for managing encampments in Pennsylvania. It defines an "unauthorized encampment" as a temporary structure housing three or more unrelated people on property without consent, where conditions like garbage, drug activity, or unsafe sanitation exist (an "indication of nuisance"). Property owners must remove such encampments within 30 days or face civil penalties up to $250 per day, while municipalities can enforce removal after a nuisance determination. This law directly affects property owners, local governments, and individuals living in encampments, focusing on public health and safety without creating new housing programs.
HB 316 allows Pennsylvania municipalities to deny building permits to property owners with specific unpaid debts or unaddressed violations. It directly affects owners of real property, particularly corporations or LLCs, who owe unpaid taxes, water/sewer bills, or have serious uncorrected code violations (like failing to fix blight) after six months of notification. The bill requires municipalities to specify the property address and court details in denial notices, prohibits denying permits needed to correct violations, and imposes a $1,000 fine on corporations that fail to disclose such delinquencies when applying for permits. It aims to prioritize blight remediation by linking permit access to property maintenance compliance.
SB 195 creates new criminal offenses related to property occupancy and transactions in Pennsylvania. It defines unlawful possession of dwellings (e.g., entering with criminal intent or causing $1,000+ damage) as a felony of the third degree (§ 3601), and fraudulent sales/leases of residential property as a felony of the second degree (§ 3603). The bill also establishes a streamlined process for removing unauthorized occupants (defined as "squatters" without lease or authorization) via a sworn affidavit to law enforcement, requiring proof of notice and absence of litigation (Chapter 68A). These provisions directly affect individuals occupying properties without legal right and those engaging in deceptive property transactions.
