PRINTER'S NO. 452
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
459
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY ARGALL, RAFFERTY, GREENLEAF AND COSTA,
FEBRUARY 28, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
FEBRUARY 28, 2017
AN ACT
Establishing the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Restoration Program;
and providing for powers and duties of the Department of
Community and Economic Development.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
Neighborhood Restoration Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Accredited architecture program." A program of study
leading to a degree in professional architecture at an
institution of higher education in this Commonwealth that is
accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Boards,
Inc.
"Blighted property." Any property described in section 12.1
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of the act of May 24, 1945 (P.L.991, No.385), known as the Urban
Redevelopment Law.
"Community design center." A not-for-profit organization
operated and managed by a licensed architect that has as a
primary function providing design and planning assistance to
community groups, not-for-profit organizations, academic
institutions and local governments for blighted properties in
impoverished areas of this Commonwealth.
"Department." The Department of Community and Economic
Development of the Commonwealth.
"Eligible architectural services." Any of the following:
(1) The design and preparation of construction documents
for housing facilities, schools, health clinics, libraries,
community centers and other public facilities.
(2) Public education sessions and community charettes.
(3) The development of comprehensive long-range
community development plans.
(4) The development of plans for neighborhoods that are
appropriate for rehabilitation or conservation activities,
including neighborhoods that are blighted, deteriorated or
deteriorating.
(5) The preservation or rehabilitation of historic
sites.
(6) The design and preparation of construction documents
for building retrofits for energy efficiency, water
efficiency and conservation improvements.
(7) Assessment of the safety of structures that are in
disrepair or have been damaged as the result of natural or
manmade disasters.
(8) The design of improvements that remove material and
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architectural barriers that restrict the mobility and
accessibility of persons with physical disabilities or
limitations.
(9) Plans for the redevelopment of traditional main
streets and business districts.
(10) Other services as determined by the Department of
Community and Economic Development to further the purpose of
this act.
"Impoverished area." An area of this Commonwealth that is
certified on the basis of Federal census studies and current
indices of social and economic conditions by the Department of
Community and Economic Development, and the certification is
approved by the Governor.
"Intern architect." A graduate of an accredited architecture
program who is a resident of this Commonwealth and who is
enrolled in the National Council of Architectural Registration
Boards' Intern Development Program.
"Program." The Pennsylvania Neighborhood Restoration Program
established under this act.
"Qualified applicant." A person who meets all of the
following criteria:
(1) Is a resident of this Commonwealth.
(2) Is an intern architect or architect registered in
this Commonwealth.
(3) Is employed as a full-time or part-time employee of
a registered architectural firm in this Commonwealth.
(4) Owes outstanding principal or interest on a
qualifying education loan.
"Qualifying education loan." A government or commercial loan
received by the qualified applicant for tuition, fees, room,
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board or other reasonable educational expenses incurred while
enrolled in an accredited architecture program at a college or
university.
Section 3. Pennsylvania Neighborhood Restoration Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Pennsylvania Neighborhood
Restoration Program is established in the Department of
Community and Economic Development.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the program is to encourage
qualified applicants to provide eligible architectural services
for blighted properties in impoverished areas and to work with
community design centers located within this Commonwealth.
(c) Loan repayment.--The department may provide funds for
qualifying education loan repayment to individuals who meet the
requirements of this act. The department shall develop an
application process to solicit and review applications from
qualified applicants and to award the loan repayment funds.
Section 4. Eligibility for program.
(a) Application.--A qualified applicant must submit an
application to the department for selection to participate in
the program. The application shall be submitted at the time, in
the manner and contain the information required by the
department. At a minimum, the application shall include all of
the following:
(1) Documentation of full-time or part-time employment
with a registered architectural firm in this Commonwealth.
(2) Proof of residency in this Commonwealth.
(3) Educational transcripts.
(4) A signed agreement to provide eligible architectural
services in an impoverished area for blighted property or to
work with a community design center located in this
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Commonwealth.
(5) Documentation of outstanding qualifying education
loans.
(6) Acknowledgment that loan repayment funds shall be
awarded on a competitive basis to selected applicants, are
dependent upon funding availability and shall be provided
following completion of eligible architectural services.
(7) Two letters of recommendation.
(8) A written letter of approval to participate in the
program from the architectural firm by which the qualified
applicant is employed, if applicable.
(b) Contract.--If selected for participation in the program,
a qualified applicant shall enter into a written contract with
the department to participate in the program.
(c) Employment.--A qualified applicant who participates in
the program shall agree for two years following the receipt of
money under the program to:
(1) continue employment with an architectural firm
registered in this Commonwealth; and
(2) continue residency in this Commonwealth.
(d) Promissory notes.--Upon receipt of funds under the
program, a qualified applicant who participates in the program
shall sign a promissory note to repay to the Commonwealth the
full amount awarded to the qualified applicant if employment or
residency in this Commonwealth terminates prior to completion of
the requirement in subsection (c).
(e) Documentation.--The department may require a qualified
applicant participating in the program to submit documentation
to the department to maintain eligibility for the program.
(f) Limitations.--
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(1) No more than $10,000 shall be awarded in any one
year to a qualified applicant.
(2) Payments to a qualified applicant under this program
may not exceed the value of the eligible architectural
services provided under subsection (a)(4).
(3) Participation in the program shall be limited to a
total of three consecutive calendar years with a maximum
payment under the program of $25,000 per qualified applicant.
(4) The department shall establish procedures for making
payments to qualified applicants.
(5) A loan repayment may not be made for a loan that is
in default at the time of application.
(g) Time period.--A qualified applicant shall be eligible
for the program regardless of whether the applicant's
outstanding qualifying education loan is acquired before or
after the effective date of this act. Services provided prior to
application and selection for the program may not be eligible
for the program.
Section 5. Funding.
Loan repayment funds under this act may be awarded to the
extent that funds are appropriated by the General Assembly or
available from other sources and are sufficient to cover the
administration of the program.
Section 6. Tax applicability.
Loan repayment funds under this act may not be considered
taxable income for purposes of Article III of the act of March
4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
Section 7. Duties of department.
The department shall administer the program and shall
promulgate any rules, regulations, procedures and forms that are
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necessary to implement this act.
Section 8. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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