House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

Posted:	July 16, 2021 11:52 AM
From:	Representative Austin A. Davis
To:	All House members
Subject:	Updating the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Law (Companion to SB 811)

Since 2012, nearly 30 land banks across the Commonwealth have worked diligently to facilitate smart, community-based land recycling strategies. While many are thriving, several Allegheny County land banks continue to struggle with the difficult property acquisition process. Currently, our region utilizes the Second Class City Treasurer’s Sale and Collection Act for land recycling, which does not automatically result in a clean title for land bank acquisitions. To remedy this, I will be introducing legislation to amend the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Law to grant cities and counties of the Second Class the ability to acquire property at a sheriff’s sale. This process, currently used in Philadelphia, will enable our local landbanks to acquire the thousands of abandoned and vacant properties burdening our communities more efficiently. Blight restoration is a crucial aspect of any thriving community, and we must ensure that our Allegheny County land banks have all the tools necessary for successful land recycling. Thank you for your consideration.
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Introduced as HB1750