PRINTER'S NO. 1726
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
960
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY FREEMAN, SANCHEZ, N. NELSON, HILL-EVANS, McNEILL,
HOHENSTEIN, DELLOSO, BRIGGS, DRISCOLL, HOWARD, LONGIETTI,
SCHWEYER AND NEILSON, JUNE 8, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON URBAN AFFAIRS, JUNE 8, 2021
AN ACT
Amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in land banks, further
providing for legislative findings and purpose, for powers
and for disposition of property and providing for exemption
from realty transfer tax.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 2102 and 2107 of Title 68 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended by adding
paragraphs to read:
§ 2102. Legislative findings and purpose.
The General Assembly finds and declares that:
* * *
(6) Land banks, if used effectively, can be a powerful
tool in the fight against homelessness. Using land banks to
transform vacant, abandoned or tax-delinquent properties into
housing facilities for homeless individuals provides tangible
benefits to municipalities, including the restoration of
blighted property and the ability to provide necessary
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resources to one of this Commonwealth's most vulnerable
populations.
§ 2107. Powers.
A land bank constitutes a public body, corporate and politic,
exercising public powers of the Commonwealth necessary or
appropriate to carry out this chapter, including the following
powers:
* * *
(16.1) To enter into partnerships, joint ventures and
other collaborative relationships with other entities,
including private developers, for the conversion of vacant,
abandoned, tax-delinquent or otherwise blighted property into
housing facilities for homeless individuals.
* * *
Section 2. Section 2110(e)(1) of Title 68 is amended by
adding a subparagraph to read:
§ 2110. Disposition of property.
* * *
(e) Ranking of priorities.--
(1) A land bank jurisdiction may establish a
hierarchical ranking of priorities for the use of real
property conveyed by a land bank, including use for:
* * *
(i.1) Housing for homeless individuals.
* * *
Section 3. Title 68 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 2121. Exemption from realty transfer tax.
A transfer of real property to or from a land bank shall be
exempt from both the State and local realty transfer tax under
Articles XI-C and XI-D of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,
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No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, and section 301.1
of the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The
Local Tax Enabling Act.
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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