House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	December 6, 2017 11:39 AM
From:	Representative Michael H. O'Brien
To:	All House members
Subject:	Co-Sponsorship-Subject: Uniform definition of “blight”

In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to amend Title 1 (General Provisions) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to provide a uniform definition for the term “blight”. Such definition would apply whenever the term is used in any statute enacted after 1937, and in all future statutes, unless clearly stated otherwise. A standard definition for blight would eliminate the need to specifically define the term in each blight remediation bill introduced, thereby avoiding what can often be a point of contention, and significantly speeding up the legislative approval process for such measures. However, it would not prevent the inclusion of an alternative definition for the term in some future act should it be determined that it is warranted. I would note that this proposal has the full support of the Bicameral/Bipartisan Statewide Blight Task Force, headed by Senator David Argall, as well as the Department of Community and Economic Development, which often provides guidance on blight-related legislation. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this common-sense bill.

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