Bill > HB840

This bill amends the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act to add a new chapter that requires municipalities to consider the impact of proposed construction on endangered and threatened species before issuing building permits. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring applicants seeking a building permit to submit information about the proposed construction and its potential impact on endangered or threatened species to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 2. Giving these entities 90 days to review the information and determine if the proposed construction will have a negative effect on endangered or threatened species. 3. Prohibiting municipalities from issuing a building permit if a negative effect is found, unless the applicant mitigates or eliminates the negative impact to the satisfaction of the reviewing entity. 4. Allowing applicants to appeal the denial of a building permit due to the determination of a negative impact on endangered or threatened species. 5. Appropriating $20 million from the General Fund to the reviewing entities to hire and train staff to administer the new requirements. 6. Exempting certain residential and nonresidential building additions, alterations, and repairs from the new chapter's requirements.