Bill > HB743

This bill amends Pennsylvania's land bank laws to provide a more detailed process for municipalities to acquire abandoned or blighted properties. Under the new provisions, a municipality can authorize a land bank to acquire a property if it has been abandoned or vacant for five consecutive years, has a history of building code or municipal ordinance violations, and the owner has been unsuccessfully notified at least three times to remediate these issues. The bill establishes a formal notification and appeal process for property owners, allowing them to present a redevelopment plan within 30 days of receiving notice of potential land bank acquisition. If an owner is granted an appeal, the municipality can inspect the property to ensure the redevelopment plan is being implemented, and can revoke the appeal and proceed with land bank acquisition if the plan is not progressing as scheduled. The bill also clarifies that when a land bank acquires a property, it must pay just compensation to the property owner, which is calculated as the appraised property value minus any existing fines, liens, or remediation costs. The new law will take effect 60 days after its passage, providing a structured approach to addressing long-term property abandonment and blight.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=743