Legislative Priorities

Understanding legislative priorities for the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania General Assembly

Priority Level 1 – PAR will aggressively pursue a legislative or regulatory initiative in this top category because of its significant and direct impact on the real estate industry. PAR will use all necessary staff and volunteer resources to pass or defeat the initiative.

Priority Level 1 Issues:

• Realty Transfer Tax – Assessed on all types of real property when ownership is exchanged, this state and local tax presents a major burden to buyer and seller. Increases would negatively affect all in the industry.

• RELRA Amendments – Proposed amendments to the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act, which governs the practice of real estate and associated licenses, would provide for the release of escrow and the use of entities.

Priority Level 2 – PAR will address these legislative or regulatory initiatives because they impact a broad segment of the industry and they may move or pass during the current session. PAR will use appropriate staff and volunteers resources to support or oppose the initiative if they do not interfere with Priority 1 issues.

Priority Level 2 Issues:

• Appraiser Trainee Certification – With a trainee certification, individuals would be able to perform appraisals while earning experience to apply for a certified general or certified residential classification.

• Impact Fees – A financial levy imposed on developers or builders, PAR believes that impact fees hamper and deter development in our nation’s communities and is opposed to any expansion or increase in existing fees.
  
  

• Urban Renewal – The Pennsylvania General Assembly continues to review issues impacting abandoned and blighted property and effective methods of stimulating the economic revitalization of Pennsylvania boroughs, cities, and urban areas. PAR will seek amendments consistent with the recommendations of the Urban Renewal Task Force.

Priority Level 3 – PAR will appropriately address these issues that impact a narrower industry segment than Priority 2 issues if they are expected to move or pass during the current session. PAR will use appropriate staff and volunteer resources to support or oppose the initiative if they do not interfere with Priority 1 or 2 issues.

Priority Level 3 Issues:

• Assessment Appeals – Current law has created a loop hole for corporate authorities to legally appeal assessments without technically conducting spot reassessment. This practice was confirmed by the Commonwealth Court and later upheld by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Vees v. Carbon County Board of Assessment Appeals. PAR supports legislation to prohibit local taxing entities from reassessing property without a countywide reassessment.

• Disposal of Tenant Abandoned Personal Property – Proposed legislation would provide that ten days after a tenant has relinquished property, a landlord would have no further responsibility to the tenant may dispose of the property.

• Landowner Liability - PAR supports legislation that would reduce landowner liability when allowing public access to private property.

• Monitored Security - PAR opposes legislation that would require landlords to install monitored security systems in tenement buildings and multiple dwellings.

Priority Level 4 – PAR will begin considering issues that are not expected to be enacted or implemented during the upcoming session but are identified as important for the future by conducting forums, task forces, and work groups to educate members before legislative or regulatory action is formulated.

Priority Level 4 Issues:

• Right-of-Rescission – Federal law allows consumers to nullify or rescind a contract within three days of signing it without penalty. Although this law has never been applied to real estate agents, there are potential dangers, particularly for listing agreements.

Contact Derenda Updegrave, Director of Government Affairs: dupdegrave@parealtor.org