Inside this issue

• Real Estate Caucus Convenes
• Legislative Committee supports proposed legislation
• PAR joins PA Competes coalition

Real Estate Caucus Convenes

PAR leadership met with the Real Estate Caucus this week during the Winter Business Meetings in Harrisburg. Several legislators have been invited to join the caucus, in addition to the previous caucus members.

President Todd Polinchock welcomed Rep. Sue Helm, the co-chair of the Real Estate Caucus.

The group discussed House Bill 1421, sponsored by Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin), which would require home inspectors to be licensed. Home inspector organizations favor licensing, although some changes to the proposed legislation were discussed.

Rep. Jamie Santora (R-Delaware), who introduced House Bill 1480 said he believes the bill may be amended into another bill and will move forward. The proposed legislation amends Act 99 of 2000, the Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act, which was created to protect real estate sales by allowing municipalities to inspect "for sale" homes for property maintenance violations, but also requiring that certificates of occupancy be issued unless the property is "unfit for habitation." Unfortunately, some municipalities have chosen to define "unfit for habitation" as any property maintenance violation, no matter how minor. House Bill 1480 would redefine "unfit for habitation" to provide clearer guidance to local code enforcement officials.

PAR President Todd Polinchock provided the legislators with an overview of Pennsylvania's housing market report. He also highlighted PAR's Welcome Home consumer survey.

Legislator members of the caucus include: Senators Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), Pat Stefano (R-Fayette), and Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin); and Representatives Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie), Rosemary Brown (R-Monroe), Tina Davis (D-Bucks), Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery), Mike Driscoll (D-Philadelphia), Sue Helm (R-Dauphin), Jerry Knowles (R-Schuylkill), Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland), Jamie Santora (R-Delaware), Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery), and Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks).

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	Legislative Committee supports proposed legislation
	PAR's Legislative Committee voted to send a letter of support for legislation proposed by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), which would amend the Sewage Facilities Act. During a recent hearing of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, in which PAR provided testimony, the consensus of presenters was that the use of "alternative systems" sewage systems for planning purposes should be allowed throughout the commonwealth. Currently, the department only allows for "conventional systems" to be used in site planning. Once the lots are created, "alternative systems" may then be installed. Allowing for "alternative systems" in the planning process would widen the area to which development can take place and save valuable acreage that could otherwise be used for agriculture. Alternative systems are currently being utilized in other states and are academically tested.
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PAR joins PA Competes coalition

PAR's Board of Directors approved joining the PA Competes coalition at the Winter Business Meetings this week in Harrisburg. The coalition of nearly 400 Pennsylvania employers support the Pennsylvania Fairness Act to end discrimination.

The Pennsylvania Fairness Act - House Bill 1510 (D-Frankel/R-Killion)/Senate Bill 974 (R-Browne/D-Farnese) - will update the state's Human Relations Act to ensure that sexual orientation and gender identity and expression cannot be used as the basis of discrimination.

"Realtors® are bound by the National Association of Realtors® Code of Ethics, which already prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We believe it's critical that Pennsylvania provide a housing and work environment free of discrimination," said Todd Polinchock, PAR president. "The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® is proud to stand with the hundreds of other organizations who support a law that affirms that the right to housing should not be hindered because of sexual orientation or gender identity."

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January 29, 2016