Argall bill to provide demolition funding clears Senate committee

HARRISBURG – The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, chaired by Senator Scott Wagner (R-York), unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) to allow counties to generate funds for demolition purposes.

“I’m grateful for the committee’s swift passage of this needed provision to allow counties to create a fee for demolition projects,” Argall said. “Revitalization is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and this legislation will give counties that have a need for demolition funding with an added tool in their anti-blight toolbox.”

Argall’s bill, Senate Bill 486, will allow the option for counties to add up to $15 on any special deed and mortgage a recording fee for demolition purposes.

“Any county in need of demolition funding will be able to utilize this additional resource,” Argall said. “Demolition funding may not be a priority for every county, but this allows the counties to use that option.”

Committee member Senator Shirley Kitchen commended Argall’s bipartisan efforts. “We should commend Senator Argall for his work in this area how this was done in a bipartisan manner,” Kitchen said.

Committee Chairman Scott Wagner stated, “Thank you for your work on this. We do have a lot of challenges with blight. It’s not just in one spot in Pennsylvania; it’s all over – rural and cities.”

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