Pennsylvania SB 963: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in realty transfer tax, further providing for transfer of tax.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1102
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 963
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ARGALL, STEFANO AND FONTANA, AUGUST 13, 2025
REFERRED TO URBAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING, AUGUST 13, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in real property,
providing for common interest communities.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Part II of Title 68 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subpart to read:
SUBPART G
COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES
Chapter
63. Municipal Services
CHAPTER 63
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Sec.
6301. Short title of chapter.
6302. Definitions.
6303. Municipal services to be provided.
6304. Reimbursement for municipal services.
6305. Arbitration.
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6306. Additional services.
6307. Applicability.
6308. Construction.
§ 6301. Short title of chapter.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Municipal
Services Equalization and Tax Fairness Act.
§ 6302. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Community." The following:
(1) A condominium as defined in section 3103 (relating
to definitions).
(2) A cooperative as defined in section 4103 (relating
to definitions).
(3) A planned community as defined in section 5103
(relating to definitions).
(4) A community under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) is a
community regardless of:
(i) Whether the community was created under this
title.
(ii) The number of units in the community.
(iii) Whether individual units are owner occupied or
leased.
(iv) The following:
(A) the public has open access to its streets;
(B) the streets have been dedicated to the
municipality; or
(C) the streets meet the construction standards
of the municipality.
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"Municipal services." The following:
(1) Any of the following services to the extent that
they are provided to a noncommunity dwelling within a
municipality or within the jurisdiction of a municipal
authority that are paid for out of the general revenues of
the municipality:
(i) Solid waste collection and disposal, including
household waste, leaves and recyclable materials.
(ii) Removal of snow, ice and other obstructions
from the cartway of roads and streets.
(iii) Lighting of the roads and streets to the
extent of payment for the electricity required, but not
including the installation or maintenance of lamps,
standards, wiring or other equipment.
(iv) Maintenance, repair and replacement of sanitary
sewer lines.
(v) Maintenance, repair and replacement of water
lines.
(vi) Providing police, fire, ambulance and other
emergency services, including fire hydrants.
(vii) Any and all other services provided by a
municipality or municipal authority to single family
dwellings.
(2) The term shall include services provided by a
municipality regardless of whether the roads, streets or
other improvements are dedicated to the municipality or owned
or controlled by the community.
"Municipality." A borough, city of the first class, city of
the second class, city of the third class, township of the first
class and township of the second class. The term shall include a
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municipal authority as defined under 53 Pa.C.S. § 5602 (relating
to definitions).
"Noncommunity dwelling." A residential dwelling which is not
part of a community.
§ 6303. Municipal services to be provided.
(a) Services.--Except as provided under subsection (b),
every municipality shall provide to a community the same
municipal services it provides to noncommunity dwellings.
(b) Negotiated municipal services.--At the request of a
community, the municipality in which the community is located
shall negotiate the provision of municipal services. The
negotiations shall result in a written agreement which:
(1) describes the specific municipal services to be
provided;
(2) provides for the municipality to either supply the
municipal services or to reimburse the community for the
actual costs incurred by the community for the municipal
services; and
(3) describes the timing and procedures to be followed
for the reimbursement from the municipality to the community
as provided under section 6304 (relating to reimbursement for
municipal services).
(c) Compulsory arbitration.--In the event a community and
municipality are unable to reach a negotiated written agreement
for the provision of municipal services, the community and
municipality shall enter into compulsory arbitration as provided
under section 6305 (relating to arbitration).
§ 6304. Reimbursement for municipal services.
(a) Reimbursement.--Any amount received by a community from
a municipality shall be