Pennsylvania HB 977: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in zoning hearing board and other administrative proceedings, further providing for hearings.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1060 PRINTER'S NO. 1650
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 977
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KUZMA, VENKAT, MAJOR, COOPER, ARMANINI, HOGAN,
MIHALEK, KAIL, SCHEUREN, KULIK, GREEN AND ROWE,
MARCH 19, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MAY 7, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), entitled
"An act to empower cities of the second class A, and third
class, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships of the first
and second classes including those within a county of the
second class and counties of the second through eighth
classes, individually or jointly, to plan their development
and to govern the same by zoning, subdivision and land
development ordinances, planned residential development and
other ordinances, by official maps, by the reservation of
certain land for future public purpose and by the acquisition
of such land; to promote the conservation of energy through
the use of planning practices and to promote the effective
utilization of renewable energy sources; providing for the
establishment of planning commissions, planning departments,
planning committees and zoning hearing boards, authorizing
them to charge fees, make inspections and hold public
hearings; providing for mediation; providing for transferable
development rights; providing for appropriations, appeals to
courts and penalties for violations; and repealing acts and
parts of acts," IN GENERAL PROVISIONS, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR
DEFINITIONS; AND, in zoning hearing board and other
administrative proceedings, further providing for hearings.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 908(7) of the act of July 31, 1968
(P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, is amended to read:
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SECTION 1. SECTION 107(A) OF THE ACT OF JULY 31, 1968
(P.L.805, NO.247), KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPALITIES
PLANNING CODE, IS AMENDED BY ADDING A DEFINITION TO READ:
SECTION 107. DEFINITIONS.--(A) THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND
PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS ACT SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO
THEM IN THIS SUBSECTION UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES
OTHERWISE:
* * *
"RECORDING DEVICE," A PHOTOGRAPHIC OR VIDEO CAMERA, AUDIO OR
VIDEO RECORDER OR OTHER DEVICE NOW EXISTING OR LATER DEVELOPED
THAT MAY BE USED FOR RECORDING OR TRANSFERRING IMAGES, AUDIO,
VIDEO OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF.
* * *
SECTION 2. SECTION 908(7) OF THE ACT IS AMENDED TO READ:
Section 908. Hearings.--The board shall conduct hearings and
make decisions in accordance with the following requirements:
* * *
(7) The board or the hearing officer, as the case may
be, shall either keep a stenographic record of the
proceedings or an audio recording A RECORDING FROM A
RECORDING DEVICE of sufficient quality to ensure accurate
transcription if needed for appeal. The appearance fee for a
stenographer or the cost of producing an audio A recording
shall be shared equally by the applicant and the board. The
cost of the original transcript shall be paid by the board if
the transcript is ordered by the board or hearing officer or
shall be paid by the person appealing from the decision of
the board if such appeal is made, and in either event the
cost of additional copies shall be paid by the person
requesting such copy or copies. In other cases the party
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requesting the original transcript shall bear the cost
thereof.
* * *
Section 2 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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