Bill Text: PA HR350 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the impact of common interest ownership communities on local governments and the Commonwealth, the challenges facing the residents and governing bodies of these common interest ownership communities and opportunities for the Commonwealth to assist local governments and common interest ownership communities to deliver adequate services to their residents at an affordable cost.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-7)

Status: (Passed) 2009-07-02 - Adopted [HR350 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR350-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2100
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 350 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY SIPTROTH, SCAVELLO, BARRAR, BRADFORD, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, COHEN, DONATUCCI, HENNESSEY, MURT, O'NEILL, PEIFER, READSHAW, SANTONI, WATERS, WATSON AND YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 12, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON URBAN AFFAIRS, JUNE 12, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the impact of common interest ownership communities
on local governments and the Commonwealth, the challenges
facing the residents and governing bodies of these common
interest ownership communities and opportunities for the
Commonwealth to assist local governments and common interest
ownership communities to deliver adequate services to their
residents at an affordable cost.
WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania and Delaware Valley
Chapter of the Community Associations Institute, there are
approximately 15,000 common interest ownership communities,
which have a total of approximately three million property
owners in Pennsylvania, which represents an estimated 25% of the
population; and
WHEREAS, In many instances, common interest ownership
communities provide some of the same services that the
municipalities in which these communities are located provide to
individuals who do not live in common interest ownership
communities; and
WHEREAS, As a result, residents of common interest
communities often pay twice for the same services, once in the
form of assessments paid to their community association and
again in the form of municipal taxes; and
WHEREAS, Residents of common interest communities contribute
to State-funded programs that provide infrastructure
improvements with their State tax dollars, but residents'
community associations are often ineligible to apply for these
programs to address infrastructure needs; and
WHEREAS, The public benefits from various types of
infrastructure within the common interest communities,
including, but not limited to, storm water management
facilities, dams, on-lot septic systems and public roads; and
WHEREAS, Because many private wells and on-lot septic systems
within common interest communities were constructed before the
adoption of the Uniform Construction Code, the municipalities in
which they are located may not have inspected them. These wells
may be at the end of their operational lives or contaminating
the groundwater; and
WHEREAS, Rising foreclosure rates and the national economic
downturn have made it difficult for common interest ownership
communities to collect assessments from an increasing number of
residents, thereby making it more difficult to maintain the
commonly held property within these communities; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study of the impact of
common interest ownership communities as described under the
Real Estate Cooperative Act, the Uniform Condominium Act and the
Uniform Planned Community Act on local governments and the
Commonwealth, the challenges facing the residents and governing
bodies of common interest ownership communities and
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opportunities for the Commonwealth to assist local governments
and common interest ownership communities to deliver adequate
services to their residents at an affordable cost; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study,
at a minimum, all of the following:
(1) The number of common interest ownership communities
in each county.
(2) The number of common interest ownership communities
in each municipality.
(3) The approximate amount of State taxes paid each year
by residents of interest ownership communities.
(4) The approximate amount of local taxes paid each year
by residents of interest ownership communities to each
municipality.
(5) The amount and age of current infrastructure within
the common interest ownership communities.
(6) The impact of allowing common interest ownership
communities to access State funds for infrastructure
improvements.
(7) Whether there are opportunities for the Commonwealth
to assist local governments and common interest ownership
communities to deliver adequate services to their residents
at an affordable cost;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives
no later than one year after the adoption of this resolution.
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