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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas |
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Urban Affairs Committee approves bill to allow land banking
HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, Democratic chairman of the House Urban Affairs Committee, said the committee this week approved legislation (H.B. 1682), which would allow the establishment of land banks in Pennsylvania.
Land banks are public entities created to efficiently acquire, hold, manage and develop vacant, underutilized or tax-foreclosed properties.
"Land banks offer communities a new opportunity for economic growth," said Thomas, prime co-sponsor of the bill. "This bill has the potential to reduce blight in communities throughout the commonwealth."
Before voting on the legislation, the committee approved comprehensive amendments offered by Thomas that substantially revised the bill. The amendments included recommendations from national experts and local stakeholder organizations on the issue.
Under the changes suggested by Thomas, counties, cities and boroughs with a population of 10,000 or more would be able to establish a land bank. Thomas' amendment also maintains language in current foreclosure law which allows a nine-month redemption period for owner-occupied properties sold at sheriffs' sale in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties.
The bill as amended would stipulate the powers of land banks, including the ability to design develop, construct, rehabilitate, renovate, relocate and otherwise improve real property acquired by the land bank.
House Bill 1682 now moves to the full House for consideration.
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