Dear Friends,
This week, I’ll continue my discussion of the bills Governor Shapiro recently signed into law, a number of which address a wide range of issues that affect Pennsylvanians in their daily lives, from the cost of housing to consumer protection and public safety.
Two of the new laws address costs that renters can face before they even move into a home. I co-sponsored House Bill 558, which limits rental application fees to amounts reasonably related to the actual administrative expenses incurred. Due to the housing shortage it’s hard to find rental properties in much of the commonwealth. For people starting out, or restarting, multiple applications can be exorbitantly priced. For some rental companies, they’re making significant profit on the application process. Some entities are fielding applications from dozens and dozens of potential renters, many range from $50-$100 per adult (so $100 to $200 for a couple), for one unit. While there are obvious administrative costs involved in reviewing applications and background checks, applications themselves shouldn’t be a source of significant income for property owners. For families, applications alone can eat away at savings intended to go to a security deposit. I am still hopeful we can, at least at a county level, create a more streamlined application process to help families put their money towards security deposits rather than junk fees. The bill was signed into law as Act 67 of 2026.
House Bill 344, which I also co-sponsored, improves transparency around parking fees for renters. These may sound like small changes, but when people are already stretching their budgets to afford housing, unnecessary fees can make a difficult situation even harder. If you rely on your car to get to work and move into a new home just to find out you need to pay another couple hundred dollars a month in parking, you may not be able to make ends meet. Ensuring people have notice of all the costs associated with living somewhere is practical for everyone involved and keeps people housed. It was signed into law as Act 64 of 2026.
I know housing affordability remains a concern for many people in our district and beyond. My office continues to hear from residents about the challenges facing people who live in manufactured-home communities, particularly when new owners impose predatory increases in lot rents. The House passed House Bill 1250, to help address these concerns, but it will need to be reintroduced in the next session. It remains an important priority, and I will continue working to advance protections for residents who own their homes but rent the land beneath them.
We also need to give people the information they need to make informed decisions about their homes and finances. House Bill 1704, which I also co-sponsored, strengthens flood-risk disclosure requirements in certain residential real estate transactions, helping prospective homebuyers understand a property’s potential risks before making one of the biggest investments of their lives.
Based on recommendations from the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force, the legislation would require sellers to disclose whether a property has experienced flood damage, is located in a FEMA-designated 100- or 500-year flood hazard area, requires or has carried flood insurance, has received government assistance for flood damage, or has been the subject of a flood insurance claim.
The bill, now Act 74 of 2026, also directs the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to establish and maintain a public website with information about flood zones, flood insurance options, and strategies to reduce flood risk. By improving access to this information, we can help Pennsylvanians better understand the risks associated with a property and make more informed decisions before buying a home.
Housing affordability necessitates a multifaceted approach. We need to look at the costs people face, the information available to them and the protections in place when they make major financial decisions. I am proud of the work we did this session but know there is more to do. I will continue working on practical solutions that help Pennsylvania families make ends meet and build stable futures.
Happy Veterans Day
I want to thank our Veterans, and their families, who have stood beside them and supported them throughout their years of service. Their sacrifices deserve our recognition not just this day, but every day. I am often reminded of the powerful words of Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a veteran, who knows firsthand the meaning of service:
“America is what it is today because of the blood our brothers and sisters shed in combat zones. Our children grow up with the rights they deserve because of the sweat that’s poured down our faces, everywhere from the dust of Fallujah to the jungles of Vietnam. Our sacrifices were the currency we paid to defend America’s freedoms. And even as I stand here on titanium legs, with my wheelchair by my side, I wouldn’t take back those sacrifices for a second. Because America is worth it. As flawed as she may be, she is worth it.”