Finance Committee Reports Three Bills

The Senate Finance Committee approved three bills on Monday (October 15) and sent them on to the full Senate for consideration, according to Committee Chairman Senator Pat Browne.

Senate Bill 777, sponsored by Senator Browne, would amend current state laws to help school districts, cities, townships and boroughs more efficiently collect delinquent real estate taxes and municipal fees. The bill also refines and improves the process by which municipalities hire third party collection firms, improves the public information requirements set by statute, and clarifies ambiguities in the current law.

"Senate Bill 777 expedites the process by which governing bodies can collect delinquent taxes and fees," Senator Browne said. "This will help their revenue collection, which in turn provides some relief and eases the tax burden on those who pay their share in a timely manner. Those taxpayers should not be tasked with carrying an additional burden imposed by those who are late in paying their fees and taxes."

Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senator John Wozniak, would extend the authorization of Keystone Opportunity Zone and Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone programs from 2010 to 2028.

Companies setting up operations in a KOEZ or KOZ receive various forms of regulatory relief as well as tax abatements, credits, deductions and exemptions. These areas may also receive other benefits including lower interest rates and priority consideration for state assistance under state and community economic development and community building initiatives.

"The KOZ and KOEZ programs have proven to be excellent incentives for economic development in our local municipalities," Senator Browne said. "They have attracted thousands of new job opportunities to Pennsylvania."

House Bill 169, sponsored by Representative Timothy Solobay, amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to expand the definition of daily drawing and increases prize limits for small games of chance conducted by charitable organizations.

"House Bill 169 is very similar to Senate Bill 845, which I introduced and was reported out of the Finance Committee earlier this year. Many charitable and non-profit organizations, such as volunteer fire companies and community groups, use small games of chance as fund raising tools," said Senator Browne. "We have not increased the maximum payouts in some time and we have not permitted progressive games. The changes are intended to help groups raise funds that support the organization's mission and are used for the benefit of the community."

Contact:

Stacey Connors

(717) 787-1349
Committee Executive Director