Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB388

Introduced
3/14/23  

Caption

In adoption and enforcement by municipalities, further providing for administration and enforcement.

Impact

The bill aims to enhance the efficiency of municipal code enforcement by allowing for the joint administration of codes between municipalities and third-party entities. This change is anticipated to streamline the administration process, potentially improving compliance rates and ensuring that construction projects conform to safety standards. As municipalities opt to use third-party agencies, the overall quality of service in code enforcement may vary, which could influence public safety and service consistency across different regions.

Summary

House Bill 388 is designed to amend the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, primarily focusing on how municipalities can administer and enforce construction codes. The bill clarifies the roles of municipal code officials and introduces provisions for using third-party agencies in the enforcement process. Under this legislation, municipalities must comply with specific criteria when retaining third-party agencies, including ensuring competitiveness in bids and maintaining a transparent complaint process for public reporting. The new regulations are set to become effective on January 1, 2024.

Sentiment

The reception of HB 388 has been largely positive among local government officials and business stakeholders, who argue that the bill simplifies the regulatory landscape and allows for more efficient processing of construction permits. However, there is also apprehension regarding the dependability of third-party agencies and the potential for inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations, which may lead to public concern over construction quality and safety compliance.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding HB 388 is the provision about mandatory utilization of two or more third-party agencies for code enforcement starting January 2024. Critics argue that this could lead to increased costs for municipalities, as they may have to budget for multiple contracts and engage in complex coordination efforts. Furthermore, there are fears that the reliance on third parties may dilute accountability and transparency in construction oversight, thus potentially compromising safety standards.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB406

In adoption and enforcement by municipalities, further providing for administration and enforcement.

PA SB309

In adoption and enforcement by municipalities, further providing for administration and enforcement.

PA HB46

In adoption and enforcement by municipalities, further providing for administration and enforcement.

PA HB2254

In adoption and enforcement by municipalities, further providing for administration and enforcement.

PA HB1284

In rules of the road in general, further providing for automated enforcement of failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights, for automated speed enforcement systems in active work zones and for pilot program for automated speed enforcement system on designated highway and providing for automated speed enforcement study and for pilot program for automated speed enforcement systems in designated school zones; and imposing a penalty.

PA HB2042

In revenues, providing for audits of Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Trust Fund; in administration and enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for records and confidentiality of information; in application and licensure, further providing for establishment licenses, for license or permit prohibition, for issuance and renewal and for conditional licenses; in operation, further providing for testing and certification of terminals and for video gaming limitations, providing for hours of operation and further providing for terminal placement agreements and for compulsive and problem gambling; in enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in revenues, further providing for distribution of local share, for regulatory assessments and for transfers from Video Gaming Fund; in ethics, further providing for political influence; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; providing for implementation; and making a repeal.

PA HB1147

In rules of the road in general, further providing for meeting or overtaking school bus and for enforcement of failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights.

PA SB1211

In administration and enforcement, further providing for list of persons self excluded from gaming activities and for prohibited acts and penalties.

PA SB266

In administration and enforcement, further providing for list of persons self excluded from gaming activities and for prohibited acts and penalties.

PA HB1993

Further providing for title of act; in preliminary provisions, further providing for short title, for scope of act and for definitions and providing for regulations; in pharmacy audits, further providing for limitations; in registration, further providing for PBM and auditing entity registration; providing for pharmacy benefits manager contracts; in PBM cost transparency requirements, providing for PBM transparency report required, repealing provisions relating to regulations and providing for PSAO reporting requirements; in enforcements, further providing for scope of enforcement authority; providing for pharmacy services; and making repeals.

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