Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB309

Introduced
2/26/25  

Caption

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

Impact

The legislation aims to standardize the process for how municipalities can execute enforcement of building codes, which could lead to improved compliance and safety in construction practices. By allowing municipalities to employ third-party agencies, the bill is intended to alleviate resource constraints that some smaller municipalities face, thereby enhancing their ability to uphold construction safety standards effectively. The structure also encourages intermunicipal cooperation through shared enforcement responsibilities, potentially leading to more consistent standards across different municipalities.

Summary

Senate Bill 309 (SB309) proposes amendments to the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, focusing on the administration and enforcement of building regulations by municipalities. The bill allows municipalities to designate a municipal code official for enforcement, or to retain third-party agencies for inspection and review services. The reliance on third-party agencies is set to increase from one to at least two by January 2026, thereby creating more options for municipalities to manage code compliance efficiently. Additionally, it mandates municipalities to maintain a record of complaints regarding third-party services, enhancing accountability within the enforcement process.

Sentiment

General sentiment around SB309 appears cautiously optimistic, with supporters highlighting the bill's potential to streamline code enforcement and enhance public safety through better resource allocation. However, there are concerns regarding the efficacy of third-party agencies, particularly in rural areas where qualified agencies may be scarce. As municipalities shift towards relying on these agencies, stakeholders are worried about maintaining consistent quality and accountability in enforcement practices.

Contention

Opponents of SB309 may point to potential challenges, such as the risk of inadequate oversight of third-party agencies, given that municipalities might lack the necessary personnel or expertise to evaluate these agencies effectively. The bill's requirement for annual certification forms to validate the engagement of third-party agencies has raised questions about the robustness of such measures in preventing issues like incompetence or biased services. Critics fear that reliance on external agencies could lead to uneven enforcement of building standards, undermining safety and local control over development.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB388

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

PA SB406

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 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.

PA SB851

In rules of the road in general, further providing for enforcement of failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights; imposing a penalty; and making an editorial change.

Similar Bills

KY HB422

AN ACT relating to administrative regulations.

KY HB6

AN ACT relating to administrative regulations and declaring an emergency.

KY SB23

AN ACT relating to administrative regulations and declaring an emergency.

KY SB20

AN ACT relating to administrative regulations and declaring an emergency.

KY HB81

AN ACT relating to governmental accountability and declaring an emergency.

KY SB65

AN ACT relating to deficient administrative regulations and declaring an emergency.

KY HB594

AN ACT relating to administrative regulations and declaring an emergency.

KY HB40

AN ACT relating to administrative regulations and declaring an emergency.