Pennsylvania Legislation

The Pennsylvania Legislative Action Committee (LAC) has reviewed and taken the following positions on Bills currently pending. Click here for our 2012 Community Associations Day at the Capitol White Paper.

CAI supports this Bill. House Bill 551 would allow a unit owner in a common interest ownership community (planned community) to deduct 75% of his or her association assessments (or dues) from his or her personal income tax.  The purpose of this legislation is to address the problem of residents of associations paying taxes for municipal services that are often not provided to them. Introduced in the PA House by Representative Mario Scavello (R-Monroe County) on January 25, 2011.

Read the text of the Bill   //   Bill History   //    View Roll Call Votes

CAI's PA LAC objects to certain provisions and supports amendments to these Bills.  House Bill 319 was introduced by Representative Bernie O'Neil (R-Bucks County) on January 23, 2013. Senate Bill 557 was introduced by Senator John Rafferty (R-Montgomery/Chester County) on February 22, 2013. These Bills addresses open meetings and open records in common interest ownership communities.  CAI strongly agrees that the sharing of information and access to documentation are essential components of proper functioning of community association governance.  However, there are laws and rules already in place that ensure openness and that unit owners have access to the records and documents of their community association. 

There are two fundamental, and erroneous, assumptions which appear to be the underpinnings of this legislation: that associations are all the same and that associations are similar to municipalities. A thorough review of associations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania would reveal that neither assumption is accurate and the adoption of this legislation, in its current form, will likely have several unintended consequences that will adversely impact the ability of associations to function properly. Issues including the availability of meeting space, availability of minutes within a defined period of time, use of recording devices and enforcement provisions will have a chilling effect that will discourage volunteers from serving on boards of community associations. For these and other reasons, CAI seeks amendments to these Bills.

House Bill 319:

Read the text of the Bill   //   Bill History   //   Co-Sponsor Memo   //   View Roll Call Votes