Pennsylvania Act 1998-134 — HOUSING AUTHORITIES LAW - AMEND TAXES AND MUNICIPAL UTILITY BILLS

Act text

Session of 1998

No. 1998-134

SB 512

AN ACT

Amending the act of May 28, 1937 (P.L.955, No.265), entitled, as amended, "An act to promote public health, safety, morals, and welfare by declaring the necessity of creating public bodies, corporate and politic, to be known as housing authorities to engage in slum clearance, and to undertake projects, to provide dwelling accommodations for persons of low income; providing for the organization of such housing authorities; defining their powers and duties; providing for the exercise of such powers, including the acquisition of property by purchase, gift or eminent domain, the renting and selling of property, and including borrowing money, issuing bonds, and other obligations, and giving security therefor; prescribing the remedies of obligees of housing authorities; authorizing housing authorities to enter into agreements, including agreements with the United States, the Commonwealth, and political subdivisions and municipalities thereof; defining the application of zoning, sanitary, and building laws and regulations to projects built or maintained by such housing authorities; exempting the property and securities of such housing authorities from taxation; and imposing duties and conferring powers upon the State Planning Board, and certain other State officers and departments," providing for the payment of taxes and municipal utility bills.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The act of May 28, 1937 (P.L.955, No.265), known as the Housing Authorities Law, is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 11.1. Payment of Taxes and Municipal Utility Bills Owed.--(a) All persons contracting with the housing authority as a lessor shall be required to supply a tax certification notice which indicates payment of all municipal, county and school district taxes as well as proof of payment of all applicable municipal utility bills. Such certification shall be made upon initial application and annually thereafter. Failure to provide such certifications shall result in denial or termination of any contract with the housing authority.

(b) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Municipal Utility Bills." Bills for services provided by a utility which is wholly owned and operated by a municipality or municipal authority. The term shall include, but not be limited to, water, sewer and solid waste disposal utility bills.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 21st day of December, A. D. 1998.

THOMAS J. RIDGE