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CHAIR
FINANCE COMMITTEE
 

Senate Finance Committee

Senator Patrick M. Browne
Chairman

Senate Bill 777, PN 874 (Senator Browne):  This legislation amends Title 53, The Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, to help School Districts, Cities, Townships and Boroughs more efficiently collect delinquent real estate taxes and municipal fees. The legislation will refine and improve the process by which municipalities hire third party collection firms, improve the public information requirements of the statute and clarify ambiguities in the present law.

Amendment A03516 (Browne):  

• Defines "delinquent", which permits municipalities to charge interest from the date of delinquency as opposed to the date the lien is filed.  Also, takes into account installment payments in the definition of “delinquent”, to take into account installment payments permitted by Special Session Act 1 of 2006.
• Includes garbage fee, recycling fee, landlord licensing fees and inspection fees as charges which may be recovered under the MCTLA.
• Removes the intent language for “unreasonable” attorneys fees from the MCTLA and maintains the language regarding the reasonableness of attorney’s fees charge in collection of delinquent taxes.
• Brings the MCTLA into compliance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure with regards to the service of original process.
• Establishes one county office that will be required to maintain an electronic list of all properties in the County with delinquent taxes and a list of who is collecting the delinquency.  If the Tax Claim Bureau is collecting the tax claim, it will provide a binding certification of the amount of taxes owed.  If the school district or local government has contracted with a third party payment firm to collect their tax claims, the collector will provide a binding payoff amount to anyone requesting the information.  This list will be updated within 45 days of payment.
• Certifications must be provided within the time frame required under the Right to Know Law.
• Clarifies a municipality’s ability to use third party collection firms to use the MCTLA to collect delinquent taxes.

House Bill 169, PN 2164 (Rep. Solobay):  Amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to expand the definition of daily drawing, defines monthly drawing and general operating expenses, increases prize limits for small games of chance, allows for progressive and insured games, allows eligible organizations to raise funds for general operating expenses, and provides additional rules and guidelines for the licensing of associations involved with small games of chance.

Amendment A03520  (Browne): Provides that all eligible organizations shall be eligible to receive no more than three special permits in any licensed year.  Currently, Section 5(D)(2) of the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act provides that eligible organizations shall be eligible to receive no more than two special permits in any licensed year except that volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue organizations shall be eligible to receive not more than three special permits in any licensed year.

Main District Office
801 Hamilton Street
Allentown 18101
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East Allen Township
5330 Nor-Bath Boulevard
Northampton 18067
610-502-1567
FAX: 610-502-1570
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