HB 977 — An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in zoning hearing board and other administrative proceedings, further providing for hearings.
Last action — Laid on the table
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced March 19, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.
Odds of enactment
Low chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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In Committee
Current position in the legislative process.
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12 sponsors
1 primary, 11 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (9 R · 3 D) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
51 added · 35 removedPlain-language change summary
The latest amendment to Bill HB 977 introduces a new definition for "recording device" to include various forms of photography and audio recording in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Additionally, it simplifies the language around hearings conducted by zoning boards by focusing on the procedures without unnecessary legal jargon. These changes help clarify how hearings are documented and ensure that all parties involved have access to accurate records, making the process more transparent and efficient. This is important for residents who want to understand and engage in local government decisions.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
1060 THEPRINTER'S GENERALNO. ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of 2025 No.
INTRODUCED1650 BYTHE KUZMA,GENERAL VENKAT,ASSEMBLY MAJOR,OF COOPER,PENNSYLVANIA ARMANINI,HOUSE HOGAN,BILL MIHALEK,Session KAIL AND SCHEUREN, MARCH 19, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MARCH 19, 2025 AN ACT Amending the act of JulyNo. 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), entitled "An act to empower cities of the second class A, and third class, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships of the first and second classes including those within a county of the second class and counties of the second through eighth classes, individually or jointly, to plan their development and to govern the same by zoning, subdivision and land development ordinances, planned residential development and other ordinances, by official maps, by the reservation of certain land for future public purpose and by the acquisition of such land;
977 2025 INTMIHALEK, KAIL, SCHEUREN, KULIK, GREEN AND ROWE,NI, HOGAN, MARCH 19, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MAY 7, 2025 AN ACT Amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), entitled "An act to promoteempower cities of the conservationsecond class A, and third and second classes including those within a county of energythest second class and counties of the second through utilizationeighth classes, individually or jointly, to plan their development and to govern the same by zoning, subdivision and land development ordinances, planned residential development and other ordinances, by official maps, by the reservation of renewablecertain energyland sources;for future public purpose and by the acquisition of such land;
to promote the conservation of energy through the use of planning practices and to promote the effective utilization of renewable energy sources;
providing for appropriations, appeals to courtsparts andof penaltiesacts," forIN violations;GENERAL PROVISIONS, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR <-- DEFINITIONS;
andAND, repealing acts and parts of acts," in zoning hearing board and other administrative proceedings, further providing for hearings.
Section 908(7) of the act of July 31, 1968 <-- (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, is amended to read:
SECTION 1.
SECTION 107(A) OF THE ACT OF JULY 31, 1968 <-- (P.L.805, NO.247), KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE, IS AMENDED BY ADDING A DEFINITION TO READ:
SECTION 107.
DEFINITIONS.--(A) THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS ACT SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SUBSECTION UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE:
* * * "RECORDING DEVICE," A PHOTOGRAPHIC OR VIDEO CAMERA, AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDER OR OTHER DEVICE NOW EXISTING OR LATER DEVELOPED THAT MAY BE USED FOR RECORDING OR TRANSFERRING IMAGES, AUDIO, VIDEO OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF.
* * * SECTION 2.
SECTION 908(7) OF THE ACT IS AMENDED TO READ:
* * * (7) The board or the hearing officer, as the case may be, shall either keep a stenographic record of the proceedings or an audio recording A RECORDING FROM A <-- RECORDING DEVICE of sufficient quality to ensure accurate transcription if needed for appeal.
The appearance fee for a stenographer or the cost of producing an audio A recording <-- shall be shared equally by the applicant and the board.
In other cases the party 20250HB0977PN1650 - 2 - requesting the original transcript shall bear the cost thereof.
* * * Section 2.2 3.
20250HB0977PN1060<-- 20250HB0977PN1650 - 23 -
Action History
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Laid on the table
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First consideration
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Reported as amended
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Referred to Local Government
Sponsors
- Andrew Kuzma · Primary
- Arvind Venkat · Cosponsor
- Abby Major · Cosponsor
- Jill N. Cooper · Cosponsor
- Mike Armanini · Cosponsor
- Joe Hogan · Cosponsor
- Natalie Mihalek · Cosponsor
- Joshua D. Kail · Cosponsor
- Donna Scheuren · Cosponsor
- Anita Astorino Kulik · Cosponsor
- G. Roni Green · Cosponsor
- David H. Rowe · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 11 co-sponsors · 241 not signed on · 1 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Andrew Kuzma Republican
Co-sponsors (11)
- Arvind Venkat Democratic
- Abby Major Republican
- Jill N. Cooper Republican
- Mike Armanini Republican
- Joe Hogan Republican
- Natalie Mihalek Republican
- Joshua D. Kail Republican
- Donna Scheuren Republican
- Anita Astorino Kulik Democratic
- G. Roni Green Democratic
- David H. Rowe Republican
Not signed on (241)
241 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 241 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (26)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail Salisbury | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Munroe | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Kazeem | Democratic | Yea |
| Christina D. Sappey | Democratic | Yea |
| Dave Madsen | Democratic | Yea |
| Ismail Smith-Wade-El | Democratic | Yea |
| Jim Haddock | Democratic | Yea |
| Jim Prokopiak | Democratic | Yea |
| Justin C. Fleming | Democratic | Yea |
| Kyle Donahue | Democratic | Yea |
| Lisa A. Borowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Liz Hanbidge | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert Freeman | Democratic | Yea |
| Tarah Probst | Democratic | Yea |
| Alec J. Ryncavage | Republican | Yea |
| Andrew Kuzma | Republican | Yea |
| Brett R. Miller | Republican | Yea |
| Chad G. Reichard | Republican | Yea |
| Dane Watro | Republican | Yea |
| Eric J. Weaknecht | Republican | Yea |
| Jacob D. Banta | Republican | Yea |
| Jill N. Cooper | Republican | Yea |
| Parke Wentling | Republican | Yea |
| Roman Kozak | Republican | Yea |
| Tom Jones | Republican | Yea |
| Wendy Fink | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 96% | 4% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (26)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail Salisbury | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Munroe | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Kazeem | Democratic | Yea |
| Christina D. Sappey | Democratic | Yea |
| Dave Madsen | Democratic | Yea |
| Ismail Smith-Wade-El | Democratic | Yea |
| Jim Haddock | Democratic | Yea |
| Jim Prokopiak | Democratic | Yea |
| Justin C. Fleming | Democratic | Yea |
| Kyle Donahue | Democratic | Yea |
| Lisa A. Borowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Liz Hanbidge | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert Freeman | Democratic | Yea |
| Tarah Probst | Democratic | Yea |
| Alec J. Ryncavage | Republican | Yea |
| Andrew Kuzma | Republican | Yea |
| Brett R. Miller | Republican | Yea |
| Chad G. Reichard | Republican | Yea |
| Dane Watro | Republican | Yea |
| Eric J. Weaknecht | Republican | Yea |
| Jacob D. Banta | Republican | Yea |
| Jill N. Cooper | Republican | Yea |
| Parke Wentling | Republican | Yea |
| Roman Kozak | Republican | Yea |
| Tom Jones | Republican | Yea |
| Wendy Fink | Republican | Nay |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors HB 977?
- HB 977 is sponsored by Andrew Kuzma (Republican), Arvind Venkat (Democratic), Abby Major (Republican), Jill N. Cooper (Republican), Mike Armanini (Republican), Joe Hogan (Republican), Natalie Mihalek (Republican), Joshua D. Kail (Republican), Donna Scheuren (Republican), Anita Astorino Kulik (Democratic), G. Roni Green (Democratic), and David H. Rowe (Republican).
- What is the current status of HB 977?
- This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced March 19, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track HB 977?
- Track HB 977 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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