SB 1281 — An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in planned residential development, providing for expedited high density housing approval.
Last action — Referred to Housing & Community Development
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced April 14, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.
Odds of enactment
Moderate chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate 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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Passed Senate
Current position in the legislative process.
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7 sponsors
1 primary, 6 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (7 R).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 4 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.
In plain language
The bill allows faster approval for high-density housing developments in Pennsylvania.
This legislation amends the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to expedite the approval process for planned residential developments with high density. It aims to facilitate quicker construction of housing to address housing needs.
What this means for you
- Workers: An increase in housing could provide more living options for workers in urban areas.
- Families: This bill may lead to more housing options becoming available in quicker timeframes.
- Small Business: Developers may experience a more efficient approval process, potentially increasing investment in residential projects.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
80 added · 73 removedPlain-language change summary
The revised version of Bill SB 1281 includes changes that clarify the conditions under which certain types of residential development can be approved. Specifically, it ensures that any new developments still comply with existing comprehensive plans and land use regulations. This matters because it balances the need for additional housing with respect for community planning goals, helping to prevent potential conflicts between new projects and established zoning rules.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
1589 THEPRINTER'S GENERALNO. ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of 2026 No.
INTRODUCED1760 BYTHE ROTHMAN,GENERAL PICOZZI,ASSEMBLY STEFANO,OF LAUGHLIN,PENNSYLVANIA PHILLIPS-SENATE HILL,BILL DUSHSession ANDof VOGEL, APRIL 14, 2026 REFERREDNo. TO URBAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING, APRIL 14, 2026 AN ACT Amending the act of July 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;
INTRODUCED BY ROTHMAN, PICOZZI, STEFANO, LAUGHLIN, PHILLIPS- HILL, DUSH AND VOGEL, APRIL 14, 2026 AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, JUNE 2, 2026 AN ACT Amending the act of July 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;
Expedited High Density Housing Approval.--(a) No later than one year after the effective date of this subsection, the board shall adopt rules requiring the governing body of a municipality to issue a land use decision, notwithstanding any comprehensive plan or land use regulations <-- or Statewide land use planning goals,goals IN COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING <-- COMPREHENSIVE PLANS OR MUNICIPAL LAND USE REGULATIONS OR STATEWIDE LAND USE PLANNING GOALS, approving the development of specified residential development types on certain lots or parcels under specified conditions under this section.
(d) The board may specify for the approved residential 20260SB1281PN1760 - 2 - development types allowed under this section:
(1) Processes that the municipalities may apply to the 20260SB1281PN1589 - 2 - development, except for public facilities or traffic impact analysis processes, which the municipality may establish and implement.
Plans and specifications submitted under this 20260SB1281PN1760 - 3 - paragraph shall remain proprietary unless the submitter requests otherwise.
20260SB1281PN1589 - 3 - (g) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
SectionSECTION 2.
NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO <-- AUTHORIZE APPROVAL OF A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TYPE UNDER THE ADDITION OF SECTION 707.1 OF THE ACT UNLESS THE DEVELOPMENT COMPLIES WITH THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE OR LAND USE REGULATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY.
Section 2 3.
20260SB1281PN1589<-- 20260SB1281PN1760 - 4 -
Action History
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Referred to Housing & Community Development
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Third consideration and final passage
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Amended on third consideration
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Re-reported as committed
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Re-referred to Appropriations
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Second consideration
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First consideration
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Reported as committed
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Referred to Urban Affairs & Housing
Sponsors
- Greg Rothman · Primary
- Joe Picozzi · Cosponsor
- Patrick J. Stefano · Cosponsor
- Daniel Laughlin · Cosponsor
- Kristin Phillips-Hill · Cosponsor
- Cris Dush · Cosponsor
- Elder A. Vogel · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 246 not signed on · 2 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Greg Rothman Republican
Co-sponsors (6)
- Joe Picozzi Republican
- Patrick J. Stefano Republican
- Daniel Laughlin Republican
- Kristin Phillips-Hill Republican
- Cris Dush Republican
- Elder A. Vogel Republican
Not signed on (246)
246 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 246 →"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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (50)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda M. Cappelletti | Democratic | Yea |
| Anthony H. Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Art Haywood | Democratic | Yea |
| Carolyn T. Comitta | Democratic | Yea |
| Christine M. Tartaglione | Democratic | Yea |
| James Andrew Malone | Democratic | Yea |
| Jay Costa | Democratic | Yea |
| John I. Kane | Democratic | Yea |
| Judith L. Schwank | Democratic | Yea |
| Katie J. Muth | Democratic | Yea |
| Lindsey M. Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Lisa M. Boscola | Democratic | Yea |
| Maria Collett | Democratic | Yea |
| Marty Flynn | Democratic | Yea |
| Nick Miller | Democratic | Yea |
| Nick Pisciottano | Democratic | Yea |
| Nikil Saval | Democratic | Yea |
| Patty Kim | Democratic | Yea |
| Sharif Street | Democratic | Yea |
| Steven J. Santarsiero | Democratic | Yea |
| Timothy P. Kearney | Democratic | Yea |
| Vincent J. Hughes | Democratic | Yea |
| Wayne D. Fontana | Democratic | Yea |
| Camera Bartolotta | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Gebhard | Republican | Yea |
| Cris Dush | Republican | Yea |
| Daniel Laughlin | Republican | Yea |
| David G. Argall | Republican | Yea |
| Dawn W. Keefer | Republican | Yea |
| Devlin J. Robinson | Republican | Yea |
| Doug Mastriano | Republican | Yea |
| Elder A. Vogel | Republican | Yea |
| Frank A. Farry | Republican | Yea |
| Gene Yaw | Republican | Yea |
| Greg Rothman | Republican | Yea |
| Jarrett Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Picozzi | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Pittman | Republican | Yea |
| Judy Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kristin Phillips-Hill | Republican | Yea |
| Lisa Baker | Republican | Yea |
| Lynda Schlegel Culver | Republican | Yea |
| Michele Brooks | Republican | Yea |
| Patrick J. Stefano | Republican | Yea |
| Rosemary M. Brown | Republican | Yea |
| Scott E. Hutchinson | Republican | Yea |
| Scott Martin | Republican | Yea |
| Tracy Pennycuick | Republican | Yea |
| Wayne Langerholc | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (50)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda M. Cappelletti | Democratic | Yea |
| Anthony H. Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Art Haywood | Democratic | Yea |
| Carolyn T. Comitta | Democratic | Yea |
| Christine M. Tartaglione | Democratic | Yea |
| James Andrew Malone | Democratic | Yea |
| Jay Costa | Democratic | Yea |
| John I. Kane | Democratic | Yea |
| Judith L. Schwank | Democratic | Yea |
| Katie J. Muth | Democratic | Yea |
| Lindsey M. Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Lisa M. Boscola | Democratic | Yea |
| Maria Collett | Democratic | Yea |
| Marty Flynn | Democratic | Yea |
| Nick Miller | Democratic | Yea |
| Nick Pisciottano | Democratic | Yea |
| Nikil Saval | Democratic | Yea |
| Patty Kim | Democratic | Yea |
| Sharif Street | Democratic | Yea |
| Steven J. Santarsiero | Democratic | Yea |
| Timothy P. Kearney | Democratic | Yea |
| Vincent J. Hughes | Democratic | Yea |
| Wayne D. Fontana | Democratic | Yea |
| Camera Bartolotta | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Gebhard | Republican | Yea |
| Cris Dush | Republican | Yea |
| Daniel Laughlin | Republican | Yea |
| David G. Argall | Republican | Yea |
| Dawn W. Keefer | Republican | Yea |
| Devlin J. Robinson | Republican | Yea |
| Doug Mastriano | Republican | Yea |
| Elder A. Vogel | Republican | Yea |
| Frank A. Farry | Republican | Yea |
| Gene Yaw | Republican | Yea |
| Greg Rothman | Republican | Yea |
| Jarrett Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Picozzi | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Pittman | Republican | Yea |
| Judy Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kristin Phillips-Hill | Republican | Yea |
| Lisa Baker | Republican | Yea |
| Lynda Schlegel Culver | Republican | Yea |
| Michele Brooks | Republican | Yea |
| Patrick J. Stefano | Republican | Yea |
| Rosemary M. Brown | Republican | Yea |
| Scott E. Hutchinson | Republican | Yea |
| Scott Martin | Republican | Yea |
| Tracy Pennycuick | Republican | Yea |
| Wayne Langerholc | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 95% | 5% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (22)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda M. Cappelletti | Democratic | Yea |
| Art Haywood | Democratic | Yea |
| Jay Costa | Democratic | Yea |
| Judith L. Schwank | Democratic | Yea |
| Patty Kim | Democratic | Yea |
| Sharif Street | Democratic | Yea |
| Timothy P. Kearney | Democratic | Yea |
| Vincent J. Hughes | Democratic | Yea |
| Cris Dush | Republican | Yea |
| Daniel Laughlin | Republican | Yea |
| Devlin J. Robinson | Republican | Yea |
| Elder A. Vogel | Republican | Yea |
| Jarrett Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Picozzi | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Pittman | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kristin Phillips-Hill | Republican | Yea |
| Lynda Schlegel Culver | Republican | Yea |
| Rosemary M. Brown | Republican | Yea |
| Scott Martin | Republican | Yea |
| Tracy Pennycuick | Republican | Yea |
| Wayne Langerholc | Republican | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 91% | 9% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (11)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Miller | Democratic | Nay |
| Nikil Saval | Democratic | Yea |
| Sharif Street | Democratic | Yea |
| Wayne D. Fontana | Democratic | Yea |
| David G. Argall | Republican | Yea |
| Dawn W. Keefer | Republican | Yea |
| Elder A. Vogel | Republican | Yea |
| Frank A. Farry | Republican | Yea |
| Jarrett Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Picozzi | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 1281?
- SB 1281 is sponsored by Greg Rothman (Republican), Joe Picozzi (Republican), Patrick J. Stefano (Republican), Daniel Laughlin (Republican), Kristin Phillips-Hill (Republican), Cris Dush (Republican), and Elder A. Vogel (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 1281?
- This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced April 14, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
- Where can I track SB 1281?
- Track SB 1281 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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