City Hall

• Councilman Anthony Phillips introduced a bill that would require out-of-town landlords to provide a designated local agent/property manager and contact information. It is responsive to non-resident property ownership that has “contributed to neighborhood deterioration, unsafe living conditions, and barriers to enforcement of property maintenance and housing laws.” The Government Affairs committee voted to not take a position while amendments continue to be made. Association staff is in communication with the councilman’s staff and is monitoring alongside the Pennsylvania Apartment Association.
• Councilwoman Lozada introduced a bill that would require the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) to submit an annual report to City Council each year detailing the revenue and disposition of funds prior to the fiscal year. The HTF was created in 2005 to support housing-related programs, and is funded through contributions from the city’s General Fund (developer payments, city transfers), document recording fees, and interest earnings. The Government Affairs Committee voted to support this bill because it increases transparency and oversight for the Housing Trust Fund.
• Council unanimously approved an amended $277 million Year 1 budget for the City of Philadelphia’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative. The first annual budget for the plan initially totaled nearly $195 million. Lawmakers then amended the legislation to include an additional $82.6 million in spending. The Government Affairs Committee is seeking to understand the City’s auditing process for these programs, which was also part of its passage in Council this spring.
• Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson’s bill to allow refunds on the realty transfer taxes to victims of deed fraud was introduced this spring, but brought to committee earlier this month and passed by council before the winter recess. GPAR’s Government Affairs Committee voted to support the legislation as it redirects the transfer taxes that were paid to the City to the victimized homeowner after a Court Order voids the improperly recorded deed.
• Other Noteworthy Legislation Introduced:
  • Restricting the hours that commercial establishments could operate in certain parts of the 5th councilmanic district
  • Providing tax relief to sole proprietorships doing business in the city
  • “Just Water” legislative package to make utility bills more affordable
  • Red tape removal for sidewalk cafes
  • Entering into contract with ancestry.com to digitize public records
  • The City of Philadelphia to create a private sector retirement fund for employees otherwise ineligible for an employer-based retirement plan
  • Creating an Office of the Youth Ombudsperson,

State

• Senate Bill 838 amends the Private Licensed Schools Act to exempt real estate and real estate appraiser education providers from being classified as “private licensed schools” under that Act. This fixes a technical/oversight issue so real estate education providers don’t suddenly face new licensing burdens under a statute intended primarily for vocational schools. This measure has passed out of the state House, Senate, and awaits the governor’s signature. PAR supports this legislation.
• Senate Bill 815 and House Bill 214 establish a Realty Transfer Tax Exclusion for First-Time Homebuyers. This amendment only exempts buyers from the state portion of the realty transfer tax, and does not apply to local transfer taxes imposed by municipalities. The Senate version of this legislation passed out of committee in June. PAR supports this legislation and will continue to monitor any amendments and hearings scheduled in either chamber.
• Home Sales Climb 4.5% in Latest Monthly Report: The Commonwealth experienced a 4.5% increase in sales in October compared to September, indicating continued consumer interest in owning a home. Sales were up 6.4% year-over-year.
• The state’s budget impasse finally came to a close. Pennsylvania lawmakers approved a roughly $50.1 billion state budget on November 12th, breaking through a prolonged 135-day stalemate. The budget increases funding for public education, transportation infrastructure, and affordable housing programs. The plan allocates more than $1 billion for statewide property tax relief, increasing the average homeowner benefit compared to previous years, and introduces the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, a new state-level tax credit modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. As the midterms approach, PAR will continue to monitor legislation affecting the real estate industry and Realtors®.
• To find more information on everything relating to legislative priorities, please visit PAR’s website.

Federal

• NAR Urges Reconsideration of Fair Lending Rollback: NAR submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on a proposed regulation relating to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, a law that prohibits discrimination in the mortgage market, arguing that the proposed changes risked making credit less available to qualified homebuyers.
• A Year of Wins: How Your Advocacy Dues Fueled Big Victories in 2025. Shannon and Patrick do a deep-dive on the legislation, regulations, and rulings that impacted housing supply and affordability, property rights and fair housing, and REALTORS®’ ability to run their businesses.