Bill Ending Monopoly of UCC Inspection Process Advances, Says Heffley
HARRISBURG – A measure introduced by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) to amend the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act and ensure property owners have convenience and choice when working with Uniform Construction Code (UCC) inspectors passed out of the House Labor and Industry Committee by a bipartisan vote of 20-7 on Monday, June 13.
Under current Pennsylvania law, municipalities may opt to enforce the UCC themselves, either by using their own certified indigenous code enforcement program or by contracting with one or more state-certified private third-party agencies. This legislation would not affect that process; however, it would allow for the property owner, if they choose, to contract with the third-party inspector of their own choosing and pay an administrative fee of not more than 10 percent of the original permit fee to the municipality. This bill would add convenience and pricing options to the property owner.
“The need for this bill came to light at a hearing held by the Labor and Industry Committee earlier this session. Testifiers in Carbon County and across the state reported cases of abuse by third-party officials.
House Bill 782 would allow property owners to shop and hire the inspector of their choice. Currently, third-party inspection agencies hold a monopoly on the inspection process, which allows them to charge exorbitant rates and delay projects,” said Heffley.
House Bill 782 would have no effect on municipalities that have their own indigenous code enforcement program (such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh), or a joint agreement with another municipality on UCC enforcement. It would require competitive bidding for municipalities that choose to contract with private third-party code enforcement agencies and propose specific bidding requirements.
The bill now moves to the House for a vote.
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Dux
717.260.6695
mdux@pahousegop.com
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