Jan. 19, 2016
HARRISBURG—Legislation sponsored by Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) to provide homeowners additional dollars for relocation assistance and bring Pennsylvania’s Eminent Domain laws in line with federal law has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.
House Bill 1411, now Act 88 of 2015, guarantees Pennsylvania continues to receive federal highway funds, which could have stopped had the state not conformed with federal standards for reimbursing individuals whose properties are purchased by the state under Eminent Domain laws for necessary construction projects.
The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act makes federal funds available to states that are authorized by state law to pay relocation benefits and provide relocation services conforming to the federal standards and minimum payments.
“This new law was required; otherwise, Pennsylvania could have lost critical federal highway dollars,” Taylor said. “In 2013 and 2014, PennDOT awarded construction contracts with federal funds a total of $3 billion. The anticipated awards for 2015 alone are projected to be $1.5 billion. This money was at risk had we not approved this law.”
The new law in no way hinders PennDOT’s ability or mandate to pay property owners a fair and equitable price for their property if it is needed for a transportation right-of-way.
Under the new law, the maximum re-establishment expenses reimbursable for a displaced farm, nonprofit organization or small business is increased from $12,000 to $25,000. The maximum amount of the replacement housing supplement for homeowners is increased from $27,000 to $31,000. The maximum amount of the replacement housing supplement for tenants and others is increased from $6,300 to $7,200.
Representative John Taylor
177th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
RepTaylor.com /
Facebook.com/RepTaylor