PAR Applauds Senate Vote on HB 2412; Urges House to Pass Bill

Editor’s note: This Call-to-Action is no longer active. House Bill 2421 passed the House and Senate but was vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf on May 19, 2020.

The state Senate passed House Bill 2412 yesterday and the bill will move back to the House of Representatives today for a concurrence vote. The bill, introduced by Rep. Todd Polinchock (Bucks), would allow some level of in-person real estate services in all counties in Pennsylvania.

PAR has issued a Call-to-Action for Realtors® to contact their representative asking them to vote “yes” on concurrence to the bill.

“The battle isn’t over yet,” said Alex Charlton, PAR director of Public Policy and Political Affairs. “The legislation moves to the House for a concurrence vote today, so we’re asking members to contact their representatives as soon as possible. When the bill passes the House, it then would move to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk for his signature.

“We applaud the actions of the state Senate. By passing House Bill 2412, the Senate recognized that shelter is essential and real estate is life-sustaining,” said PAR President Bill Festa. “Throughout the commonwealth, the incredibly restrictive shutdown of real estate services has created difficulties and financial hardships for so many consumers. This legislation would allow real estate transactions to occur in every county of the state.”

PAR has been urging Gov. Wolf to follow the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Advisory Memorandum to designate real estate as a life-sustaining business. The association is not requesting a return to “business as usual.” Real estate professionals would be following guidelines developed using recommended guidance from the Centers for Disease Control to ensure the safety and protection of consumers as well as real estate professionals.

Pennsylvania is the only state to shut down all real estate activities, despite the ongoing need for housing,” Festa added. “It’s tragic that a majority of Pennsylvanians continue to be unnecessarily restricted from purchasing or selling a home.”

Respond to PAR’s Call-to-Action to urge the House to vote “yes” on HB 2412.