PRINTER'S NO. 173
No. 180 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY CORMAN, JANUARY 21, 1997
REFERRED TO URBAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING, JANUARY 21, 1997
AN ACT
1 Requiring the Department of Community and Economic Development
2 to maintain data regarding research and development affecting
3 the housing industry in this Commonwealth; recognizing and
4 supporting the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center; and
5 making an appropriation.
6 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
7 hereby enacts as follows:
8 Section 1. Short title.
9 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Housing
10 Research Act.
11 Section 2. Legislative findings.
12 The legislature finds as follows:
13 (1) In July of 1988 the Housing Research Center was
14 established to provide training, research, technology
15 transfer, consulting and other services to this
16 Commonwealth's residential building industry and to ensure
17 the best technologically advanced and scientifically sound
18 building processes and a more knowledgeable and quality-
19 oriented home-building industry. To reflect the commitment of
1 the center to provide such services to this Commonwealth and
2 its residents, the name of the center was changed to the
3 Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC). The PHRC is
4 devoted exclusively to research aimed at improving the
5 quality of housing and the infrastructure needed to support
6 such housing. To date, this commitment has been strengthened
7 through partnerships with the home-building industry, the
8 Pennsylvania Electric Association, the Pennsylvania Energy
9 Office and the member firms of the Mid-Atlantic Building
10 Systems Council.
11 (2) Home building is a major economic force within this
12 Commonwealth, providing tens of thousands of jobs and
13 generating millions of dollars in tax revenues. To ensure
14 such economic contributions remain a strong and viable part
15 of this Commonwealth's economy and to ensure this
16 Commonwealth's residents of continuing employment
17 opportunities, the PHRC provides valuable services and advice
18 to State, national and international aspects of the housing
19 industry and is expanding into newly opening markets in
20 second and third world countries.
21 (3) The PHRC has gained national recognition for its
22 contributions to the education of young engineers, the
23 training of builders and the establishment and implementation
24 of outstanding research and development for housing consumers
25 and the home-building industry. It studies demographic
26 changes, technological developments, and economic and social
27 trends. The PHRC serves as the focal point of informational
28 exchange through conferences, training courses and research
29 publications.
30 (4) To continue to effectively provide for this
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1 Commonwealth's housing demands and the need for out-of-State
2 expansion of the housing industry, this Commonwealth needs
3 to:
4 (i) Support expansion of housing industry research
5 and development activities in this Commonwealth and
6 expansion of out-of-State and international export
7 opportunities to develop a competitive edge over other
8 states' expansion in those areas.
9 (ii) Develop and improve the product--a house, its
10 component parts and materials, and the employees who
11 provide these--to provide a more affordable, better
12 quality and technologically advanced product to
13 homebuyers and homeowners.
14 (iii) Improve housing industry productivity.
15 (5) The PHRC conducts research projects that have been
16 identified, developed and approved in concert with this
17 Commonwealth's building community of builders, private
18 companies and utilities.
19 Section 3. Definitions.
20 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
21 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
22 context clearly indicates otherwise:
23 "Department." The Department of Community and Economic
24 Development of the Commonwealth.
25 "PHRC." The Pennsylvania Housing Research Center, originally
26 the Housing Research Center, a center which gathers and
27 disseminates information, conducts research and development
28 projects, and makes other academically based contributions to
29 the housing industry of this Commonwealth.
30 Section 4. Recognition by department.
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1 The department shall recognize the essential role PHRC
2 occupies in the growth of this Commonwealth's economy. The
3 department shall, in cooperation with PHRC, use the fruits of
4 PHRC's efforts to further meet the goals of the department.
5 Section 5. Information sharing.
6 The department and PHRC shall share any information which is
7 acquired by either and which affects the housing industry's role
8 in the economic growth of this Commonwealth. The goal of
9 information sharing shall be to ensure that this Commonwealth
10 develops and maintains global leadership status in the housing
11 industry.
12 Section 6. Data.
13 A copy of any data relevant to the provisions of this act and
14 acquired by either the department or PHRC shall be maintained by
15 the department.
16 Section 7. Annual report.
17 The department shall report annually to the appropriate
18 committee in the Senate and in the House of Representatives
19 regarding both economic and technological advancements made
20 during the immediately preceeding year by this Commonwealth's
21 housing industry.
22 Section 8. Appropriation.
23 The sum of $250,000, or as much thereof as shall be
24 necessary, is hereby appropriated to the Department of Community
25 and Economic Development to support PHRC in its endeavors to
26 stimulate the economic growth of this Commonwealth through its
27 housing industry projects and programs.
28 Section 9. Effective date.
29 This act shall take effect in 60 days or July 1, 1997,
30 whichever occurs sooner.
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