Pennsylvania Bill 247 replaces registered mail requirements with certified mail in eminent domain proceedings

Original title: An Act amending Title 26 (Eminent Domain) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in procedure to condemn, further providing for notice to condemnee; and, in procedure for determining damages, further providing for appointment of viewers and for service of notice of view and hearing.

Last action · January 22, 2025: Referred to INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND OPERATIONS, Jan. 22, 2025Sponsors: SCIALABBA and 3 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Would Do

Pennsylvania House Bill 247 modernizes legal notification rules in eminent domain proceedings by replacing "registered mail" requirements with "certified mail, return receipt requested" across specific condemnation and damage-determination statutes. The measure applies to property owners, , mortgagees, and lienholders, taking effect in 60 days.

Why it matters

Property owners facing eminent domain actions and local agencies will use certified mail instead of registered mail for official notices of condemnation, viewer petitions, and hearings, altering the procedural steps and mailing documentation required for property takings.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Property owners

Property owners receive condemnation notices and hearing schedules via certified mail instead of registered mail.

Directly affected

Mortgagees and lienholders

Mortgagees and lienholders receive copies of petitions for appointment of viewers by certified mail.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What mailing method replaces registered mail under this bill?

Certified mail, return receipt requested, replaces registered mail for various eminent domain notices and petitions.

How many days' notice must viewers give for views and hearings?

must give not less than 30 days written notice.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action

Jan 22, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND OPERATIONS, Jan. 22, 2025

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →