The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Pennsylvania Bill HB 977 Allows Audio and Video Recording Devices for Zoning Hearings
Last action · May 7, 2025: Laid on the table, May 7, 2025Sponsors: Andrew Kuzma and 11 others
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What This Bill Proposed
An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in zoning hearing board and other administrative proceedings, further providing for hearings.
The change alters how municipal zoning proceedings are documented and potentially reduces the transcription cost burdens shared equally between applicants and zoning boards.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Zoning hearing boards
Zoning hearing boards are permitted to use alternative recording devices instead of being restricted solely to stenographic records.
Applicants appearing before zoning boards
Applicants continue to share the baseline recording or stenographer costs equally with the board.
Key Facts
- Adds a definition for 'Recording Device' to include photographic, video, or audio equipment capable of capturing images, audio, or video.
- Permits zoning hearing boards or hearing officers to use a recording from a recording device instead of solely a stenographic record, provided it is of sufficient quality for accurate transcription.
- Maintains the requirement that appearance fees for stenographers or the cost of producing a recording are shared equally by the applicant and the board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What methods can zoning boards use to record hearings under this bill?
Who pays for the cost of producing a recording of the hearing?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Tabled in the House.
Procedural history
4 actions- May 7, 2025HouseLaid on the table, May 7, 2025
- May 7, 2025HouseIntroducedFirst consideration, May 7, 2025
- May 7, 2025HouseReported as amended, May 7, 2025
- Mar 19, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to LOCAL GOVERNMENT, March 19, 2025
Version history & redline
2 versions on fileLobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 7 more sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.palegis.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 35)
- Controversy5Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment2Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
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