Legislation that would strengthen existing law requiring state agencies to be located in a downtown was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Sen. David G. Argall's Senate Bill 276 reinforces Act 32, the original Downtown Location Law which he sponsored in 2000.Argall's legislation would require increased coordination between the Department of Community and Economic Development and organizations committed to job growth, downtown revitalization and historic preservation."This is another step forward for our downtown communities to ensure that an already proven economic development tool is strengthened by building stronger alliances with our downtown advocates and organizations," said Argall. "This bill will give a stronger voice to local downtown economic development groups throughout the state. I am pleased to see the General Assembly pass this important pro-jobs bill."Since Argall's Downtown Location Law went into effect over 11 years ago, annually over 90 percent of all state government leases have been designated in downtown areas.Senate Bill 276 heads to Gov. Corbett's desk for his signature.