Legislation introduced by state Sen. David Argall, R-29, to provide more funding to demolish blighted buildings was approved with bipartisan support by the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee this week.

“While everyone can agree that we should tear down vacant, rat-infested and decaying buildings in our communities, finding the dollars necessary can be difficult,” Argall said Wednesday. “By continuing this support for county demolition funding programs, we’re breathing new life into neighborhoods across Pennsylvania.”

Senate Bill 345 would increase the maximum allowable fee counties can add to the recording of each deed and mortgage by $1 and tie the level to inflation. Every dollar stays in the county where it was collected and must be used to demolish blighted properties.

Argall introduced the legislation that created the program and guided it into law in 2016. Since Act 152 of 2016 was signed into law, 28 counties have chosen to create demolition funding programs, raising millions of dollars to tear down dilapidated buildings.

Both Schuylkill and Carbon counties have adopted the program. Argall noted that more than 52% of Pennsylvanians now live in a county that uses this mechanism to tear down blighted properties.

The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration.