Pennsylvania House Bill HB862

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/25
• Refer: 3/11/25

Caption

Authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to convey to Tioga County a tract of land, and to accept a tract of land from Tioga County, both tracts being located in Charleston Township, Tioga County.

Summary

HB862 authorizes a land exchange between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Tioga County in Charleston Township, Tioga County. Under the bill, the Department of General Services, with approval from the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, may convey a 0.431-acre parcel that is part of the Wellsboro Readiness Center grounds to Tioga County, and may accept in return a 0.431-acre parcel from Tioga County. The bill includes detailed legal descriptions of both parcels and states that the exchange is to be completed under terms set out in an agreement of sale. The measure also places conditions on the transaction. The conveyed land remains subject to existing easements, rights-of-way, and third-party interests, and the deed may include additional covenants or restrictions deemed in the Commonwealth’s best interests. A key restriction prohibits the conveyed property from being used as a licensed facility under Pennsylvania gaming law, or any similar facility authorized by state law; if that condition is violated, title automatically reverts to the Commonwealth. Tioga County must pay title insurance, recording fees, and other incidental costs, and the authority to complete the exchange expires after three years if not used.

Impact

HB862 would amend the Commonwealth’s authority over a specific state-owned parcel by allowing the Department of General Services to transfer and receive land as part of a local land swap. It affects state property administration, the Wellsboro Readiness Center site, and Tioga County land records, but does not broadly change general land-disposition law. The bill also creates a deed restriction barring gaming-related licensed facilities on the conveyed parcel and establishes a reversionary interest if that restriction is violated.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests strong support and little controversy: the House State Government Committee reported the bill as committed by a 26-0 vote. No committee transcript is available, but the unanimous committee vote indicates the land exchange was viewed favorably and likely as a routine property transaction rather than a contentious policy measure.

Contention

The main substantive point of potential concern is the use restriction on the conveyed land, which bars licensed gaming or similar facilities and makes the restriction run with the land. That condition appears designed to prevent future development inconsistent with state interests, and it could matter to Tioga County or future owners. Otherwise, the bill is narrowly focused on a parcel-for-parcel exchange, with no recorded opposition in the available materials.