Two bills supporting local preservation efforts were recently approved in the PA House and are now pending in the Senate.  The Historic Home & Neighborhood Preservation bill (HB948) and Historic Homesite Local Regulation & Tax Assessment bill (HB949) are intended to promote rehabilitation and preservation of historic homes and neighborhoods  through a system of tax incentives.  The goals of the bills are to expand homeownership opportunities; encourage owner occupancy of residential properties in older neighborhoods; stimulate the revival of declining, older communities; and enlarge and stabilize the tax base of cities and small towns.  Presently, there is no state program of financial incentives for the preservation of privately owned historic buildings, either commercial or residential.  HB948 would provide a 20% state income tax credit for historic homesite rehabs, an exemption from sales tax on rehab-related purchases and exemption from transfer fees for designated properties that will be used as the owner's primary residence for at least five years, or that has served as the primary residence for the past five years.  HB949 offers municipalities the option of waiving permitting fees for construction, or zoning variances, or exception for rehab work and/or the option to delay reassessment for up to two years after completion of the rehabilitation.   Please contact your senator and ask for their support of these bills.  For more information on the status of these bills, contact Preservation Pennsylvania at 717-234-