The proposed legislation establishes the Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania, aimed at facilitating transformational economic development projects. The office will coordinate interagency cooperation to create substantial job opportunities and capital investment in the Commonwealth. It will also serve as a one-stop-shop for managing economic development projects, expedite permit and license reviews, and ensure thorough due diligence for prioritized projects. Additionally, the office will employ a Commonwealth Housing Ombudsman to address critical needs in the residential housing industry, coordinate policies, and adjudicate disputes among Commonwealth agencies.

The Commonwealth Housing Ombudsman will be responsible for overseeing activities related to residential construction permits, facilitating discussions between state and local governments and housing developers, and evaluating opportunities for land acquisition to support housing development. The Ombudsman will also track housing development projects, provide updates to leadership, and issue binding determinations on disputes that affect housing timelines. The act emphasizes the importance of collaboration among Commonwealth agencies and mandates the preparation of an annual report to assess economic development opportunities and recommend improvements. The act will take effect immediately upon passage.