Though Pennsylvania in general and Pittsburgh in particular have been largely bypassed by the national mortgage crunch, the state Senate hopes a package of bills aimed at regulating lenders more tightly will be ready for a vote this summer.

The six bills, which were approved unanimously by the Senate this week, have the backing of the state Department of Banking, which organized hearings last year to gather testimony on the necessity and feasibility of the new regulations.

The bills would reduce certain loan fees (including prepayment penalties), impose higher industry penalties, and keep a closer eye on individual mortgage originators. Proponents hope the new regulations will have the combined effect of cutting down on the number of people who take out loans beyond their means.

Banks were wary that Pennsylvania's lending requirements will be different than those in surrounding states, something that could cause confusion at best, or be a competitive disadvantage for Pennsylvania banks at worst. But this package doesn't include the provisions most worrisome for banks -- ones that created extra paperwork, or another that eliminated "stated income" mortgages, issued to people who have an unpredictable income stream because, say, they own a business and don't draw a salary.

State Sen. Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, prime sponsor of the bills, says it's imperative to be proactive, rather than reactive, in this instance

"While Pennsylvania has fared better than many states as a result of the collapse of the housing market, we have many, many families suffering as a result of predatory lending and other questionable mortgage practices in the past," he said.

The Senate bills move to the state House for consideration. Meanwhile, the House has its own slate of similar mortgage-reform bills that it's been working on, submitted by Rep. Peter Daley, D-Fayette.

According to the Senate Republican caucus:

• Senate Bill 483 would eliminate prepayment penalties for mortgages up to $200,000. The current cap is $50,000.

• Senate Bill 484 would allow the Department of Banking to publicize fines and penalties levied against certain lenders.

• Senate Bill 485 would increase certain penalties levied against real estate appraisers who overinflate a home's appraised value.

• Senate Bill 486 would require lenders to send copies of foreclosure notices to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, so that mortgage foreclosure rates can be monitored on a statewide basis.

• Senate Bills 487 and 488 would create a new licensing category for individual mortgage originators. Right now, only the banks are licensed, and punished when one of their agents is caught making bad loans, leaving the state helpless in punishing the agents themselves.