Local Government Commission

of the  

Pennsylvania General Assembly

Recently Enacted Commission Legislation

2021-2022 Legislative Session

Act 74 of 2021

HB 1591 | PN 2139
Amends the County Code to suspend changes in county classification until the after the 2030 census unless a county approves a change that would otherwise result from the 2020 census. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 18 of 2022

SB 478 | PN 503
Amends the act of October 27, 1979 (P.L.241, No.78), entitled "An act authorizing political subdivisions, municipality authorities and transportation authorities to enter into contracts for the purchase of goods and the sale of real and personal property where no bids are received," further providing for title of the act; adding a short title; and providing for contracts for services.

Act 19 of 2022

SB 479 | PN 504
Amends the act of July 10, 1987 (P.L.246, No.47), known as the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, in municipal financial distress, further providing for designation and for performance of coordinator; and, in receivership in municipalities, further providing for receiver.

Act 41 of 2022

SB 477 | PN 1783

Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to, among other things: (1) more precisely define changes to real property that could occur without authorizing the assessment office to adjust an assessment; (2) to increase the value of other improvements that may occur before the assessment office is required to be notified; and (3) establish the Municipal Boundary Change Act which, among other things, consolidates the existing legal process for contesting a municipal boundary within the municipal codes. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 154 of 2022

SB 807 | PN 989

Amends Title 57 (Notaries Public) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to: (1) eliminate the 50-cent fee for the registration of an official signature of a notary public; (2) authorize the “Notary Register” to be located in either the prothonotary’s office or the office of the recorder of deeds; and (3) authorize the electronic transfer of the official signature to the prothonotary’s office.


2019-2020 Legislative Session

Act 2 of 2020

SB 0690 | PN 829
Amends Act 34 of 1953 to increase from $1,500 to $6,000 the value of municipal real property below which an incorporated town need not publicly advertise for bids when selling its real property. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 3 of 2020

SB 0691 | PN 830
Amends the Second Class Township Code to increase from $1,500 to $6,000 the value of municipal real property below which a second class township need not publicly advertise for bids when selling its real property. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 4 of 2020

SB 0692 | PN 831
Amends the Borough Code and the Third Class City Code, in Titles 8 and 11 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, respectively, to increase from $1,500 to $6,000 the value of municipal real property below which a borough or third class city need not publicly advertise for bids when selling its real property. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 28 of 2020

HB 1036 | PN 3856
Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to: (1) amend the process by which a small borough, having a population of 3,000 residents or fewer, may seek to reduce the size of its borough council from seven members to either five members or three members; (2) permit landowners in a portion of a township of the first class or home rule township to petition the county court of common pleas to form a new borough, as specified; and (3) retroactively exempt from the state gross receipts tax the purchase or sale of electricity by a borough for use inside the borough limits, as provided. Item 1 of this act was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 87 of 2020

HB 1032 | PN 1204
Amends the Real Estate Appraisers Certification Act to: (1) add two Certified Pennsylvania Evaluators (CPE) to the membership of the State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; and (2) provide for the appointments and terms of service. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 88 of 2020

HB 1033 | PN 4539
Amends the Assessors Certification Act (Act 28) to: (1) clarify that revaluation company personnel who are directly responsible for the valuation of real property must not only complete the educational requirements pursuant to Act 28, but also be certified as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator (CPE); (2) extend the educational and CPE certification requirements to any individual employed by a revaluation company, or by a contractor of a county or a revaluation company, who is directly responsible for the development of a "property valuation model"; (3) add a component to the basic course of study requirement for CPE certification; (4) specifically prohibit any person from valuing real property for ad valorem tax purposes, including valuations for mass appraisals or developing property valuation models, unless certified as a CPE; (5) add new Section 6.1 to codify current practices in the assessment offices relating to duties, responsibilities and restrictions of employees who are not CPEs; (6) add clarifying amendments to Section 7 (disciplinary and corrective measures); and (7) add new Section 11.1 to make Act 28 applicable to counties of the first class, as specified. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 96 of 2020

HB 2073 | PN 3052
Modernizes and recodifies the First Class Township Code by removing obsolete provisions, incorporating language to reflect case law and current practices, standards and requirements, updating archaic language or language in conflict with other statutes, consolidating common subjects, and adding some language, as relevant, that had been part of previous significant recodifications. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 114 of 2020

HB 2536 | PN 4626
House Bill 2536, originally introduced by the Local Government Commission, authorizes a local government unit to obtain tax anticipation notes with a date of maturity at the conclusion of the local government's fiscal year that ends in 2022. The bill was amended in the Senate to include omnibus Fiscal Code provisions.


2017-2018 Legislative Session

Act 135 of 2018

SB 0771 | PN 969
Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) and Title 11 (Cities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, respectively, to: (1) provide for publication in a newspaper of general circulation concise annual financial information, approved by the auditor(s) and consistent with the audited financial statements, as specified; (2) require that the newspaper publication include a reference to a place within the municipality where full copies of the annual financial reporting information may be examined; and (3) stipulate that if the full required annual financial reporting information is not published, a copy shall be supplied to the publishing newspaper when the request for publication is submitted. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 136 of 2018

SB 0772 | PN 970
Amends the First Class Township Code in the same manner as Act 135 above. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 137 of 2018

SB 0773 | PN 971
Amends Act 253 of 1929 (relating to incorporated towns) in the same manner as Act 135 above. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 140 of 2018

SB 0801 | PN 1013
Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) and Title 11 (Cities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, respectively, to permit boroughs and third class cities to purchase used equipment, vehicles and other personal property from volunteer emergency service organizations without competitive bidding. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 141 of 2018

SB 0802 | PN 1013
Amends the First Class Township Code in the same manner as Act 140 above. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 142 of 2018

SB 0803 | PN 1014
Amends the Second Class Township Code in the same manner as Act 140 above. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 143 of 2018

SB 0804 | PN 1015
Amends the Act 34 of 1953 relating to incorporated towns in the same manner as Act 140 above. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 150 of 2018

SB 0947 | PN 1330
Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) and Title 11 (Cities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to increase from $1,000 to $2,000 the value of municipal personal property below which a borough or third class city need not publicly advertise for bids when selling its personal property. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 151 of 2018

SB 0948 | PN 1331
Amends the First Class Township Code in the same manner as Act 150 above. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 152 of 2018

SB 0949 | PN 1332
Amends Act 34 of 1953 (relating to incorporated towns) in the same manner as Act 150 above. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government.

Act 154 of 2018

SB 1005 | PN 2026
Comprehensively revises the County Code and consolidates the Second Class County Code with the County Code as it relates to counties of the second class A. The revision and integration of the two codes reflect case law and current practices, standards and requirements. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 155 of 2018

SB 1007 | PN 1396
Amends the Consolidated County Assessment Law in Title 53 (Municipalities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to: (1) provide for the training and qualifications of members of a board of assessment appeals/revision and auxiliary appeal boards, with exceptions; (2) direct that all exemption appeal hearings be conducted by the board of assessment appeals/revision; (3) change the method by which auxiliary appeal boards are established and staffed; (4) direct the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania in coordination with the Assessors' Association of Pennsylvania to establish a training curriculum and method of delivery; (5) relating to countywide reassessment, clarify the types of corrections that may be made during an informal review of a property owner's proposed market value or assessment, and specify the date by which informal reviews must be completed; (6) require the county to make publicly available specified taxing district information; and (7) require the assessment appeals board to provide notice of rights of further appeal to board decisions. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 53 of 2017

SB 0690 | PN 848
Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes relating to the Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law to provide a mechanism for the initial apportionment of any home rule charter or optional plan municipality without a mayor that will be dividing into wards either partially or totally or changing the number of members of the governing body, as provided. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 54 of 2017

SB 0691 | PN 849
Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to establish uniform residential qualifications of office for persons seeking election to, or appointment to fill a vacancy in, a municipal elected office where recent service in the military might interfere with the person's ability to satisfy the relevant residency requirements, as provided. This legislation was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.


2015-2016 Legislative Session

Act 155 of 2016

SB 898 | PN 1064
Amends the Second Class County Code to apply existing antiwindfall provisions, in the year following a countywide reassessment, to all real estate taxes, including special levies set by referendum, individually. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 156 of 2016

SB 899 | PN 1065
Amends Title 53, Chapter 88 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Consolidated County Assessment Law), in the same manner as Act 155 of 2016. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 51 of 2015

HB 904 | PN 1124
Amends the First Class Township Code to further provide for adoption and enforcement of property maintenance codes by: (1) consolidating existing powers to enact and administer construction, occupancy and property maintenance regulations from specific sections into a new Article XXXI-A (Uniform Construction Code, Property Maintenance Code and Reserved Powers); (2) specifying that first class townships are subject to the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, and all municipal regulation governing the construction, alteration, repair and occupancy of property in the township shall conform to the act; (3) establishing consolidated provisions relating to the enactment and enforcement of property maintenance codes; and (4) expressly reserving the power of townships to enact and enforce building codes and property maintenance codes in the event Act 45 no longer supersedes individual municipal codes. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 52 of 2015

HB 906 | PN 1103
Amends the First Class Township Code by repealing language in the Code that permits the removal of an elected official from office for the failure to perform duties, a procedure invalidated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and adding language referencing pertinent provisions of the Pennsylvania Constitution as the basis for removal. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 53 of 2015

HB 910 | PN 1105
Amends Act 35 of 1953 (pertaining to incorporated towns) in the same manner as Act 52 of 2015 relating to the removal of an elected official from office in towns. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 67 of 2015

SB 775 | PN 1124
Amends Title 11 (Cities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by consolidating the Third Class City Code, as amended by Act 22 of 2014, with certain limited substantive modifications and technical changes. This act was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 68 of 2015

SB 791 | PN 951
Amends the Second Class Township Code in the same manner as Act 52 and Act 53 of 2015, relating to the removal of an elected official from office in townships. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 69 of 2015

SB 793 | PN 1031
Amends the Second Class Township Code in the same manner as Act 51 of 2015, relating to the adoption and enforcement of property maintenance codes by townships. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 77 of 2015

HB 909 | PN 1126
Amends the Real Estate Tax Sale Law to authorize county tax claim bureaus to incur reasonably necessary costs for the rehabilitation and maintenance of property exposed to, but not sold at, an upset sale, and provides for the recovery of costs incurred relating thereto. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 85 of 2015

HB 907 | PN 2335
Amends the Real Estate Tax Sale Law to establish standardized requirements of a county tax claim bureau when posting property on which delinquent property taxes are due. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.


2013-2014 Legislative Session

Act 2 of 2014

HB 1529 | PN 2039
Amends the Second Class Township Code to permit townships to file copies of ordinances by electronic means with the county law library or other county office where ordinances are stored provided the county agrees to such submission and has the means to accept the ordinances electronically. Ordinances stored electronically must be accessible to the public during regular business hours at the office or at a remote location. This act was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 11 of 2014

SB 1081 | PN 1354
Amends the First Class Township Code by: (1) permitting townships to file copies of proposed ordinances by electronic means with the county law library or other county office where ordinances are stored provided that the county agrees to such submission and has the means to accept the ordinances; (2) requiring ordinances stored electronically to be accessible to the public during regular business hours at the office or at a remote location; and (3) specifying that failure to file a copy of the ordinance with the county, or record an ordinance in a township ordinance book, within the time established by statute, will not affect the validity of the ordinance. This act was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 22 of 2014

SB 497 | PN 1703
Reenacts, recodifies and modernizes The Third Class City Code by removing obsolete provisions, incorporating court decisions, updating language and consolidating common subjects. This act was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 37 of 2014

HB 1719 | PN 3275
Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) and amends Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, consolidating The Borough Code, as amended by Act 42 of 2012, with certain limited substantive modifications and technical changes. This act was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 114 of 2014

HB 1772 | PN 2525
Amends the Deputy Sheriffs' Education and Training Act, redesignated as the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Act, by expanding the act to apply to elected and appointed sheriffs. Generally, the act: (1) requires that sheriffs elected or appointed after the effective date of this act receive training equivalent to that of deputy sheriffs; (2) delineates training and education requirements of sheriffs; (3) provides for the certification, and revocation thereof, of sheriffs and deputy sheriffs; (4) renames the Deputy Sherriff's' Education and Training Board to the Sherriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Board, and charges the board with specified powers and duties; and (5) removes the provision in the act that permits the transfer of monies from the special restricted account in the State Treasury into the General Fund that are deemed in excess of that which is needed for purposes of the training program. This act was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 199 of 2014

HB 1773 | PN 4312
Extensively amends the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, commonly known as Act 47, by among other things: (1) adding elements to be considered by a coordinator when developing a recovery plan for a municipality declared distressed; (2) providing for an annual performance review of a coordinator by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED); (3) requiring a distressed municipality to begin its annual budget formulation process at least 120 days prior to the required date for the adoption of the budget and subjecting the proposed budget to review and modification by the coordinator to ensure compliance with the recovery plan; (4) codifying the Early Intervention Program; (5) adding a subchapter providing for a timeline relating to duration that a municipality may remain under the provisions of Act 47; (6) authorizing the levy of additional optional taxes and increases in rate of those taxes in lieu of other taxes that currently are authorized to be imposed; (7) further providing objective criteria to be evaluated by the Secretary of DCED when considering termination of distressed status and the right of appeal by delineated parties related to a decision on termination; (8) adding a chapter providing for procedures for disincorporation of nonviable municipalities; (9) extending provisions relating to a declaration of financial emergency by the Governor and receivership to all classes of municipalities; (10) adding provisions related to a distressed municipality transitioning from receivership; and (11) making technical changes. This act was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 110 of 2013

HB 1225 | PN 1832
Amends Title 45 (Legal Notices) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by permitting the Local Government Commission to electronically publish five municipal codes in lieu of or in addition to, printed copies. Electronic publications are to be maintained on the Commission's website and updated within 60 days of enactment of amendments to the codes. This bill was sponsored by the Local Government Commission.


2011-2012 Legislative Session

Act 43 of 2012

HB 1702 | PN 3331
Reenacts, recodifies, and modernizes "The Borough Code" by removing obsolete provisions, incorporating court decisions, updating language, and consolidating common subjects.

Act 53 of 2011

HB 1448 | PN 1738
Amends Act 566 of 1956, relating to authorizing the council of any incorporated town to create the office of town manager, by permitting the town council to enter into an employment agreement with the town manager for a term of up to two years. The agreement may provide for the terms and conditions of employment and a severance package for the manager, but it is neither a guarantee of employment through the term of the agreement, nor does it confer upon the township manager any legal remedy based upon specific performance.

Act 54 of 2011

HB 1449 | PN 1739
Amends “The Borough Code” in a manner similar to Act 53 of 2011.

Act 73 of 2011

SB 828 | PN 846
Amends “The First Class Township Code” in a manner similar to Act 53 of 2011.

Act 74 of 2011

SB 829 | PN 847
Amends “The Second Class Township Code” in a manner similar to Act 53 of 2011.

Act 75 of 2011

SB 830 | PN 848
Amends “The Third Class City Code” by adding an article creating and providing for the powers and duties of a city administrator or manager. It also adds provisions similar to Act 53 of 2011

Act 99 of 2011

HB 1459 | PN 1765
Amends "The Third Class City Code" (Code) by permitting the mayor or other elected or appointed officials in cities that have adopted an optional charter under the Optional Third Class City Charter Law, or an optional plan under Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Chapters 30 and 31, or any other law permitting the mayor or other officials to promote a candidate, to continue to promote police officers notwithstanding certain provisions of the Code that authorize city council to make an appointment from certified names on an eligibility list. This law is retroactive to promotions made on or after October 19, 2010.

Act 100 of 2011

HB 1460 | PN 1766
Amends "The First Class Township Code" by: (1) clarifying that background investigations of candidates for original appointments to a police or fire force may be restricted to those candidates on an eligibility list or those certified for hiring by the civil service commission, and (2) specifying that fitness and agility tests and medical and psychological examinations may, but need not, be required as part of a promotional examination. This law is retroactive to October 19, 2010, as it relates to promotional examinations.

Act 104 of 2011

HB 1461 | PN 2625
Amends "The Borough Code" by: (1) clarifying that background investigations of candidates for original appointments to a police or fire force may be restricted to those candidates on an eligibility list or those certified for hiring by the civil service commission; (2) specifying that fitness and agility tests and medical and psychological examinations may, but need not, be required as part of a promotional examination; and (3) grandfathering elected officials who are employed in boroughs, which in the last decennial census exceeded 3,000 in population, who would otherwise be prohibited from serving as either an elected official or an employee of the borough. This law is retroactive to October 27, 2010, as it relates to promotional examinations. Items 1 and 2 of this act were sponsored by the Local Government Commission.

Act 106 of 2011

SB 834 | PN 1669
Amends Title 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by adding a subchapter to be known as the "County Officer and Employee Fiscal Security Act." This act is intended to provide a means of protection in the event of a loss of money or other county property by county officers and employees due to a breach of fiduciary duty, or a failure to perform duties faithfully, or to account properly for all money and property received by virtue of the office of employment, or because of fraudulent or dishonest acts, including, but not limited to, embezzlement, theft, forgery, similar acts of dishonesty, or fraud. Among other things, the act would: (1) apply to counties of the second through eighth class, including home rule counties; (2) permit the county commissioners or legislative policy-making bodies in home rule counties to set the amount of security, and to select the form of security (bond, blanket bond, or crime fidelity insurance) that will be used to protect counties in the event of loss by a county official or employee acting in a fiduciary capacity with regard to county or Commonwealth funds or property; (3) place responsibility on the county governing body to annually determine the amount of required security; (4) provide for the purchase of additional coverage to afford adequate insurance, indemnifying against the loss of money and property through robbery, burglary, and larceny; and (5) repeal outdated bonding amounts specified in the County and Second Class County Codes.


2009-2010 Legislative Session

Act 27 of 2010

SB 0916 | PN 1102
Amends the "Second Class County Code" to extend, from May until July, the annual filing of the county controller's settlement of accounts with the Department of Community and Economic Development. Editorial changes are also provided.

Act 67 of 2010

HB 1671 | PN 2112
Amends Act 407 of 1963, an act creating a county records committee which consisted of 15 members appointed by the Governor, by increasing the membership of the committee to include the appointment of a county clerk of the orphans' court.

Act 75 of 2010

HB 1515 | PN 4283
Amends "The First Class Township Code," for the purposes of, generally, making the code comport with State and federal anti-discrimination laws, including the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act," and further providing for civil service promotion procedures.

Act 76 of 2010

HB 1516 | PN 4284
Amends Act 272 of 1933, an act providing for the appointment, promotion, reduction, removal, and reinstatement of paid fire officers and certain employes in third class cities, in a manner similar to and for the same purposes as Act 75, above, insofar as the act provides for firefighters and other civil service positions.

Act 77 of 2010

HB 1517 | PN 4285
Amends "The Third Class City Code" in a manner similar to and for the same purposes as Act 75, above, insofar as the code provides for police and other civil service positions.

Act 78 of 2010

HB 1518 | PN 4286
Amends Act 45 of 1941, an act which provides for civil service for police in incorporated towns (Bloomsburg), for the same purposes as Act 75, above, insofar as the act provides for police and other civil service positions.

Act 91 of 2010

SB 0910 | PN 2242
Amends "The Borough Code," for the purposes of, generally, making the code comport with State and federal anti-discrimination laws, including the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act," and further providing for civil service promotion procedures.

Act 92 of 2010

SB 0912 | PN 2243
Amends Act 427 of 1945, an act which provides for civil service for firefighters in incorporated towns (Bloomsburg), for the same purposes in Act 91, above, insofar as this act provides for firefighters and other civil service positions.

Act 93 of 2010

SB 0918 | PN 2205
Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Pa.C.S.) by adding a Chapter entitled "Consolidated County Assessment Law" for the purposes of consolidating several real property assessment statutes into a combined whole, removing outdated language, and codifying pertinent case law. The new assessment law, which originally constituted the text of the bill, was sponsored by the Local Government Commission. This act repeals Act 348 of 1931, referred to as the "Third Class County Assessment Board Law," "The Fourth to Eighth Class and Selective County Assessment Law," and portions of "The County Code." Furthermore, it repeals inconsistent acts as well as "The General County Assessment Law" as the Law applies to counties of the second class A through the eighth class. In addition, the act amends Title 53 of the Pa.C.S. by (1) providing for intergovernmental cooperation agreements for fire protection services and personnel between the City of Pittsburgh and qualified boroughs; and (2) adding a Chapter entitled "Municipal Pensions" and a Subchapter entitled "Cities of the Second Class," the latter of which requires that any proceeds generated in connection with the lease or sale of the City of Pittsburgh's Parking Authority garages will be deposited for the benefit of the City's municipal pension system.