FYI by PLS » House Local Government

House Local Government Discusses Possible Updates to Borough Code

Kim — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:20:53 +0000

The House Local Government Committee this morning held a workshop to review and discuss HB 1702, which makes extensive revisions to the Borough Code. Representatives from the Local Government Commission were on hand to provide an overview of the bill and answer questions from the members. Members’ questions were broad, but particular attention was paid to provision relating to teleconferencing and eminent domain.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.

House Local Government Moves Court Ordered Reassessment Moratorium, Task Force Legislation

Jason — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:33:45 +0000

The House Local Government Committee met off the floor and moved a package of legislation relating to placing a moratorium on court ordered property reassessments and forming a task force to develop best practices for performing reassessments.

Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full scoop.

House Local Government Seeks to Increase Municipal Bid Limits

Kim — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:45:45 +0000

The House Local Government Committee this morning reported out 13 bills with amendments that will increase the bid limits for various municipal entities. It was noted the bills have broad support, however two organizations oppose the package.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.

House Local Government and Finance Committees Receive Report from LBFC on Property Valuations and Assessments

Eric — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:02:13 +0000

The House Local Government and Finance Committees met jointly to receive a presentation from the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee on Property Valuation and Assessments. The report was developed pursuant to HB 334 of 2009 which was drafted as a result of a PA Supreme Court case calling into the question the current system. The submitted report analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the current system in PA and compares it to other systems around the country. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

House Local Gov’t Moves Municipal Consolidation Bill Forward

Kim — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:16:06 +0000

The House Local Government Committee met this morning to consider SB 1429, which provides for voluntary municipal consolidation and merger as well as simultaneous consideration of homerule charter. There was much consternation among members with pushing the bill through so quickly due to the Senate’s limited schedule, but ultimately it was reported with only six negative votes.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

House Local Government Debates Eliminating Local Government

Jason — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:35:57 +0000

The House Local Government held a public hearing on HB 2431, regarding the elimination of certain local governmental entities. The prime sponsor of the bill, Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Berks) testified in support of the legislation, while the rest of the testifiers spoke in opposition to the legislation in varying degrees. Check the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon for the full story.

House Local Gov’t Discusses Municipal Mergers & Consolidations

Kim — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:05:29 +0000

The House Local Government Committee held an informational meeting this afternoon on SB 1537 and SB 1429, both of which address municipal mergers and consolidations. The committee heard from the State Planning Board, academia, local government representatives, and representatives from the business industry. All testifiers were in general agreement on SB 1429, but the local government associations particularly took issue with SB 1357.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox late this evening.

House Local Holds Reassessment Package for Another Week

Kim — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:59:21 +0000

The House Local Government Committee met this morning to consider four bills. SB 916 was reported as committed without discussion, but the remaining three bills, which provide for assessment appeals by school districts, were held over due to drafting errors in the amendments. The members discussed the bills and the proposed amendments, reiterating concerns raised at the public hearing on the bills and offering further suggestions for refining the amendments.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.

Committee Reports Commissioner Vacancy/Municipal Managers Bills

Jeff — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:23:01 +0000

The House Local Government Committee unanimously reported as amended HB 2345 amending the Second Class County Code and HB 2346 amending the County Code pertaining to the filling of vacancies in the office of county commissioner. The committee also voted unanimously to report as committed HB 2352, HB 2353, HB 2354, HB 2355 and HB 2356 amending various local government codes pertaining to employment agreements with municipal managers. Both packages of bills were proposed by the Local Government Commission and were supported by the various local government associations. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

House Local Government Conducts Hearing on Outdoor Advertising/Zoning

Jeff — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:33:07 +0000

The committee conducted a public hearing on the issue of outdoor advertising and zoning. Members heard testimony on HB 1237, a free standing act allowing municipalities to acquire highway corridor conservation easements and on HB 2085 amending the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code providing for the location of billboards in certain locations. The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and the Outdoor Advertising Association of PA were among those offering their views on the proposed legislation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.