First Class Township Code Codification

Building on the 2020 update to the First Class Township Code, we are now pursuing codification into the PA Consolidated Statutes.  Senate Bill 1036 and House Bill 1836, have been introduced by Senator Dawn Keefer and Representative Bob Freeman, respectively.  Senator Keefer and Representative Freeman are majority chairs of the Senate and House Local Government Committees.  They are also members of the bi-partisan Local Government Commission.

The bills are identical and proposeamendments to the Code that have come from first class townships and the Local Government Commission.   Following is a list of the proposed amendments:

Section 1771 – Vacancy by Death

Delays creation of a vacancy by death until the next meeting of the board of commissioners.

Section 5904 – Sidewalk Responsibility

Clarifies property owners’ responsibility to repair sidewalks on all sides of property, not just front.

Section 2103 – Optional Per-meeting Compensation for Commissioners

Prohibits compensation when a commissioner has an unexcused absence from a board meeting.  Excused absences shall be determined by the board and include, but not be limited to, emergency illness, family, or business travel.

Section 1003 – Annual Audit Report

Extends filing the annual audit financial report with DCED from April 1 to June 30. 

Section 1313 – Memorials

Authorizes memorials commemorating/honoring first responders.

Once enacted, the Code will be found in Title 73 of the Consolidated Statutes.  Consolidation is beneficial because one bill can be used to amend all of the local government codes that have been consolidated, rather than having separate bills for each code.

Senate Bill 1036 has received Second Consideration in the Senate.  House Bill 1836 is in the House Local Government Committee.