[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6350826,"mediaKeyId","2231411-85200b82805a4e99f4f1f183891df245","parentId",2231411,"title","House Bill 162 would let third‑class cities levy one‑half‑mill emergency‑services tax","audioSeconds",452,"startMs",205000,"endMs",657000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2231411-85200b82805a4e99f4f1f183891df245&start=205&end=657","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2231411-85200b82805a4e99f4f1f183891df245/thumbnail_205000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6350826/Pennsylvania/House-Bill-162-would-let-thirdclass-cities-levy-onehalfmill-emergencyservices-tax","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350826-c300f92b8330c482000ef7366e7c6569/orig.mp4?Expires=1777560056&Signature=TiGumcOmeIDrkYelTLi4Tljz57oh0XmCAZrGmFXvDA0gOtRLbHxX87L5Ci0fdcwOZkG3f1cdc8PmMFH~WlJp4DAjNUZT5NYbDSnunQKjlq2-RrkZ3FYdLFOWCKLQXF7GcfzENY9SzS224M6tHPNaNgDgRbJ2F3yTDEAfA~mgnOTrCJu7yWTANqte6BZppIn~pmpbffWQQfH6QRuaFuMv1LKLJSnM0c6HY-JmGCnW0IwXqoIymLxKmH~NO48OGkeecEA0Vp1cJ8plTcCwZqrggCctKKJxBhGMYgdr0rZuU9FD5APsXT1BuUH~Oemh~b1AqGjOhMGlg0RrOjqyBWXHfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsylvania House of Representatives","date","2025-02-04T21:13:33Z","article","At a meeting of the House Local Government Committee, members advanced House Bill 162, sponsored by Representative Majors, which would amend Title 11 to authorize third‑class cities to levy an annual property tax not to exceed one‑half mill to support ambulance, rescue and other emergency services.

The bill’s sponsor told the committee that many municipalities and emergency‑medical services are facing funding shortfalls. \"There are thousands of municipalities and EMS entities across the Commonwealth facing a funding crisis to provide critical emergency services to millions of Commonwealth residents,\" Representative Majors said, urging support for the measure.

Under the bill, a city council could use up to one‑half of the revenue raised by the tax for salaries, benefits or other compensation for emergency‑service employees. Chairman Freeman offered Amendment A0040 to permit a city council, by resolution, to waive that limitation so that more than one‑half of the revenue could be used for compensation in any calendar year. Committee staff described the amendment as conforming the third‑class city code to language previously added to the borough code and first‑ and second‑class township codes.

The committee adopted Amendment A0040 by voice vote, with Representative Wendy Fink recorded as the lone negative vote on the amendment. The committee then advanced the bill by voice vote; Representative Fink was recorded as the only no vote on the final action.

The bill would take effect in 60 days if enacted. Committee members said the measure would give third‑class cities the same taxing authority currently available to boroughs and townships; the legislation itself would not impose the tax but would authorize local officials to do so if they chose.

Action details

- Motion to bring the bill forward: moved by Chairman Miller, seconded by Representative Probst.
- Amendment A0040 (Chairman Freeman): mover Representative Probst; seconder Representative Borowski; adopted (voice vote; Representative Wendy Fink recorded as opposed).
- Final committee action: bill advanced by voice vote; Representative Wendy Fink recorded as opposed.

What it would change

- Authorizes third‑class cities to levy an annual property tax up to one‑half mill dedicated to ambulance, rescue and other emergency services.
- Allows city councils, by resolution under Amendment A0040, to waive the limit on the portion of revenue that may be used for personnel compensation in a calendar year.
- Effective 60 days after enactment.

Next steps

The committee advanced the bill to the next stage of consideration. No floor schedule was announced during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Local Government Committee -- February 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a meeting of the House Local Government Committee, members advanced House Bill 162, sponsored by Representative Majors, which would amend Title 11 to authorize third‑class cities to levy an annual property tax not to exceed one‑half mill to support ambulance, rescue and other emergency services.","taxTitle","Local Government, House of Representatives, Legislative, Pennsylvania","taxId",29265,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350812,"House Bill 424 lets municipalities post redundant public‑notice ads online when newspapers fail to publish",203,1012000,1215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2231411-85200b82805a4e99f4f1f183891df245&start=1012&end=1215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2231411-85200b82805a4e99f4f1f183891df245/thumbnail_1012000.jpg","/articles/6350812/Pennsylvania/House-Bill-424-lets-municipalities-post-redundant-publicnotice-ads-online-when-newspapers-fail-to-publish","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350812-abfcf3747b1c78ef82f60496e0ad159a/orig.mp4?Expires=1777560056&Signature=ZI7~BkFIbcbYBEgmzNo1PNr2T9CDSaopQmv-Hu9uJdWV10NUjwMolauXxUsXEommswW6aFSAuln~HU9u3bCIKPNPQYFlx2BU2pWlqZd0Mi0gf7dLN8kNSp7MGa6TH7Sn-DEe-8V~UR4ji5JuK9vfMgR3hEG46vvO4SXKYLSB9qdDzV3D8T7bJguwwNkRg2p9i~p1DnolNn1zl6FzZ~3KtbFWKB4IIKvbOzklXgMqnZfps5XgN4q8lvbhDuoN8OH6mqeBjeFzkrjBQNIzPczk5uvnW~oqtcd4845nZyxiwQSwk24YvIFmGxAVdZubNBFEQMxXmWYoqQyOqkREYmPFZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 424, offered by Chairman Miller, would amend Titles 45 and 65 to allow political subdivisions and municipal authorities to publish redundant advertisements on their publicly accessible websites in addition to required newspaper advertisements, committee staff said.

Under the bill, an online redundant advertisement would satisfy public‑notice requirements if a newspaper failed to publish an advertisement on time, provided the entity retains records of its newspaper advertisement purchases or other proof of compliance. The bill would take effect in 60 days if enacted.

Chairman Miller described the measure as responding to practical problems municipalities have encountered when newspapers fail to publish. \"This is probably the finest piece of legislation we will vote on this entire session,\" Chairman Miller said, adding that municipal newspapers have struggled and that online redundancy would help municipalities continue to operate when advertising fails.

The bill has support from the State Association of Township Supervisors, the Boroughs Association, the State Association of Township Commissioners, the Municipal League and the Municipal Authorities Association. The committee approved the bill by voice vote; members voted unanimously to advance it to the floor.

Action details

- Motion to bring the bill forward: moved by Representative Probst; seconded by the committee.
- Final committee action: bill passed unanimously by voice vote and will be sent to the floor of the House.

Next steps

The bill was approved by the committee and will be scheduled for full House consideration.","House Bill 424, sponsored by Chairman Miller, would amend Titles 45 and 65 to allow political subdivisions and municipal authorities to post redundant public‑notice advertisements on their websites; if a newspaper fails to publish on time the online posting would be considered valid. The committee passed the bill unanimously.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350817,"House Bill 369 would let municipalities of any size form land banks",195,821000,1016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2231411-85200b82805a4e99f4f1f183891df245&start=821&end=1016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2231411-85200b82805a4e99f4f1f183891df245/thumbnail_821000.jpg","/articles/6350817/Pennsylvania/House-Bill-369-would-let-municipalities-of-any-size-form-land-banks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350817-85ede8238c861807660e31e09cb8776f/orig.mp4?Expires=1777560056&Signature=VSJ0skQpgIRsrT5TJ7mL7RuMrrZ4-98TGRqE~JFvDqjZBenGyGFRGTFItF3ebEpATj2Vk1EUZvTKKqOYgs-7hZf63sHp-GdelhCksFjWUVfkjbqKeM2R-Fmr9otvRwd3I7Gg1W7KHMG8nirzq9eHPPm9z2KSfLZBao1fdkv-d5k1qkK~GZuCZi-fJEn6HEwhRrMA01HbNacma-xqPYhkmmCPPOwk84BdGqD2dmRCrybE4PqCoj2uMqKtzlcQyPpslcXBr9iK~rzu2BJGN-IuzMXfSL7NEMwvPVbE9x9v6r91kaGORCzqcfXlYn0GEpSxOnS-~vQbV0fT~JqTIzH3VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Freeman’s House Bill 369 would change the definition of land‑bank jurisdiction to allow municipalities of any size to create land banks and to remove the population threshold that currently requires a jurisdiction to have at least 10,000 residents to establish a land bank.

Committee staff explained the bill would also remove the fewer‑than‑10,000 population requirement for two or more municipalities to jointly form a land bank and clarify that \"municipality\" would include optional plan and optional charter municipalities.

The committee heard that the bill has broad support from municipal associations and the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association. A passage read into the record from the authorities’ letter said in part: \"land banks have proven to be an effective tool in communities for encouraging new development, improving public safety, and reducing blight. Providing local governments with the ability to acquire and manage abandoned or vacant properties helps to increase property values, reduce maintenance costs, and return properties to productive use.\"

Committee members voted to advance the bill by voice vote; Representative Wendy Fink was recorded as the lone negative vote.

Action details

- Motion to bring the bill forward: moved by Representative Probst; seconded by Representative Prokopiak.
- Final committee action: bill advanced by voice vote; Representative Wendy Fink recorded as opposed.

What it would change

- Removes a population minimum (10,000 residents) for municipalities to establish land banks and removes the smaller‑municipality joint formation population restriction.
- Clarifies municipal definitions to include optional plan and optional charter municipalities.

Next steps

The committee advanced the bill for further consideration.","House Bill 369, sponsored by Chairman Freeman, would remove the minimum population requirement so any municipality — alone or jointly — could form a land bank; municipal associations and the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association told the committee they support the change as a tool to reduce blight and encourage redevelopment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350821,"House Bill 209 would align ordinance effective dates across municipal codes",461,548000,1009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2231411-85200b82805a4e99f4f1f183891df245&start=548&end=1009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2231411-85200b82805a4e99f4f1f183891df245/thumbnail_548000.jpg","/articles/6350821/Pennsylvania/House-Bill-209-would-align-ordinance-effective-dates-across-municipal-codes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350821-94d9b020c913a4f0db02825cedb91a52/orig.mp4?Expires=1777560056&Signature=SsQ4W6ovBnBM4OAiigCboOC-pxNcqFcvsalIeSNLtMnbYy73aItKsbGw4TJ0Y4XfiN8Ru~kobziTYg-qqER8GWs9M1QZwbjiss2cUCbRNvfgjQQsi1b3DSOHxunXCQMpTHwJ2~WA~MJY8KmfrTeNQdRqnPk2n6sgpSHq5CEBn7xnM7MC20zdOndR1bTzD2zQoP6LpR4fhNUz3K4OYj2xDSuGrzormrthjYtO446qMINZck7naqPRXxSMO7e~zjXdRZe91CEbQklVoPdSpaz1cDfchHBobe66ewthEPAevttaiKMzipf59uMT5MTpB07nf~ZtOoTgahHl6E-SDxWXsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 209, introduced by Representative Dabrowski and discussed in the House Local Government Committee, would adjust how ordinance effective dates operate across different classes of municipalities so the effective‑date provisions are consistent.

Leonard Altieri, chairman of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, described why his township supported the change. \"We adopted a new stormwater ordinance in Newtown Township which increased our riparian buffers from 50 to 100 feet,\" Altieri said. He said the ordinance was enacted during a Monday meeting and that by Friday \"we had 2 applications come in to vest under that existing thing,\" illustrating the concern the bill seeks to address.

Altieri told the committee the bill would not change notice requirements; it would make effective‑date rules consistent with those used by other municipal codes. Committee members discussed the balance between allowing immediate effect and giving residents time to adjust. Chairman Miller said he would support the bill but encouraged municipalities to allow additional time when measures are likely to be controversial.

Committee members voted to report the bill out unanimously by voice vote; no opposition was recorded.

Action details

- Motion to bring the bill forward: moved by Representative Probst; seconded by Representative Freeman.
- Final committee action: bill reported out unanimously (voice vote; no opposition recorded).

What it would change

- Seeks to make ordinance effective‑date provisions consistent across municipal codes (first‑class, second‑class, boroughs) so that enacted ordinances follow a uniform rule; specific statutory text changes were discussed by committee staff.

Background and local example

Newtown Township (Delaware County) was cited as the impetus for the legislation; Altieri said the township population is about 15,000 and described the stormwater ordinance and subsequent vesting applications as the motivating example.

Next steps

The committee reported the bill out to the next stage for further consideration.","House Bill 209, sponsored by Representative Dabrowski, would change the treatment of ordinance effective dates so they are consistent across different municipal classes; proponents said the change would reduce opportunities for immediate post‑enactment \"vesting\" applications following ordinance adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Bill 162 would let third‑class cities levy one‑half‑mill emergency‑services tax

House Bill 424 lets municipalities post redundant public‑notice ads online when newspapers fail to publish

House Bill 369 would let municipalities of any size form land banks

House Bill 209 would align ordinance effective dates across municipal codes