Rader Leaf Collection Mandate Relief Bill Signed Into Law
HARRISBURG – Local taxpayers are poised to save some money after a bill introduced by Rep. Jack Rader (R-Monroe) was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Tom Wolf. The new law enables certain municipalities to opt out of expensive leaf collection programs.
“This new law is about removing a costly mandate in order to save taxpayers money,” Rader said. “The law I ushered through the legislative process will give municipalities the flexibility to determine if expensive leaf collection programs are practical in their communities.”
Act 101 – formerly Rader’s
House Bill 927 – exempts municipalities from the state law mandating leaf waste collection programs if they meet a certain population density requirement. Municipalities with fewer than 500 people per square mile will now be exempt from the state mandate. The exemption is only available if the municipality has an ordinance prohibiting the burning of leaf waste.
Leaf waste collection programs can require municipalities to purchase expensive equipment with limited taxpayer dollars. Rural communities with sparsely populated areas may find the equipment and programs to be expensive and impractical.
The state House in June 2017 approved Rader’s bill and the Senate last week passed the bill with bipartisan support.
“This is a commonsense reform intended to give municipalities flexibility and provide taxpayers with some relief,” Rader said. “This law is the result of bipartisan cooperation at the state level and an understanding that state government needs to work with local governments to better serve taxpayers and residents. I worked with local elected officials to identify this issue and my colleagues in Harrisburg to remedy it in a way that will benefit taxpayers across the Commonwealth.”
The new law takes effect in 60 days.
Representative Jack Rader
176th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
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