Mar. 28, 2019
HARRISBURG – A three-bill package sponsored by Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Franklin) that would make intergovernmental cooperation easier and more efficient in Pennsylvania passed unanimously in the House of Representatives this week.
House Bills 510,
511 and
512 will next be considered by the Senate.
“I believe this package of bills will save Pennsylvania municipalities both time and money, while also simplifying the process for aid and cooperation between local governments,” said Schemel.
Under current Pennsylvania law, in order to enter into an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement, a municipality must go through the formality of enacting an ordinance detailing the specifics of the agreement. The formal enactment of an ordinance requires the publication of a legal notice and the entry of the new ordinance into the ordinance book, both of which are costly and time-consuming endeavors for municipalities.
Schemel’s legislation would remove the requirement that a municipality enact an ordinance, permitting instead a municipal resolution providing for a simpler process regarding aid and cooperation between local governments.
Schemel noted that the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners, Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association and the Pennsylvania Municipal League all support his legislation.
Schemel was the prime sponsor of similar legislation that passed in the House during the last session, but it failed to come up for a vote in the Senate.
Representative Paul Schemel
90th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepSchemel.com /
Facebook.com/RepSchemel