HARRISBURG — The Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Cris Dush, (R-Brookville), approved his bill to modernize parts of the state code for Second Class townships.

All townships in McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter counties qualify as Second Class townships.

Under Senate Bill 673, an elected or appointed official of a township may not be held financially responsible if the official causes a monetary loss to the township while acting in good faith on a written or publicly-disclosed opinion of the township solicitor.

This bill also allows a township board of supervisors to appoint an entity to serve as township manager under a professional services agreement. The entity can be a partnership, limited partnership, association, or professional corporation. Currently, only an individual can be appointed as township manager. This bill gives townships another option when it comes to receiving management services.

“As both the chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee and a member of the bipartisan, bicameral Local Government Commission, I am happy to advance these measures and thank the Commission staff for their good work on both bills,” said Dush.

Senate Bill 675, introduced by Senator Judy Schwank, D-Berks, also passed through the Local Government Committee. This bill amends Title 11 to allow a Third Class city to appoint a partnership, limited partnership, association or professional corporation as the city administrator.

These changes are supported by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and are consistent with revisions made to the First Class Township Code in the previous legislative session. Senate Bill 673 now heads to the Senate for consideration.