PRINTER'S NO. 2242
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1810
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN, ROZZI, KAZEEM,
OTTEN, DALEY AND GREEN, NOVEMBER 2, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, NOVEMBER 2, 2023
AN ACT
Amending Title 65 (Public Officers) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in open meetings, further providing
for definitions and for public participation.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 703 of Title 65 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a definition to read:
§ 703. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Person of interest." Any of the following:
(1) A resident of an adjoining political subdivision or
of an authority created by a political subdivision that will
be affected by any of the following that are or may be before
a board or council prior to taking official action:
(i) A matter of concern.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
(ii) An official action.
(iii) Deliberation.
(2) A local official, Senator or Representative whose
district encompasses a political subdivision that will be
affected by any of the following that are or may be before a
board or council prior to taking official action:
(i) A matter of concern.
(ii) An official action.
(iii) Deliberation.
* * *
Section 2. Section 710.1(a) of Title 65 is amended to read:
§ 710.1. Public participation.
(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (d), the
board or council of a political subdivision or of an authority
created by a political subdivision shall provide a reasonable
opportunity at each advertised regular meeting and advertised
special meeting for one or more representatives of persons of
interest, residents of the political subdivision or of the
authority created by a political subdivision or for taxpayers of
the political subdivision or of the authority created by a
political subdivision or for both to comment on matters of
concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be
before the board or council prior to taking official action. The
board or council has the option to accept all public comment at
the beginning of the meeting. If the board or council determines
that there is not sufficient time at a meeting for one or more
representatives of persons of interest, residents of the
political subdivision or of the authority created by a political
subdivision or for taxpayers of the political subdivision or of
the authority created by a political subdivision or for both to
20230HB1810PN2242 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
comment, the board or council may defer the comment period to
the next regular meeting or to a special meeting occurring in
advance of the next regular meeting.
* * *
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20230HB1810PN2242 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5