53 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Appendix To Title

APPENDIX TO TITLE 53

MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY

Supplementary Provisions of Amendatory Statutes

2001, JUNE 19, P.L.287, NO.22

§ 2. Applicability to authorities incorporated under former laws.

The provisions of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56 shall apply to all authorities now existing that were incorporated under the provisions of the former act of June 28, 1935 (P.L.463, No.191), entitled "An act providing, for a limited period of time, for the incorporation, as bodies corporate and politic, of "Authorities" for municipalities; defining the same; prescribing the rights, powers, and duties of such Authorities; authorizing such Authorities to acquire, construct, improve, maintain, and operate projects, and to borrow money and issue bonds therefor; providing for the payment of such bonds, and prescribing the rights of the holders thereof; conferring the right of eminent domain on such Authorities; authorizing such Authorities to enter into contracts with and to accept grants from the Federal Government or any agency thereof; and for other purposes," and the act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known as the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945. The provisions of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56, so far as they are the same as those of existing laws, are intended as a continuation of such laws and not as new enactments. The repeal by this act of any act or part of any act shall not affect the existence of any authority previously incorporated. The provisions of this act shall not affect any act done, liability incurred or right accrued or vested or affect any suit pending or to be instituted to enforce any right or penalty under the authority of such repealed laws. All rules and regulations made pursuant to any act or part of any act repealed by 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56 shall continue with the same force and effect as if such act had not been repealed.

Explanatory Note. Act 22 added Chapters 55 and 56 of Title 53.

§ 4. Continuation of Municipality Authorities Act of 1945.

The addition of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56 is a continuation of the act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known as the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945. The following apply:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56, all activities initiated under the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945 shall continue and remain in full force and effect and may be completed under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56. Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which were made under the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945 and which are in effect on the effective date of section 3 of this act shall remain in full force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56. Contracts, obligations and collective bargaining agreements entered into under the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945 are not affected or impaired by the repeal of the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945.

(2) Except as set forth in paragraph (3), any difference in language between 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56 and the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945 is intended only to conform to the style of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to change or affect the legislative intent, judicial construction or administration and implementation of the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to any of the following provisions:

(i) The addition of the last sentence of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5610(b).

(ii) The addition of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5610(f).

§ 5. Continuation of Parking Authority Law.

The addition of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55 is a continuation of the act of June 5, 1947 (P.L.458, No.208), known as the Parking Authority Law. The following apply:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55, all activities initiated under the Parking Authority Law shall continue and remain in full force and effect and may be completed under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55. Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which were made under the Parking Authority Law and which are in effect on the effective date of section 3 of this act shall remain in full force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55. Contracts, obligations and collective bargaining agreements entered into under the Parking Authority Law are not affected or impaired by the repeal of the Parking Authority Law.

(2) Except as set forth in paragraph (3), any difference in language between 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 55 and the Parking Authority Law is intended only to conform to the style of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to change or affect the legislative intent, judicial construction or administration and implementation of the Parking Authority Law.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to the addition of 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 5508(a) and 5508.1.

2001, DECEMBER 17, P.L.926, NO.110

§ 4. Continuation of membership on board.

Notwithstanding any provision of section 2 of the act of December 20, 2000 (P.L.792, No.112), entitled "An act amending the act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), entitled 'An act providing for the incorporation as bodies corporate and politic of "Authorities" for municipalities, counties and townships; prescribing the rights, powers and duties of such Authorities heretofore or hereafter incorporated; authorizing such Authorities to acquire, construct, improve, maintain and operate projects, and to borrow money and issue bonds therefor; providing for the payment of such bonds, and prescribing the rights of the holders thereof; conferring the right of eminent domain on such Authorities; authorizing such Authorities to enter into contracts with and to accept grants from the Federal Government or any agency thereof; and conferring exclusive jurisdiction on certain courts over rates,'" to the contrary, any member of a board of a municipality authority who was appointed prior to the effective date (February 20, 2001) of the act of December 20, 2000 (P.L.792, No.112), and who immediately prior to the effective date (February 20, 2001) of the act of December 20, 2000 (P.L.792, No.112) was qualified to be a member of a board under section 7A of the former act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known as the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945, shall remain and be deemed to have remained at all times qualified to be a member of the board until the regular expiration of the member's term.

Explanatory Note. Act 110 amended sections 5505, 5506, 5516, 5602, 5603, 5606, 5607, 5608, 5609, 5610, 5614, 5615, 5619 and 5622 of Title 53.

2003, DECEMBER 30, P.L.404, NO.57

§ 2. Applicability to connection, customer facilities, tapping or similar fees.

Notwithstanding section 5(1) of this act, this act shall apply immediately to any connection, customer facilities, tapping or similar fees which are increased or initially imposed subsequent to the effective date of this section.

Explanatory Note. Act 57 amended section 5607 of Title 53.

§ 3. Applicability of mandatory refund provisions.

Notwithstanding section 5(1) of this act, the mandatory refund provisions of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5607(d)(24)(i)(C)(VI) applicable to tapping fees based upon facilities to be constructed or acquired in the future shall apply to tapping fees collected subsequent to the effective date of this section regardless of when the resolution adopting such tapping fees was adopted.

§ 4. Applicability to sewer tapping fees and original financing.

The following shall apply:

(1) The provisions of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5607(d)(24)(i)(C)(I) and (V)(e) shall not apply for a period of 15 years after the effective date of this section to sewer tapping fees imposed by a joint authority having six or more municipal members which is prohibited from implementing any increase in sewer user fees pursuant to the terms of a contract executed prior to January 1, 2003.

(2) The provisions of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5607(d)(24)(i)(C)(V)(e) shall not apply for a period of five years after the date of closing of original financing when an authority, in order to support the construction of new facilities, used original financing which closed on or before July 1, 2003, which has a term of at least 15 years and in which tapping fees were relied upon to support the debt service on the financing.

2003, DECEMBER 30, P.L.450, NO.65

§ 4. Applicability.

This act shall apply to police officers required by this act to obtain certification under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal police and training) as follows:

(1) A police officer who, as of the effective date of this section, has successfully completed a basic training course similar to that required under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D shall, after review by the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission, be certified as having met the basic training requirements of 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D.

(2) A police officer who, as of the effective date of this section, has not successfully completed a basic training course similar to that required under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D and is, for that reason, not qualified for certification under paragraph (1), shall be able to perform the duties of a police officer for one year from the effective date of this section. By the end of that year, the police officer must be certified under paragraph (1).

Explanatory Note. Act 65 amended or repealed sections 2162, 2166.1, 2167 and 2170 of Title 53.

References in Text. The references to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D should probably be to 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D.

2004, JULY 16, P.L.758, NO.94

§ 20. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission contracts.

The following provisions shall not apply to or affect the validity of any contract otherwise within the purview of such provisions entered into by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission prior to the effective date of this section:

(1) The reenactment of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5505(d)(23).

(2) The reenactment of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5508.1(o).

(2.1) The reenactment of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5508.2.

(3) The reenactment of 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 5510.1 through 5510.11.

(4) The reenactment, amendment or addition of 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 5701, 5701.1, 5702, 5703, 5704, 5705, 5706, 5707, 5711, 5712, 5713, 5714, 5715, 5716, 5717, 5718, 5719, 5720, 5721, 5722, 5723, 5724, 5725, 5741, 5741.1, 5742, 5743, 5744 and 5745.

(5) Section 19 of this act.

(6) Section 21 of this act.

(7) Section 22 of this act.

(8) Section 24 of this act.

Explanatory Note. Act 94 reenacted, amended, added or deleted sections 5503, 5505, 5508.1, 5508.2, 5508.3, 5510.1, 5510.2, 5510.3, 5510.4, 5510.5, 5510.6, 5510.7, 5510.8, 5510.9, 5510.10, 5510.11, 5511, 5701, 5701.1, 5702, 5703, 5704, 5705, 5706, 5707, 5708, 5709, 5711, 5712, 5713, 5714, 5715, 5716, 5717, 5718, 5719, 5720, 5721, 5722, 5723, 5724, 5725, 5741, 5741.1, 5742, 5743, 5744 and 5745 of Title 53.

§ 21. Preservation of rights, obligations, duties and remedies.

The following provisions do not affect any act done, liability incurred or right accrued or vested or affect any civil or criminal proceeding pending or to be commenced to enforce any right or penalty or punish any offense under any provision of law repealed by section 19 of this act:

(1) The reenactment of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5508.1(o).

(2) The reenactment of 53 Pa.C.S. § 5508.2.

(3) The reenactment of 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 5510.1 through 5510.11.

(4) The reenactment, amendment or addition of 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 5701, 5701.1, 5702, 5703, 5704, 5705, 5706, 5707, 5711, 5712, 5713, 5714, 5715, 5716, 5717, 5718, 5719, 5720, 5721, 5722, 5723, 5724, 5725, 5741, 5741.1, 5742, 5743, 5744 and 5745.

(5) The provisions of 66 Pa.C.S. §§ 510(b)(5) and 1103(c) and Ch. 24.

(6) Section 20 of this act.

(7) Section 22 of this act.

(8) Section 24 of this act.

§ 22. Applicability.

The following shall apply:

(1) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's appropriations, allocations, documents, records, equipment, materials, powers, duties, contracts, rights and obligations which are utilized or accrue in connection with the functions under 66 Pa.C.S. Ch. 24 and in connection with limousine regulation in cities of the first class shall be transferred to the Philadelphia Parking Authority in accordance with an agreement between the commission and the authority.

(2) Regulations, orders, programs and policies of the commission under 66 Pa.C.S. Ch. 24 and concerning limousine service regulation within cities of the first class shall remain in effect until specifically amended, rescinded or altered by the authority.

(3) The State Treasurer shall coordinate with the authority and transfer the First Class City Taxicab Regulatory Fund to the authority. Upon transfer, fiduciary responsibility over the fund shall pass from the State Treasurer to the authority.

(4) The commission shall assist the authority to prepare for the transfer and to ensure a smooth transition with as little disruption as possible to public safety, consumer convenience and the impacted industries. The commission and the authority are empowered to resolve by mutual agreement any jurisdictional issues that may be associated with the transfer. Any agreement shall be reported to the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives and will be considered effective unless either the Senate or the House of Representatives rejects the submitted agreement by resolution within ten legislative days of submission. Upon becoming effective, an agreement shall be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

(4.1) Any revenues generated by a taxicab or limousine while operating under the jurisdiction of the authority shall be exempt from assessment by the commission. The provisions of this paragraph shall have no effect on the fees allowed to be charged by the authority in accordance with the provisions of section 5707.

(5) As soon as is practical but no later than 60 days after the effective date of this paragraph, subject to negotiations between the commission and the authority, the authority shall notify all current employees of the commission whose jobs would be impacted by the transfer of its intention to hire. All employees who receive and accept offers to be transferred shall be employees of the authority, and the authority shall make provisions to transfer longevity credits, payroll credits and other personnel benefits, except for retirement accounts, in a fair and reasonable manner. Notwithstanding the provisions of 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 5505(d)(8) and (20) and 5508.1(1), any ordinance of any city of the first class or any agreement or contract between a city of the first class and the authority, the pension and retirement rights of employees of the commission at the time of the transfer whose jobs are impacted by the transfer and who receive and accept offers to be transferred and be employees of the authority upon the transfer of the funds and programs pursuant to this section shall be determined by the provisions of 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV, and for such employees the authority shall have the obligations and duties of employers under Pt. XXV. The authority shall make every reasonable effort to provide a position similar to that held with the commission.

(6) Reasonable costs of transfer of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission shall be paid by the First Class City Taxicab Regulatory Fund.

(7) Employees of the Philadelphia Parking Authority who were employees of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission immediately prior to becoming employees of the Philadelphia Parking Authority and who have been continuously employed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority since the time of becoming an employee of the Philadelphia Parking Authority shall not, after termination of service from the Philadelphia Parking Authority, be considered to be State employees or performing State service if subsequently reemployed as an officer or employee of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

§ 24. Publication in Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission shall transmit notice of the entry into the agreement under section 22(4) of this act to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

2004, NOVEMBER 30, P.L.1618, NO.207

§ 28. Applicability.

This act shall apply as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), any and all references in any other law to a "district justice" or "justice of the peace" shall be deemed to be references to a magisterial district judge.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the provisions of 71 Pa.C.S.

Explanatory Note. Act 207 amended section 2915 of Title 53.

§ 29. Construction of law.

Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to provide magisterial district judges with retirement benefits or rights that are different from those available to district justices or justices of the peace immediately prior to the effective date of this act. Nothing in this act shall be construed or deemed to provide senior magisterial district judges with retirement benefits or rights that are different from those available to senior district justices immediately prior to the effective date of this act.

2005, JULY 14, P.L.280, NO.49

§ 3. Continuation of prior law.

The addition of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 60 is a continuation of the act of December 14, 1992 (P.L.866, No.137), known as the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act. The following apply:

(1) All activities initiated under the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act shall continue and remain in full force and effect and may be completed under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 60. Ordinances, orders, rules and decisions which were made under the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act and which are in effect on the effective date of the addition of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 60 shall remain in full force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 60. Contracts and obligations entered into under the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act are not affected nor impaired by the repeal of the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act.

(2) Except as set forth in paragraph (3), any difference in language between 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 60 and the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act is intended only to conform to the style of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and is not intended to change or affect the legislative intent, judicial construction or administration and implementation of the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to the addition of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 60 Subch. C.

Explanatory Note. Act 49 added Chapter 60 of Title 53.

§ 4. Fees in first class cities.

If this act is enacted after July 1, 2005, and prior to July 1, 2006, then the city council of a city of the first class may institute the new fee under 53 Pa.C.S. § 6021(a) for a partial fiscal year and may allocate those funds under 53 Pa.C.S. § 6022(b) within fiscal year 2005-2006.

2008, JULY 9, P.L.999, NO.76

§ 4. Continuation of prior law.

The addition of 53 Pa.C.S. § 8721 is a continuation of section 1970.2 of the Second Class County Code. Except as otherwise provided in 53 Pa.C.S. § 8721, all activities initiated under section 1970.2 of the Second Class County Code shall continue and remain in full force and effect and may be completed under 53 Pa.C.S. § 8721. Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which were made under section 1970.2 of the Second Class County Code and which are in effect on the effective date of section 3(2) of this act shall remain in full force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under 53 Pa.C.S. § 8721. Contracts, obligations and collective bargaining agreements entered into under section 1970.2 of the Second Class County Code are not affected nor impaired by the repeal of section 1970.2 of the Second Class County Code.

Explanatory Note. Act 76 added Subchapter D of Chapter 11 and Subchapter C of Chapter 87 of Title 53.

2010, OCTOBER 27, P.L.895, NO.93

§ 4. Consolidated county assessment in cities of the third class.

If a city of the third class accepts 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 88, all former city employees in the office of the city assessor who are employed in the office of the county assessor and who are members of the city's pension or retirement system may, notwithstanding the provisions of section 10 of the act of August 31, 1971 (P.L.398, No.96), known as the County Pension Law, relating to compulsory membership, file an election in writing with the county commissioners and the city pension board within one year after they become county employees to retain their membership in the city pension or retirement system. The county shall deduct from the employees' salaries the amounts of their contributions to the pension or retirement system of the city and pay the deductions to the city pension or retirement system. A member who files an election as provided in this section may not thereafter elect to become a member of the county's retirement system and shall continue to remain a member of the city pension or retirement system until retirement.

Explanatory Note. Act 93 added section 2317, Chapter 88 and Subpart D of Part VII of Title 53.

§ 7. Continuation of prior law.

The following apply:

(1) The addition of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 88 is a continuation of the following:

(i) The act of June 26, 1931 (P.L.1379, No.348), referred to as the Third Class County Assessment Board Law.

(ii) The act of May 21, 1943 (P.L.571, No.254), known as The Fourth to Eighth Class and Selective County Assessment Law.

(iii) Sections 1770.3 and 1770.9 of the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 88, all activities initiated under the statutory provisions referred to in paragraph (1) shall continue and remain in full force and effect and may be completed under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 88. Orders, regulations, rules and decisions which were made under the statutory provisions referred to in paragraph (1) and which are in effect on the effective date of section 5 of this act shall remain in full force and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 88. Contracts, obligations and collective bargaining agreements entered into under the statutory provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are not affected nor impaired by the repeal of the statutory provisions referred to in paragraph (1).

2013, JULY 9, P.L.455, NO.64

§ 7. Appropriation from Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund.

The sum of $5,874,399 is hereby appropriated to the Philadelphia Parking Authority from the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund for the fiscal period July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014, to implement and administer the provisions of this act.

Explanatory Note. Act 64 amended or added sections 5510.2, 5701, 5706, 5707, 5707.1, 5708, 5709, 5710, 5711 and 5718 of Title 53.

2014, MARCH 14, P.L.38, NO.18

§ 1. Legislative findings and declarations.

The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) The county park police force established by a county of the third class under section 2511 of the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, has been granted the power to enforce the laws of this Commonwealth and otherwise perform the functions of that office anywhere within the primary jurisdiction of that force.

(2) By participating in the program under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal police education and training), the officers of the county park police force will receive certification and training to enhance the performance of the powers of the office.

Explanatory Note. Act 18 amended or reenacted section 8951 of Title 42 and sections 2162, 2170 and 2171 of Title 53.

Last modified: October 8, 2016