PRINTER'S NO. 1351
No. 1145 Session of 1977
INTRODUCED BY PITTS, A. K. HUTCHINSON, PETRARCA, ZELLER, VROON,
SIRIANNI, DeVERTER, LEHR AND MANMILLER, MAY 24, 1977
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MAY 24, 1977
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), entitled "An
2 act concerning townships of the second class; and amending,
3 revising, consolidating, and changing the law relating
4 thereto," further providing for levy for fire protection.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. Clause 4 of subsection A of section 905, act of
8 May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as "The Second Class
9 Township Code," reenacted and amended July 10, 1947 (P.L.1481,
10 No.567), and amended July 16, 1975 (P.L.69, No.40), is amended
11 to read:
12 Section 905. Township and Special Tax Levies.--A. The board
13 of township supervisors may, by resolution, levy taxes upon all
14 real property and upon all occupations, or upon real property
15 alone, within the township made taxable for township purposes,
16 as ascertained by the last adjusted valuation for county
17 purposes, for the purposes and at the rates hereinafter
18 specified. All taxes shall be collected in cash.
19 * * *
1 4. (i) An annual tax, not exceeding three mills, pursuant to
2 provision therefor in the township budget, for the purpose of
3 purchasing and maintaining fire apparatus, for the purpose of
4 making appropriations to fire companies both within and without
5 the township and of contracting with adjacent municipalities or
6 volunteer fire companies therein for fire protection, for the
7 purchase and maintenance of fire apparatus, and for the purposes
8 of providing a suitable place for the housing of fire apparatus.
9 If an annual tax for the purposes specified in this clause is
10 proposed to be set at a level higher than three mills, the
11 question shall be submitted to the voters of the township, and
12 the county board of elections shall frame the question in
13 accordance with the election laws of the Commonwealth for
14 submission to the voters of the township.
15 (ii) A levy of one mill shall be levied annually unless
16 taxes are levied on other than a millage basis. The proceeds of
17 every one mill levy or of one mill of every levy shall be
18 divided among the volunteer fire companies of the township in
19 such proportion as the assessed valuation of the area served by
20 each company bears to the entire assessed valuation of the
21 township, State and county realty to be excluded in both cases.
22 Where independent volunteer rescue companies service the
23 township, an additional two-tenths mill shall be levied, the
24 proceeds to be paid to the independent volunteer rescue
25 companies in the same proportions and manner as hereinbefore
26 provided for payments to volunteer fire companies. The proceeds
27 of the mandatory one mill or one and two-tenths mills may be
28 used by the volunteer fire or rescue companies for purchase,
29 renewal or repair of fire or rescue vehicles, protective
30 accessory or communications equipment and apparatus used in fire
19770H1145B1351 - 2 -
1 or rescue service or for the purchase of land upon which to
2 erect a fire or rescue service house, or for the erection and
3 maintenance of a fire or rescue service house, or for training
4 or for insurance premiums. Such funds shall be annually audited
5 by the township.
6 Where township taxes are levied on other than a millage
7 basis, the amounts of taxes collected which shall be annually
8 allocated for fire protection under this subclause, in lieu of
9 the one mill or one and two-tenths mills levies, shall be seven
10 and one-tenth per centum or eight and six tenths per centum
11 respectively of the amount of township taxes allocated for road,
12 bridge and general township purposes.
13 * * *
14 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
B1L58HVY/19770H1145B1351 - 3 -