1Amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), entitled,
2as amended, "An act to empower cities of the second class A,
3and third class, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships of
4the first and second classes including those within a county
5of the second class and counties of the second through eighth
6classes, individually or jointly, to plan their development
7and to govern the same by zoning, subdivision and land
8development ordinances, planned residential development and
9other ordinances, by official maps, by the reservation of
10certain land for future public purpose and by the acquisition
11of such land; to promote the conservation of energy through
12the use of planning practices and to promote the effective
13utilization of renewable energy sources; providing for the
14establishment of planning commissions, planning departments,
15planning committees and zoning hearing boards, authorizing
16them to charge fees, make inspections and hold public
17hearings; providing for mediation; providing for transferable
18development rights; providing for appropriations, appeals to
19courts and penalties for violations; and repealing acts and
20parts of acts," further providing for organization of board.

21The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
22hereby enacts as follows:

23Section 1. Section 906 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, 
24No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,

25reenacted and amended December 21, 1988 (P.L.1329, No.170) and
26amended November 19, 2004 (P.L.831, No.99), is amended to read:

27Section 906. Organization of Board.--(a) The board shall

1elect from its own membership its officers, who shall serve
2annual terms as such and may succeed themselves. For the conduct
3of any hearing and the taking of any action, a quorum shall be
4not less than a majority of all the members of the board, but
5the board may appoint a hearing officer from its own membership
6to conduct any hearing on its behalf and the parties may waive
7further action by the board as provided in section 908.

8(b) (1) The chairman of the board may designate alternate
9members of the board to replace any absent or disqualified
10member [, and if,].

11(2) If, by reason of absence or disqualification of a
12member, a quorum is not reached, the chairman of the board
13shall designate as many alternate members of the board to sit
14on the board as may be needed to reach a quorum.

15(3) If, by reason of disqualification of a member due to
16conflict of interest, the chairman of the board shall
17designate as many alternate members of the board to sit on
18the board as may be needed to replace the disqualified
19members.

20(4) Any alternate member of the board shall continue to
21serve on the board in all proceedings involving the matter or
22case for which the alternate was initially appointed until
23the board has made a final decision on the matter or case.

24(5) Designation of an alternate pursuant to this section
25shall be made on a case-by-case basis in rotation according
26to declining seniority among all alternates.

27(c) The board may make, alter and rescind rules and forms
28for its procedure, consistent with ordinances of the
29municipality and laws of the Commonwealth. The board shall keep
30full public records of its business, which records shall be the

1property of the municipality, and shall submit a report of its
2activities to the governing body as requested by the governing
3body.

4Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.