HOUSE AMENDED
        PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 255, 1594                PRINTER'S NO. 2178

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 254 Session of 1981


        INTRODUCED BY EARLY AND O'PAKE, FEBRUARY 3, 1981

        AS RE-REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF
           REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 9, 1982

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), entitled,
     2     as amended, "An act relating to counties of the second class
     3     and second class A; amending, revising, consolidating and
     4     changing the laws relating thereto," authorizing the           <--
     5     establishment of horse riding trails and show rings in county
     6     parks. FURTHER PROVIDING FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC PARKS,     <--
     7     AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF HORSE SHOW
     8     RINGS IN PUBLIC PARKS, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR TAX LEVIES AND    <--
     9     MAKING AN EDITORIAL CHANGE.

    10     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    11  hereby enacts as follows:
    12     Section 1.  Section 3028, act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723,       <--
    13  No.230), known as the "Second Class County Code," is amended to
    14  read:
    15     SECTION 1.  SECTION 1970, ACT OF JULY 28, 1953 (P.L.723,       <--
    16  NO.230), KNOWN AS THE "SECOND CLASS COUNTY CODE," AMENDED MAY
    17  22, 1981 (P.L.76, NO.24), IS AMENDED TO READ:
    18     SECTION 1970.  TAX LEVIES.--NO TAX SHALL BE LEVIED ON
    19  PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXABLE FOR COUNTY PURPOSES WHERE THE RATE OF
    20  TAXATION THEREON IS FIXED BY LAW OTHER THAN AT THE RATE SO

     1  FIXED. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL FIX, BY RESOLUTION, THE
     2  RATE OF TAXATION FOR EACH YEAR. THE TAX LEVIED SHALL BE FOR THE
     3  PURPOSE OF CREATING A GENERAL FUND TO PAY EXPENSES INCURRED FOR
     4  GENERAL COUNTY PURPOSES, FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE MATTERS
     5  CONNECTED WITH ROADS PROVIDED FOR IN SUBSECTION (G) OF SECTION
     6  2901 HEREOF, FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE MATTERS CONNECTED WITH PARKS
     7  AND RELATED MATTERS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTIONS 3007 AND 3035
     8  HEREOF[, AND FOR THE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES CONNECTED WITH THE
     9  OPERATION OF A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AS PROVIDED BY LAW]. NO SUCH
    10  TAX IN ANY COUNTY OF THE SECOND CLASS, SHALL IN ANY ONE YEAR
    11  EXCEED THE RATE OF TWENTY MILLS ON EVERY DOLLAR OF THE ADJUSTED
    12  VALUATION: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE RATE OF TAXATION FOR
    13  PAYMENT OF INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL ON ANY INDEBTEDNESS INCURRED
    14  PURSUANT TO THE ACT OF JULY 12, 1972 (P.L.781, NO.185), KNOWN AS
    15  THE "LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT DEBT ACT," OR ANY PRIOR OR SUBSEQUENT
    16  ACT GOVERNING THE INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS OF THE COUNTY SHALL
    17  BE UNLIMITED. NO TAX FOR GENERAL COUNTY PURPOSES IN ANY COUNTY
    18  OF THE SECOND CLASS A SHALL IN ANY ONE YEAR EXCEED THE RATE OF
    19  THIRTY MILLS ON EVERY DOLLAR OF THE ADJUSTED VALUATION:
    20  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE RATE OF TAXATION FOR PAYMENT OF
    21  INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL ON ANY INDEBTEDNESS INCURRED PURSUANT TO
    22  THE ACT OF JULY 12, 1972 (P.L.781, NO.185), KNOWN AS THE "LOCAL
    23  GOVERNMENT UNIT DEBT ACT," OR ANY PRIOR OR SUBSEQUENT ACT
    24  GOVERNING THE INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS OF THE COUNTY SHALL BE
    25  UNLIMITED. IN FIXING THE RATE OF TAXATION, THE COUNTY
    26  COMMISSIONERS IF THE RATE IS FIXED IN MILLS, SHALL ALSO INCLUDE
    27  IN THE RESOLUTION A STATEMENT EXPRESSING THE RATE OF TAXATION IN
    28  DOLLARS AND CENTS ON EACH ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS OF ASSESSED
    29  VALUATION OF TAXABLE PROPERTY.
    30     SECTION 2.  SECTIONS 3001 AND 3002 OF THE ACT ARE AMENDED TO   <--
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     1  READ:
     2     SECTION 1.  SECTIONS 3001 AND 3002, ACT OF JULY 28, 1953       <--
     3  (P.L.723, NO.230), KNOWN AS THE "SECOND CLASS COUNTY CODE," IS
     4  AMENDED TO READ:
     5     SECTION 3001.  ACQUISITION OF LAND AND BUILDINGS FOR
     6  RECREATION PLACES.--(A)  THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY DESIGNATE
     7  AND SET APART FOR USE AS PARKS, PARKWAYS, BRIDLE PATHS, HORSE
     8  SHOW RINGS, FOOT PATHS, PLAYGROUNDS, PLAYFIELDS, GYMNASIUMS,
     9  PUBLIC BATHS, SWIMMING POOLS OR INDOOR RECREATION CENTERS, AND
    10  AS AGRICULTURAL FAIRGROUNDS, ANY LANDS OR BUILDINGS OWNED BY
    11  SUCH COUNTY AND NOT DEDICATED OR DEVOTED TO OTHER PUBLIC USE.
    12     (B)  THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY ALSO ACQUIRE LANDS OR
    13  BUILDINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSES BY GIFT, PURCHASE OR MAY LEASE LANDS
    14  OR BUILDINGS IN SUCH COUNTY FOR TEMPORARY USE FOR SUCH PURPOSES.
    15     SECTION 3002.  EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE.--THE AUTHORITY TO
    16  SUPERVISE, BUILD AND MAINTAIN FAIRGROUNDS, PARKS, PARKWAYS,
    17  BRIDLE PATHS, HORSE SHOW RINGS, FOOTPATHS, PLAYGROUNDS,
    18  PLAYFIELDS, GYMNASIUMS, PUBLIC BATHS, SWIMMING POOLS OR INDOOR
    19  RECREATION CENTERS MAY BE VESTED IN ANY EXISTING BODY OR BOARD,
    20  OR IN A PARK BOARD, OR RECREATION BOARD, OR FAIR BOARD, AS THE
    21  COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY DETERMINE. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
    22  THE COUNTY MAY EQUIP, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE FAIRGROUNDS,
    23  PARKS, PARKWAYS, BRIDLE PATHS, HORSE SHOW RINGS, FOOT PATHS,
    24  PLAYGROUNDS, PLAYFIELDS, GYMNASIUMS, SWIMMING POOLS, PUBLIC
    25  BATHS OR INDOOR RECREATION CENTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY THIS ACT,
    26  AND MAY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
    27  ACT, EMPLOY PLAY LEADERS, RECREATION DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS,
    28  SUPERINTENDENTS OR ANY OTHER OFFICERS OR EMPLOYES, AS THEY DEEM
    29  PROPER.
    30     SECTION 3 2.  SECTION 3003 OF THE ACT, AMENDED AUGUST 10,      <--
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     1  1965 (P.L.321, NO.170) AND REPEALED INSOFAR AS INCONSISTENT
     2  OCTOBER 4, 1978 (P.L.909, NO.173), IS AMENDED TO READ:
     3     SECTION 3003.  FAIR, PARK AND RECREATION BOARDS.--(A)  IF THE
     4  COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL DETERMINE THAT THE POWER TO SUPERVISE
     5  FAIRGROUNDS, PARKS, PARKWAYS, BRIDLE PATHS, HORSE SHOW RINGS,
     6  FOOT PATHS, PLAYGROUNDS, PLAYFIELDS, GYMNASIUMS, PUBLIC BATHS,
     7  SWIMMING POOLS OR RECREATION CENTERS SHALL BE EXERCISED BY A
     8  PARK BOARD OR RECREATION BOARD OR FAIR BOARD, THEY MAY ESTABLISH
     9  IN SAID COUNTY SUCH FAIR BOARD, PARK BOARD OR RECREATION BOARD,
    10  WHICH SHALL POSSESS ALL THE POWERS AND BE SUBJECT TO ALL THE
    11  RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE RESPECTIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. ANY OF
    12  SUCH BOARDS WHEN ESTABLISHED, SHALL CONSIST OF A MINIMUM OF FIVE
    13  PERSONS AND A MAXIMUM OF NINE PERSONS.
    14     (B)  THE MEMBERS OF SUCH BOARDS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
    15  COMMISSIONERS OF SUCH COUNTY AND SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A TERM
    16  TO EXTEND NO LONGER THAN FIVE YEARS AND THE TERMS OF THE MEMBERS
    17  SHALL BE STAGGERED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT AT LEAST ONE EXPIRES
    18  ANNUALLY. MEMBERS OF SUCH BOARD SHALL SERVE WITHOUT PAY. [WOMEN
    19  SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT.] VACANCIES IN SUCH BOARD
    20  OCCURRING OTHERWISE THAN BY EXPIRATION OF TERM SHALL BE FOR THE
    21  UNEXPIRED TERM AND SHALL BE FILLED IN THE SAME MANNER AS
    22  ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS.
    23     SECTION 4 3.  SECTIONS 3005 AND 3006, SUBSECTION (A) OF        <--
    24  SECTION 3007 AND SECTION 3028 OF THE ACT ARE AMENDED TO READ:
    25     SECTION 3005.  JOINT ACTION.--THE COUNTY AUTHORIZED BY THIS
    26  ACT TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY FOR AND OPERATE AND MAINTAIN ANY
    27  FAIRGROUNDS, PARKS, PARKWAYS, BRIDLE PATHS, HORSE SHOW RINGS,
    28  FOOT PATHS, PLAYGROUNDS, PLAYFIELDS, GYMNASIUMS, PUBLIC BATHS,
    29  SWIMMING POOLS OR INDOOR RECREATION CENTERS MAY ACQUIRE PROPERTY
    30  FOR SUCH PURPOSES, AND OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE SAME JOINTLY
    19810S0254B2178                  - 4 -

     1  WITH ANY OTHER COUNTY OR ANY CITY, BOROUGH, TOWNSHIP OR SCHOOL
     2  DISTRICT.
     3     SECTION 3006.  INDEBTEDNESS.--THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY
     4  ISSUE BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING LANDS OR BUILDINGS FOR
     5  FAIRGROUNDS, PARKS, PARKWAYS, BRIDLE PATHS, HORSE SHOW RINGS,
     6  FOOT PATHS, PLAYGROUNDS, PLAYFIELDS, GYMNASIUMS, PUBLIC BATHS,
     7  SWIMMING POOLS OR INDOOR RECREATION CENTERS, AND FOR THE
     8  EQUIPMENT THEREOF.
     9     SECTION 3007.  PAYMENT OF EXPENSES; TAXATION; ANNUAL FAIRS;
    10  STATE CONTRIBUTIONS.--(A)  ALL EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE
    11  OPERATION OF SUCH FAIRGROUNDS, PARKS, PARKWAYS, BRIDLE PATHS,
    12  HORSE SHOW RINGS, FOOT PATHS, PLAYGROUNDS, PLAYFIELDS,
    13  GYMNASIUMS, SWIMMING POOLS, PUBLIC BATHS AND INDOOR RECREATION
    14  CENTERS, ESTABLISHED AS HEREIN PROVIDED, SHALL BE PAYABLE FROM
    15  THE TREASURY OF SUCH COUNTY. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY
    16  ANNUALLY APPROPRIATE AND CAUSE TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION SUCH
    17  TAX, NOT TO EXCEED TWO MILLS ON THE DOLLAR OF THE ASSESSED
    18  VALUATION OF TAXABLE PROPERTY IN SUCH COUNTY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
    19  MAINTAINING AND OPERATING SUCH FAIRGROUNDS, PARKS, PARKWAYS,
    20  BRIDLE PATHS, HORSE SHOW RINGS, FOOT PATHS, PLAYGROUNDS,
    21  PLAYFIELDS, GYMNASIUMS, PUBLIC BATHS, SWIMMING POOLS AND
    22  RECREATION CENTERS.
    23     * * *
    24     Section 3028.  Improvements in Parks.--The county
    25  commissioners shall have the power to govern, manage, operate,
    26  lay out, plant and ornament the said public parks, and to
    27  maintain the same in good order and repair, and to construct all
    28  proper bridges, buildings, roadways, lakes, golf courses,
    29  playgrounds, horse riding trails BRIDLE PATHS, horse show rings   <--
    30  and other improvements therein, and to make rules and
    19810S0254B2178                  - 5 -

     1  regulations for the conduct of the patrons thereof, and to
     2  repress all disorders therein, under the provisions hereinafter
     3  contained.
     4     Section 2 5 4.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.         <--


















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