PRINTER'S NO. 784
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
797
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY HEFFLEY, RYAN, T. DAVIS, JAMES, MILLARD AND
HERSHEY, MARCH 8, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MARCH 8, 2021
AN ACT
Amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in municipal authorities, further
providing for purposes and powers.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5607(b) of Title 53 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a paragraph to read:
ยง 5607. Purposes and powers.
* * *
(b) Limitations.--This section is subject to the following
limitations:
* * *
(4) An authority located in a third class home rule
county that owns property in a sixth class county for
purposes of watershed management under section 5615 (relating
to acquisition of lands, water and water rights) may not
develop the property without approval of the residents of the
municipality in which the watershed is located and which
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approval must be granted through a referendum. At the request
of the authority, the municipal government shall place a
ballot question on the next general election. The question
shall read: Are you in favor of (insert authority name here)
developing the watershed property they own located in (insert
name of municipal body) for the purpose of (explanation of
project). If the referendum is approved, the authority may
proceed with the project. If the referendum fails, the
authority may not proceed with the project and may not
request a ballot initiative again on the matter for five
years.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20210HB0797PN0784 - 2 -
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