Pennsylvania HB 2177: An Act amending Titles 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns), 11 (Cities) and 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in ordinances, further providing for publication; in council, further providing for publication of proposed ordinance; and, in county commissioners and chief clerks, further providing for ordinances and resolutions.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2832
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2177
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY FREEMAN, SAPPEY, SMITH-WADE-EL, JAMES AND
B. MILLER, JANUARY 30, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 30, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Titles 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns), 11 (Cities)
and 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes,
in ordinances, further providing for publication; in council,
further providing for publication of proposed ordinance; and,
in county commissioners and chief clerks, further providing
for ordinances and resolutions.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3301.2(a) and (b) heading of Title 8 of
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, amended March 8, 2024
(P.L.2, No.2), are amended and the section is amended by adding
subsections to read:
§ 3301.2. Publication.
(a) Requirements.--Except as provided under this part or
other law, council shall publish every proposed ordinance once
in one newspaper of general circulation no less than seven days
and no more than 60 days prior to the day when council shall
vote on the proposed ordinance. Publication of any proposed
ordinance shall include all of the following:
[(1) The full text or the title of the ordinance and a
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brief summary prepared by the borough solicitor setting forth
all the provisions in reasonable detail.]
(1) The full text of the proposed ordinance or the title
and a brief summary of the proposed ordinance. The brief
summary shall include a description of each of the following,
as applicable:
(i) An adoption, amendment or repeal of a tax, fee,
charge or assessment.
(ii) An adoption, amendment or repeal of a
regulation that provides for an offense or civil or
criminal penalty.
(iii) A provision or covenant that does one or more
of the following:
(A) Provides for the payment or disbursement of
funds for goods, services or contractual obligations.
(B) Restricts funds to a specific purpose or
obligation.
(C) Pledges funds for a specific purpose or
obligation.
(2) A reference to the borough office or other place
where [borough records are kept where] copies of the proposed
ordinance may be examined.
(3) A reference to the publicly accessible Internet
website, if any, where the full text of the proposed
ordinance may be examined.
(a.1) Legal sufficiency.--If a published summary is subject
to a legal challenge, a summary shall be legally sufficient if
the summary containing the information required under subsection
(a)(1) is made available for examination at the time of
publication in conformity with subsection (a)(2) and (3).
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(a.2) Land use ordinances.--Notwithstanding subsection (a)
(1), the requirements of this section shall not supersede the
publication or notification requirements of a proposed ordinance
under the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
(b) [Summary] Full text availability.--If the full text is
not included in the publication of the proposed ordinance, the
following shall apply:
* * *
Section 2. Section 11018.9(b)(1) of Title 11 is amended and
the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 11018.9. Publication of proposed ordinances.
* * *
(b) Contents.--
(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, the publication
of a proposed ordinance shall include [either:
(i) the full text; or
(ii) the title and a summary of the ordinance
setting forth the provisions in reasonable detail and a
reference to a place within the city where copies of the
proposed ordinance may be examined.] all of the
following:
(i) The full text of the proposed ordinance or the
title and a brief summary of the proposed ordinance. The
brief summary shall include a description of each of the
following, as applicable:
(A) An adoption, amendment or repeal of a tax,
fee, charge or assessment.
(B) An adoption, amendment or repeal of a
regulation that provides for an offense or civil or
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criminal penalty.
(C) A provision or covenant that does one or
more of the following:
(I) Provides for the payment or disbursement
of funds for goods, services or contractual
obligations.
(II) Restricts funds to a specific purpose
or obligation.
(III) Pledges funds for a specific purpose
or obligation.
(ii) A reference to the city office or other place
where copies of the proposed ordinance may be examined.
(iii) A reference to the publicly accessible
Internet website, if any, where the full text of the
proposed ordinances may be examined.
* * *
(b.1) Legal sufficiency.--If a published summary is subject
to a legal challenge, a summary shall be legally sufficient if
the summary containing the information required under subsection
(b)(1)(i) is made av