Bill > SB847

This bill amends Pennsylvania's borough election vacancy procedures to provide more clarity and structure for filling elected positions when they become vacant. The bill changes the process for resignations by specifying that a resignation is not official until accepted by a majority vote of the council at a public meeting, or after 45 days if not explicitly accepted. For vacancies, the borough council must now attempt to fill the position within 30 days, and if they fail, a vacancy board (composed of council members and one additional registered elector) must fill the position within 15 days. If the vacancy board cannot fill the position, the board chair must petition the court of common pleas to appoint a replacement. The bill also clarifies that the replacement must be a registered elector who has lived in the borough continuously for at least one year, and will serve until the next municipal election where an eligible individual can be elected to complete the term. Additionally, the bill provides a mechanism for filling vacancies if more than half of the council positions are vacant, allowing either 15 registered electors or remaining council members to petition the court of common pleas to fill the positions. The new provisions aim to ensure continuity of local government and provide a clear, structured process for addressing unexpected departures from elected borough offices.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=847