Bill > HB2146

This bill amends Pennsylvania law regarding public meetings to clarify when an agency can take official action on matters not previously listed on its public notice or agenda. Specifically, it expands the exceptions to the requirement of prior notification for agency business, allowing agencies to act on certain matters that arise within 24 hours of a meeting if they are de minimis and do not involve significant financial commitments. It also introduces a new category for "minor administrative approvals," which can be acted upon if they would cause hardship if delayed and fall into specific categories such as certain personnel actions after an executive session, time-sensitive legal filings, small purchasing and bill approvals below a certain threshold for property damage mitigation or auction purchases, grant applications with imminent deadlines, small borrowing or tax anticipation note paperwork previously approved, and minor permit approvals for sewer modules. Before taking action on these minor administrative approvals, the agency must obtain a written opinion from its solicitor or chief legal counsel confirming the item falls under this exception, and this opinion must be publicly disclosed at the meeting. The bill also requires that any changes to an agenda, including adding items under these new exceptions, must be announced at the meeting before a vote is taken, and the amended agenda must be posted online or at the agency's office by the next business day.