Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility House passes Borowski bill to simplify rules for ordinances adopted by townships

House passes Borowski bill to simplify rules for ordinances adopted by townships

Rep. Lisa Borowski    March 27, 2025 | 3:15 PM

HARRISBURG, March 26 – The PA House today passed legislation authored by state Rep. Lisa Borowski that would create consistency across the commonwealth regarding ordinances adopted by townships, and give them more flexibility by allowing second-class townships to adopt ordinances with an immediate effective date.

Current Pennsylvania law stipulates that second-class townships must wait five days for a new ordinance to take effect. Under H.B. 209, township supervisors would still be permitted to pick a later effective date if it better meets their community’s needs.

“This is homegrown legislation that provides a simple fix to a pervasive issue brought to my attention by Newtown Township Supervisor Leonard Altieri,” Borowski said. “The current five-day restriction is unique to second-class townships, which are our most common local government type in Pennsylvania, and it hinders their governing effectiveness. It makes sense to bring their regulations in line with those for first and third-class townships. Now it’s on the Senate to take up this bill and help us get it to Gov. Shapiro’s desk.”

“This is exactly how our government is supposed to work. An issue was identified, I reached out to Rep. Borowski, and she wasted no time in drafting and championing a solution that benefits townships across the commonwealth. Thanks to her dedication and commitment to good governance, second-class townships are a step closer to operating with greater efficiency, clarity, and consistency — just as our communities deserve,” Altieri said. “The overwhelming bipartisan support for H.B. 209 is a testament to Rep. Borowski’s ability to bring people together to solve real problems. Her leadership ensures that local governments have the tools they need to serve their residents effectively.”

Pennsylvania has more than 1,400 second-class townships, which are home to 44% of its population. Like other local governments, they enjoy the ability to tailor their local ordinances to their communities’ needs.

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