Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB862

Introduced
6/19/25  

Caption

In vacancies in office, further providing for filling vacancies in elective borough offices.

Impact

If enacted, SB 862 will have significant implications for local governance in Pennsylvania. It aims to increase the efficiency of filling elective offices within boroughs, which can often be stalled due to inaction or failure by local councils. The establishment of a structured procedure ensures that local governance remains intact, providing a quicker resolution to vacancies that could otherwise leave boroughs without representation. Consequently, this could lead to more responsive governance for borough residents as legislative and local council matters can be addressed without prolonged gaps in leadership.

Summary

Senate Bill 862 aims to amend the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes concerning the process for filling vacancies in elective borough offices. The bill introduces several changes to streamline this process, particularly in situations where local councils are unable to fill vacancies. Under the proposed legislation, if the borough council fails to fill a vacancy within 30 days, a vacancy board is mandated to convene within an additional 15 days to address the issue. This board consists of the council members and a registered elector from the borough. Furthermore, the bill stipulates conditions under which the court of common pleas may step in to fill vacancies if certain criteria are met, such as if the vacancy board cannot fulfill its duties.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 862 reflects a general consensus on the need for a more efficient system to manage vacancies, with support from various local governance advocates who believe the bill would enhance the function of borough councils. However, there could also be concerns regarding the potential loss of local control if the state mandates how vacancies are handled, suggesting that while the efficiency of the process is welcomed, some stakeholders fear it may dilute local decision-making power.

Contention

One notable point of contention may arise from who holds the authority to fill vacancies. Critics argue that while the new provisions enhance efficiency, they could diminish local councils' autonomy. Debates might center around whether the involvement of the vacancy board and the court of common pleas properly reflects the will of the local electorate, especially in politically charged environments where council decisions may be influenced by partisan dynamics. Despite these concerns, proponents emphasize that the primary goal of SB 862 is to ensure that boroughs are consistently represented and that local governance is not compromised by indecision.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB1131

In vacancies in office, further providing for filling vacancies in elective borough offices.

PA HB2165

In vacancies in office, further providing for filling vacancies in elective borough offices.

PA SB1119

In election of officers and vacancies in office, further providing for vacancies in general.

PA HB2160

In election of officers and vacancies in office, further providing for vacancies in general.

PA HB2449

In election of officers and vacancies in office, further providing for vacancies in general.

PA SB1289

In election of officers and vacancies in office, further providing for vacancies in general.

PA HB275

In district election officers, providing for master list of prospective clerks of election and for clerk of election vacancies and further providing for vacancies in election boards, appointment, judge and majority inspector to be members of majority party and minority inspector to be member of minority party.

PA HB36

In district election officers, further providing for election officers to be sworn; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator, for affidavits of candidates, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers, for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath, for affidavits of candidates, for filling of certain vacancies in public office by means of nomination certificates and nomination papers and for substituted nominations to fill certain vacancies for a November election; in ballots, further providing for form of ballots and printing ballots; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of computing irregular ballots; and replacing references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge."

PA SB287

In district election officers, further providing for election officers to be sworn; in dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator, for affidavits of candidates, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers, for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath, for affidavits of candidates, for filling of certain vacancies in public office by means of nomination certificates and nomination papers and for substituted nominations to fill certain vacancies for a November election; in ballots, further providing for form of ballots and printing ballots; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of computing irregular ballots; and replacing references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge."

PA HB2700

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions and for publication of notices; in the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for Voting Standards Development Board and for State Plan Advisory Board; in county boards of elections, further providing for article heading, for county boards of elections and membership, for powers and duties of county boards, for records and documents to be open to public inspection and proviso and for watchers or attorneys at sessions of county board, candidates may be present; In district election officers, further providing for article heading, for district election boards and election, for tie votes for judge and inspector, for clerks of election and machine inspectors, for vacancies in election boards, appointment, judge and majority inspector to be members of majority party and minority inspector to be a member of minority party, for election officers to be sworn, for compensation of district election officers, for overseers of election and for appointment of watchers; in election districts and polling places, further providing for polling places to be selected by county board;

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.