For Immediate Release
6/25/08

Committee Approves Bill to Promote Cooperative Efforts

Senator Regola's measure supports municipal authorities

The Senate Local Government Committee today (June 25) approved Senate Bill 1496, a measure introduced by Senator Bob Regola (R-39) and Senator John Pippy (R-37) that would help municipal authorities to work together.

Current state law allows municipalities to enter into intergovernmental cooperation agreements, but municipal authorities -- such as those overseeing water treatment plants or redevelopment efforts -- are not specifically mentioned in that authorization, said Sen. Regola.

"This legislation will specifically permit and encourage cooperation between municipal authorities," said Sen. Regola, Chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee.  "We have seen the benefits that local government can gain through cooperative arrangements.  By pooling their individual resources, they can collectively address many individual needs, while saving taxpayers' money at the same time."

This bill is a result of a hearing the Senate Local Government and Urban Affairs & Housing Committees held earlier this year on "Multi-Municipal Planning and Shared Services," said Sen. Pippy, Chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee.

"We have heard a number of recommendations to make government more efficient," said Sen. Pippy.  "Now, we need to move beyond reports and identify commonsense approaches, such as this legislation, to move forward."

In other actions, the Local Government Committee approved Senate Bill 884, legislation introduced by Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R-12) to place in state law a federal restriction on municipal regulation of amateur radio service communications and House Bill 1280, a measure sponsored by Representative Robert Freeman (D-136) that would amend the Municipalities Planning Code by further providing for Traditional Neighborhood Developments.

"Currently, there are over 700,000 U.S. amateur radio -- or 'ham'-- operators," said Sen. Regola.  "In major disasters, you can't always rely on cell phones.  Oftentimes, the last line of communications is our ham operators. They know how to build the networks and they know how to get information from one place to another when every other mode of communication has failed.  Simply put, ham operators warrant protection and as such, I am pleased to move this bill forward to place this federal rule into state law."

The three bills -- Senate Bill 884, Senate Bill 1496, and House Bill 1280 -- now proceed to the full Senate for consideration.
                     

Contact:

Nate Silcox     (Senator Regola)
(717) 787-6063
Greg Mahon   (Senator Pippy)
(717) 787-5839

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