PSATS Legislative Agenda and Policies

PSATS supports local governments working with broadband providers and other stakeholders to ensure the safe and orderly deployment of wired and wireless broadband services throughout the commonwealth.

Township officials must be included in legislative discussions centered around agricultural activities. PSATS opposes legislation that would preempt local control of zoning and land use.

Agriculture Policy Statement

PSATS believes that all new mandates on sewage treatment and drinking water systems must be accompanied by sufficient funding so that municipalities and their ratepayers and taxpayers are not overburdened.

Sewage and Water Policy Statement

PSATS Testimony on Act 26 of 2017 & Act 34 of 2020 (4-27-21)

PSATS Comments to PUC on Water and Wastewater Facilities (7-15-20)

PSATS Comments on DEP Onlot Sewage Proposed Guidance (4-20-18)

PSATS Comments to IRRC on WQM Fees (5-14-21)

A commonsense approach to stormwater management is needed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Pa. Department of Environmental Protection.

Solid Waste and Recycling Policy Statement

Stormwater Policy Statement

PSATS Testimony on Stream-Cleaning (4-25-22)

PSATS Comments on Draft Water Plan (9-19-22)

PSATS Comments on Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (1-21-21)

PSATS testimony on Stormwater Fees and MS4 (6-5-19)
PSATS testimony on Stormwater Management (6-19-19)
PSATS testimony on MS4s and Compliance (6-13-22)
PSATS Testimony on Stream-Cleaning (4-25-22)

PSATS supports the public’s right to know, however out-of-state commercial requests and repeated request from individuals cost staff time and money. The Association believes reforms can protect taxpayer funds without limiting public access to records. Additionally, Townships should be able to place legal ads on websites and in mass-circulation papers to take advantage of electronic sources for real-time information and save money.

Government Transparency Policy Statement

PSATS Testimony on Legal Advertising (5-26-21)

PSATS Letter to Senate State Government Committee in Support of SB525 (04-26-24)

PSATS Comments to PUC on Proposed Changes to Act 12 (03-18-24)

PSATS Testimony on the Right-to-Know Law (3-9-21)
PSATS Testimony on Right-to-Know Law Legislation (6-23-22)
PSATS Testimony on Meetings and COVID (9-13-21)

PSATS supports the ability of townships to manage growth through control of zoning, subdivision, and other land use decisions. PSATS believes these decisions cannot be made or vetoed by the county, state, or federal governments.

Growth and Development Policy Statement

PSATS Letter to House Local Government Committee on Statewide Zoning Mandates (05-20-24)

PSATS Testimony on Developments of Regional Significance (9-6-23)
PSATS Testimony on Small-Cell Wireless Facilities (6-12-19)
PSATS Testimony on Wireless Facilities (4-28-21)
PSATS Testimony on Solar Farms (5-25-21)

Reforms are needed to empower the courts to assess penalties against anyone who ties up the courts’ time by pressing a lawsuit that is determined to be frivolous.

Legal Reforms Policy Statement

Townships should be given more flexibility to levy real estate taxes at a millage rate sufficient to fund the actual cost of the service and should be given authority to levy special-purpose taxes for township services.  

PSATS Testimony on Revenue Lost from Tax Exempt Properties (4-29-24)

PSATS supports the natural gas impact fee. Roughly 60% of collected funds goes directly to communities impacted by drilling for a range of eligible projects.

Natural Gas Impact Fees Policy Statement

PSATS opposes legislation, including an amendment to the state constitution, that would diminish the critical role of municipalities by designating the county as the primary form of local government.

PSATS Testimony on Redistricting (7-22-21)

Volunteers are critical to providing emergency services to townships across the commonwealth. The commonwealth needs to do more to assist townships with an ever-growing list of emergency services and needs.

Emergency Management Policy Statement

PSATS supports options that allow local governments to work together to maximize the effective delivery for emergency services. PSATS would like to see the commonwealth develop and fund a plan to provide for recruitment and retention of volunteer emergency service providers.

Fire and Ambulance Service Policy Statement

PSATS Letter to Governor’s Office in Support of SB-1027 (10-31-22)

PSATS Letter to Governor’s Office in Support of HB-397 (10-31-22)

PSATS Letter to Senate on PTSI (5-30-24)

PSATS Comments on HB1632 – PTSI (04-29-24)

PSATS Testimony on Public Safety Authorities (10-12-21)
PSATS Testimony on EMS (3-1-22)

PSATS supports the use of radar and LIDAR for municipal police departments. Pennsylvania is the lone state in the union which prohibits the use of radar by municipal police departments.

Police Protection Policy Statement

PSATS supports legislation that would require the state and federal governments to provide funding sufficient to implement and administer any mandate it imposes on local government. Local government should not be threatened with the withholding of funds to force compliance with unfunded mandates.

Relief from Unfunded Mandates Policy Statement

PSATS Comments on Proposed Overtime Regulations (7-9-18) 

Joint Testimony on OSHA Legislation (5-20-21)
Joint Testimony on OSHA Legislation (3-20-23)
PSATS Testimony on OSHA Legislation (9-19-23)

A reliable, predictable funding method for local governments to properly maintain transportation systems is critical. PSATS believes the commonwealth needs to address lagging liquid fuels revenue due to more fuel-efficient vehicles and an increasing number of alternative fuel vehicles on roadways.

Transportation Policy Statement

PSATS Comments on PennDOT Pathways (6-1-21)

PSATS Comments on PennDOT Pathways (12-17-20)

PSATS Testimony on e-Delivery Services (7-21-20)

PSATS Testimony on Utility Cuts (9-6-23)
PSATS Testimony on Beneficial Use of Conventional Salt Brine (6-10-24)
PSATS Testimony on Road, Bridge, and Transit Investments (9-9-24)

PSATS addresses many topics that fall outside of the above topic areas that are important to and affect member townships.

PSATS Testimony on Cybersecurity (1-31-24)

PSATS Testimony on Consumer and Display Fireworks (9-24-19)
PSATS Testimony on Fireworks (12-15-21)

PSATS Testimony on Utility Services (5-11-21)

PSATS Testimony on 2023 Legislative Priorities (4-19-23)