HARRISBURG – The Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Cris Dush (R-25), reported out of committee House Bill 1591, which would amend the County Code to delay impacts of census-based county class changes.
House Bill 1591 (Rep. Knowles) would cause every county to maintain its current classification regardless of population changes reflected in the 2020 census unless a county specifically chooses to change its classification.
“Delays in the release of the 2020 census data and difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic present administrative challenges for counties that would experience a classification change this year,” said Dush. “This legislation as amended freezes classifications while giving counties the ability to opt into a change if they so choose.”
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) supports, and assisted the bi-partisan, bi-cameral Local Government Commission in the development of, this legislation.
CONTACT: Zachary Ankeny, zankeny@pasen.gov