THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY FARNESE, FOLMER, RAFFERTY, FONTANA, ORIE AND WAUGH, MAY 11, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MAY 11, 2009  

AN ACT

Amending Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

Statutes, providing for additional public meeting procedures.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Title 4 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

is amended by adding a section to read:

§ 1202.2.  Additional public meeting procedures.

In addition to the provisions of 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating

to open meetings), the board shall, prior to taking official

action, provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised

regular meeting and advertised special or emergency meeting for

Commonwealth residents to comment on matters of concern or on

official action or deliberation on issues which are or may be

before the board. The board has the option to accept all public

comment at the beginning of the meeting. If the board determines

that there is not sufficient time at a meeting for residents of

the Commonwealth to comment, the board may defer the comment

period to the next regular meeting or to a special meeting

occurring in advance of the next regular meeting. The board may,

in its discretion, set reasonable time limits on an individual's

comments.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.