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The Senate approved a bill sponsored by Senator Scott Martin (R-13) that includes emergency measures to help local governments respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

I had previously posted the PA House of Representatives approved an amendment to an existing Bill, that the Senate chose not to vote on.

While the Office of Open Records has already given guidance that remote meetings can be conducted and still be in compliance with the Sunshine Law under the conditions of a pandemic, municipalities and public agencies have been requesting lawmakers provide unquestioned approval.

The Senate’s Bill now goes to the House. If approved without changes, it will require Gov. Wolf’s signature.

Senate Bill 841 would take a number of steps to ensure local governments can continue to operate during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill would:

• Allow local governments to provide greater flexibility on property tax deadlines.
• Permit local governments to conduct remote meetings.
• Give notaries emergency authorization to notarize documents remotely through the use of communications technology.

Under the bill, local governments would be authorized to extend deadlines for property tax discount rates to any date up until August 31. The legislation would also allow local governments to waive any fee or penalty for late payments of property taxes if paid in full by the end of the year. The provisions give local taxing bodies more flexibility to help local taxpayers who are struggling financially due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Senate Bill 841 also extends the ability of notaries to conduct business remotely in order to meet the needs of local governments and individuals. A notary public would still be required to confirm an individual’s identity and reasonably identify records, and an audio/visual recording of the notarial act and all related interactions would be required.

The legislation would allow members of local governments to participate in meetings and conduct other business remotely during the governor’s disaster declaration. Additional requirements are included to ensure transparency of remote meetings, including provisions for public notice and posting minutes.