The Pennsylvania Senate approved Tuesday legislation that includes emergency measures to help local governments respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Bill 841, sponsored by Sen. Scott Martin (R-13th District), would implement steps to ensure local governments operate adequately during the current public health emergency.
The first step under the legislation would allow greater flexibility on property tax deadlines for those taxpayers struggling financially due to COVID-19. Local governments would be able to extend deadlines for property tax discount rates to any date up until Aug. 31, allowing them to waive any fee or penalty for late payments of property taxes if paid in full by the end of the year.
Notaries would also be allowed to conduct business remotely under extended provisions outlined in the legislation to meet local government and individual needs. A notary public would still be required to confirm an individual’s identity and an audio/visual recording of the notarial act and related interactions would also be required.
Additionally, Senate Bill 481 would allow local governments to hold meetings and conduct other business remotely, maintaining social distancing guidelines laid out by Gov. Tom Wolf and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lastly, the legislation also reauthorizes the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, which is responsible for collecting and analyzing data about the cost and quality of health care in the Commonwealth. Under the bill, the panel would prepare a report on the effect of the COVID-19 crisis on healthcare facilities, including expenses and lost revenue during the crisis to determine additional financial assistance.
Senate Bill 481 was referred to the House Rules Committee Tuesday upon approval from the Senate.