April 11, 2024

4-Bill Package to Reform Act 12 Acquisitions Advances

This week the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee reported out four bills (sponsored by Representative Matzie), to reform Act 12. The bills were amended in committee and advanced to the full House for consideration. 

• HB 1862 - imposes new and enhanced public notification and participation requirements on the purchaser and the seller of the system.
• HB 1863 - eliminated the six-month evaluation period for acquisitions.
• HB 1864 - requires any rate increase after an acquisition to be incorporated into the rate base over three separate base rate cases.
• HB 1865 - caps any purchase price for a system at 125% of the depreciated original cost.

>>Chairman Matzie's press release

>>Committee Report

EPA Announces Final PFAS Drinking Water Standards

Click here for factsheets and a pre-publication version of the rule which will be published in the Federal Register soon.

Komar Honored with Local Government Award

Melissa Komar, Executive Director of the Johnstown Regional Sewage and Johnstown Redevelopment Authority, and past president of PMAA, was recently recognized with a Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence during a ceremony in Harrisburg. The awards, presented each year during "Local Government Week," honor Pennsylvania local government leaders in recognition of exceptional dedication to improving public services.

The Authority April Edition

The April issue of The Authority is in the mail!

Be sure to check out:

• Latest on solid waste management trends and practices
• Authorities’ Earth Day Celebrations in their communities
• Solicitor’s Corner – Authority board member responsibilities
• PMAA testimony on Act 12 to the Senate Democratic Policy Committee and article covering the Committee hearing

Check out all our recent issues!

Welcome New PMAA Members!

Authority Members

Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority

Laurel Highlands Municipal Authority

Orwigsburg Municipal Authority

Associate Members

Dan Behm, Farrell Roofing

Michael Korns, Babst Calland

Keith Reynolds, Reynolds Business Systems, Inc.

Kristina Tarbell, EHD

Do you know someone who would like to join?

Check out our member benefits or contact Mandi Glantz at glantz@municipalauthorities.org.

Don't forget to register for these upcoming events:

Management Workshop Series

• April 17 in Hershey, PA (EAST)
• April 25 in Champion, PA (WEST)

Regional Meetings

• April 25 - Region 1 at PineCrest Country Club
• April 25 - Region 5 at Clinton Country Club
• May 9 - Region 10 at Remo's Catering
• May 16 - Region 2/3 at Wyoming Valley Country Club
• May 16 - Region 7 at Elk Country Visitor Center
• May 23 - Region 6 at The Willow

Summer Webinar Series

• May 8 - Tapping Fees (1 CLE; 1 PDH)
• May 22 - The Art and Science of Rate Making (1 CLE; 1 PDH)
• May 29 - Public Water Supply Assistance Program - Saving you Time and Money (Members only)
• June 26 - How to Recognize and Stop Financial Fraudsters
• July 10 - Plant Optimization Strategies (1 PDH)
• July 24 - How to "Bake" a Bond Issue - Have Your Cake and Eat it Too, When You Learn the Recipe for Bond Financing

2024 PMAA Annual Conference and Trade Show, September 15 - 18

Annual Conference Awards Applications

It is time to start thinking about nominees for authority service awards, the William H. Markus Award, and the Municipal Authority Community Engagement Award. Awards will be presented during the annual banquet and award ceremony at PMAA's Annual Conference in September.

• Markus Award - submit by June 15
• Municipal Authority Community Engagement Award - submit by July 1
• Sahli and Extended Service Awards - submit by July 31



See all award categories and criteria.

Exhibitor, Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities!

Exhibit, advertising and sponsorship opportunities (PDF) are available for PMAA's premier event - the Annual Conference and Trade Show, being held this September in Hershey, PA.

Exhibit booth space is available on a first-come, first-served basis to industry professionals and those offering products and services to Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities specifically targeting water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste and recycling, airports, transit and parking, redevelopment and community projects.

Secure your booth space now!