reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
53 PA Cons Stat § 736 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 7 - Alteration of Territory or Corporate Entity and Dissolution|Section 736 - Conduct of referenda

§ 736. Conduct of referenda.   (a) Duty to place on ballot.--Following initiation of proceedings for consolidation or merger by the procedures set forth either in section 734 (relating to joint agreement of governing bodies) or 735 (relating to initiative of electors seeking consolidation or merger without new home rule charter), the question of consolidation or merger as set forth in the joint agreement or initiative petition shall be placed before the electors of each of the municipalities proposed to be consolidated or merged. A referendum shall be held at the first primary, municipal or general election occurring at least 13 weeks after either: (1) the date of the general agreement entered into under the provisions of section 734; or (2) the date of filing of the petition filed under the provisions of section 735.  (a.1) Referenda under section 735.1.--Referenda authorized under section 735.1 (relating to initiative of electors seeking consolidation or merger with new home rule charter) shall be placed on the ballot in accordance with section 735.1(d)(3) and (s).  (b) Approval.--Pursuant to sections 734, 735 and 735.1, consolidation or merger shall not be effective unless the referendum question is approved by a majority of the electors voting in each of the municipalities in which the referendum is held. If in any one of the municipalities in which the referendum is held a majority vote in favor of consolidation or merger does not result, the referendum shall fail and consolidation or merger shall not take place. The same question in accordance with sections 734 or 735, or the same question described in the proposal for consolidation or merger with a new home rule charter in accordance with section 735.1, described in the consolidation or merger proposal shall not be voted on again for a period of five years.  (c) Subsequent referenda.--The five-year moratorium on voting the same consolidation or merger question as provided in subsection (b) shall be deemed not to apply to any subsequent referendum question involving a consolidation or merger of any combination of two or more contiguous municipalities if the referendum question differs or is dissimilar in any way from a previous referendum question which was not approved as provided for in subsection (b).  (Oct. 23, 2003, P.L.180, No.29, eff. 60 days)    Cross References. Section 736 is referred to in section 741 of this title.
53 PA Cons Stat § 738 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 7 - Alteration of Territory or Corporate Entity and Dissolution|Section 738 - Effectuation of consolidation or merger

§ 738. Effectuation of consolidation or merger.  Municipalities consolidated or merged shall continue to be governed as before consolidation or merger until the date stipulated in the transitional plan and schedule provided for in sections 734 (relating to joint agreement of governing bodies) and 737 (relating to consolidation or merger agreement), or the transitional plan provided for by a study commission pursuant to section 735.1 (relating to initiative of electors seeking consolidation or merger with new home rule charter). Subject to the provisions of section 735.1(q), new officials required to be elected shall take office on the first Monday of January following the municipal election designated in the transitional plan and schedule. At that municipal election, the necessary officers of the consolidated or merged municipality shall be elected in accordance with the terms of the general law affecting municipalities of the kind or class of the consolidated or merged municipality or, in case of a consolidated or merged municipality operating under a home rule charter or optional plan of government, in accordance with the charter or optional plan or with general law affecting home rule or optional plan municipalities, as applicable. The officers elected at that municipal election shall be elected for terms of office under the plan and schedule set forth in the consolidation or merger agreement authorized by section 734 or 737, or the transitional plan provided for by a commission pursuant to section 735.1, as the case may be. They shall take office as officers of the consolidated or merged municipality on the first Monday of January following the municipal election at which they were elected, and upon assumption of office, the consolidated or merged municipality shall begin to function and the former municipalities consolidated or merged into it shall be abolished.  (Oct. 23, 2003, P.L.180, No.29, eff. 60 days)    Cross References. Section 738 is referred to in sections 734, 735.1, 737 of this title.
53 PA Cons Stat § 739 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 7 - Alteration of Territory or Corporate Entity and Dissolution|Section 739 - Effect of transition on employees of consolidated or merged municipality

§ 739. Effect of transition on employees of consolidated or merged municipality.   (a) Transition.--As of the date when a consolidated or merged municipality shall begin to function, except for those officers and employees which are protected by any tenure of office, civil service provisions or collective bargaining agreement, all appointive offices and positions then existing in all former municipalities involved in the consolidation or merger shall be subject to the terms of the consolidation or merger agreement or transitional plan as provided for in section 735.1 (relating to initiative of electors seeking consolidation or merger with new home rule charter). Provisions shall be made for instances in which there is duplication of positions, including, but not limited to, chief of police or manager, and for other matters such as varying length of employee contracts, different civil service regulations in the constituent municipalities and differing ranks and position classifications for similar positions.  (b) Exception.--Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to a consolidated or merged municipality if one or more of the consolidating or merging municipalities has been declared distressed under the act of July 10, 1987 (P.L.246, No.47), known as the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act. In such case, the provisions of section 408 of that act shall control.  (Oct. 23, 2003, P.L.180, No.29, eff. 60 days)    2003 Amendment. Act 29 amended subsec. (a).
53 PA Cons Stat § 740 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 7 - Alteration of Territory or Corporate Entity and Dissolution|Section 740 - Procedures

§ 740. Procedures.   (a) Ordinance book.--After consolidation becomes effective, a new ordinance book shall be used by the municipality, and, except for a municipality consolidated or merged under section 735.1 (relating to initiative of electors seeking consolidation or merger with new home rule charter), the first document to be recorded in it shall be the consolidation agreement.  (b) Ordinance codification.--No later than two years after consolidation goes into effect, codification of all the ordinances of the municipality shall be completed. The codification shall include tabulation or indexing of those ordinances of the component municipalities that are of permanent effect in the consolidated municipality.  (c) Vesting of rights, privileges, property and obligations.--All rights, privileges and franchises of each component municipality and all property belonging to each component municipality shall be vested in the consolidated or merged municipality. The title to real estate vested in any of those municipalities shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the consolidation or merger. All liens and rights of creditors shall be preserved. Agreements and contracts shall remain in force. Debts, liabilities and duties of each of the municipalities shall be attached to the consolidated or merged municipality and may be enforced against it.  (Oct. 23, 2003, P.L.180, No.29, eff. 60 days)    2003 Amendment. Act 29 amended subsec. (a).  Cross References. Section 740 is referred to in section 735.1 of this title.
53 PA Cons Stat § 741 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 7 - Alteration of Territory or Corporate Entity and Dissolution|Section 741 - Court review of transitional plan

§ 741. Court review of transitional plan.   (a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), after the approval of a referendum pursuant to section 736 (relating to conduct of referenda), any person who is a resident of a municipality to be consolidated or merged may petition the court of common pleas to order the appropriate municipal governing bodies to: (1) implement the terms of a transitional plan and schedule adopted pursuant to section 734 (relating to joint agreement of governing bodies) or 737 (relating to consolidation or merger agreement); or (2) adopt or amend a transitional plan or schedule if the court finds that the failure to do so will result in the unreasonable perpetuation of the separate forms and classifications of government existing in the affected municipalities prior to the approval of the referendum.  (b) Exception.--After consolidation or merger pursuant to section 735.1 (relating to initiative of electors seeking consolidation or merger with new home rule charter), any person who is a resident of the newly consolidated or merged municipality may petition the court of common pleas to order the governing body of that municipality to act to accept or provide alternatives to the recommendations of the commission in accordance with section 735.1(k)(3)(iii).  (Oct. 23, 2003, P.L.180, No.29, eff. 60 days)
53 PA Cons Stat § 901 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 9 - Municipal Reapportionment|Section 901 - Short title and scope of chapter

§ 901. Short title and scope of chapter. (a) Short title of chapter.--This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Municipal Reapportionment Act.  (b) Scope of chapter.--This chapter applies to the following entities:  (1) Municipalities. (2) Units of government created and existing under Subpart E of Part III (relating to home rule and optional plan government).  (3) Similar general purpose units of local government created by statute.
53 PA Cons Stat § 902 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 9 - Municipal Reapportionment|Section 902 - Definitions

§ 902. Definitions.  The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:  "District." Includes a ward whenever wards are used as a subdivision for the election of members of the governing body.  "Governing body." A board of county commissioners, city council, borough council, incorporated town council, board of township commissioners or board of township supervisors, the governing council of any unit of government created and existing under Subpart E of Part III (relating to home rule and optional plan government) or the governing council of any similar general purpose unit of government created by statute.
53 PA Cons Stat § 903 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 9 - Municipal Reapportionment|Section 903 - Reapportionment by governing body

§ 903. Reapportionment by governing body. (a) General rule.--Within the year following that in which the Federal census, decennial or special, is officially and finally reported and at such other times as the governing body deems necessary, each entity having a governing body not entirely elected at large shall be reapportioned into districts by its governing body. The governing body shall number the districts.  (b) Composition of districts.--Districts shall be composed of compact and contiguous territory as nearly equal in population as practicable as officially and finally reported in the most recent Federal census, decennial or special.    Cross References. Section 903 is referred to in sections 906, 2941 of this title; section 10403.2 of Title 11 (Cities).
53 PA Cons Stat § 904 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 9 - Municipal Reapportionment|Section 904 - Reapportionment by court upon petition

§ 904. Reapportionment by court upon petition.   (a) Petition.--If there has not been a reapportionment by the governing body within the year following that in which the Federal census, decennial or special, is officially and finally reported, a petition signed by one or more electors who are residents of the entity may be submitted to the court of common pleas which may then reapportion in accordance with this chapter.  (b) Appointment of commissioners.--Upon receiving the petition to reapportion, the court may appoint three impartial persons as commissioners.  (c) Report to court.--The commissioners appointed by the court or any two of them shall make a report to the court within the time the court directs and shall include with it a plot showing the boundaries of the present districts and a plot showing the districts as proposed by them, along with pertinent information relating to population and area of the proposed districts.  (d) Action on report.--Upon presentation, the court shall confirm the report nisi and shall direct that notice of the filing of the report shall be given by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation stating that exceptions may be filed to the report within 30 days after the report was filed. If no exceptions are filed or if the court dismisses the exceptions, the court shall confirm the report absolutely and issue a decree. The court in its decree shall designate a number for each of the districts.    Cross References. Section 904 is referred to in section 906 of this title.
53 PA Cons Stat § 905 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 9 - Municipal Reapportionment|Section 905 - Compensation of commissioners and payment of costs

§ 905. Compensation of commissioners and payment of costs.   (a) Compensation of commissioners.--The commissioners appointed by the court shall each receive compensation for their services as the court shall fix.  (b) Payment of costs and expenses.--All cost and expenses incurred in the proceedings to reapportion shall be paid by the entity.
53 PA Cons Stat § 906 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 9 - Municipal Reapportionment|Section 906 - Contest of reapportionment by governing body

§ 906. Contest of reapportionment by governing body. (a) General rule.--In the event there has been a reapportionment by the governing body pursuant to section 903(a) (relating to reapportionment by governing body) or 904 (relating to reapportionment by court upon petition), the reapportionment may be contested as not being in compliance with the criteria for reapportionment as set forth in section 903(b).  (b) Petition to court.--In order to contest a reapportionment, a petition signed by ten electors who are residents of the entity shall be submitted to the court of common pleas.  (c) Action on petition.--The court shall review the reapportionment plan and either accept the reapportionment plan and dismiss the petition or reject the reapportionment plan and return it to the local governing body for correction and resubmission to the court.  (d) Appointment of commissioners.--If the court sets the reapportionment aside, the court may appoint three impartial persons as commissioners.  (e) Report to court.--The commissioners appointed by the court or any two of them shall make a report to the court within the time the court directs and shall include with it a plot showing the boundaries of the present districts and a plot showing the districts as proposed by them, along with pertinent information relating to population and area of the proposed districts.  (f) Action on report.--Upon presentation, the court shall confirm the report nisi and shall direct that notice of the filing of the report shall be given by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation stating that exceptions may be filed to the report within 30 days after the report was filed. If no exceptions are filed or if the court dismisses the exceptions, the court shall confirm the report absolutely and issue a decree. The court in its decree shall designate a number for each of the districts.    Cross References. Section 906 is referred to in section 907 of this title; section 602 of Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns); section 10401.1 of Title 11 (Cities).
53 PA Cons Stat § 907 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 9 - Municipal Reapportionment|Section 907 - Costs and expenses of contest

§ 907. Costs and expenses of contest. (a) General rule.--All cost and expenses incurred in a proceeding described in section 906 (relating to contest of reapportionment by governing body) challenging a reapportionment shall be paid by the entity or the petitioners as the court directs, but, if the court reapportions the entity, the costs and expenses shall be paid by the entity.  (b) Bond to secure payment.--If a reapportionment is challenged by petition as described in section 906, the petitioners may be required to post a bond set by the court to secure the payment of costs and expenses.    Cross References. Section 907 is referred to in section 602 of Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns); section 10401.1 of Title 11 (Cities).
53 PA Cons Stat § 908 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 9 - Municipal Reapportionment|Section 908 - Retention in office and new elections

§ 908. Retention in office and new elections.   (a) Retention of existing members in office.--The members of the governing body in office at the time of the reapportionment shall retain their offices until the end of their respective terms.  (b) Election of members following reapportionment.--The election of members of the governing body under the reapportionment shall be held in accordance with law relating to the entity and the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code.
53 PA Cons Stat § 1121 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|Section 1121 - Scope of subchapter

§ 1121. Scope of subchapter.  This subchapter applies to all political subdivisions.
53 PA Cons Stat § 1122 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|Section 1122 - Establishment and designation

§ 1122. Establishment and designation.  Whenever, due to an emergency resulting from the effects of enemy attack or the anticipated effects of a threatened enemy attack, it becomes imprudent, inexpedient or impossible to conduct the affairs of local government at the regular or usual place, the governing body of each political subdivision of this Commonwealth may meet at any place within or without the territorial limits of the political subdivision. The meeting may be held on the call of the presiding officer or any two members of the governing body and shall proceed to establish and designate, by ordinance, resolution or other manner, alternate or substitute sites or places as the emergency temporary location or locations of government where all or any part of the public business may be transacted and conducted during the emergency situation. These sites or places may be within or without the territorial limits of the political subdivision and may be within or without this Commonwealth.
53 PA Cons Stat § 1123 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|Section 1123 - Exercise of powers and functions

§ 1123. Exercise of powers and functions.  During the period when the public business is being conducted at the emergency temporary location or locations, the governing body and other officers of a political subdivision of this Commonwealth shall exercise at the location or locations all of the executive, legislative and judicial powers and functions conferred upon the governing body and officers by law. These powers and functions may be exercised in the light of the exigencies of the emergency situation without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law and pertaining to them, and all acts of the governing body and officers shall be as valid and binding as if performed within the territorial limits of their political subdivision.
53 PA Cons Stat § 1124 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|Section 1124 - Applicability of subchapter

§ 1124. Applicability of subchapter.  The provisions of this subchapter shall control, in the event it shall be employed, notwithstanding any statutory charter or ordinance provision to the contrary or in conflict with this subchapter.
53 PA Cons Stat § 1131 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|Section 1131 - Scope of subchapter

§ 1131. Scope of subchapter.  This subchapter applies to all municipalities.
53 PA Cons Stat § 1132 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 53 - MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|Section 1132 - Declaration of policy

§ 1132. Declaration of policy.  Because of the existing possibility of attack upon the United States of unprecedented size and destructiveness and in order, in the event of such an attack, to assure continuity of government through legally constituted authority and responsibility in offices of the municipalities of this Commonwealth, to provide for the effective operation of government during an emergency and to facilitate the early resumption of functions temporarily suspended, it is found and declared to be necessary to provide for emergency interim succession to offices of the municipalities of this Commonwealth in the event the incumbents and their deputies authorized to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of these offices, referred to in this subchapter as deputies, are unavailable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of these offices.