HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by state Rep. Matt Gabler, R-DuBois, that clarifies the process of filling leadership positions in municipalities is headed to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk following unanimous passage by the state Senate.

“House Bill 423 clears up a discrepancy in state law that deals with filling vacancies in township offices,” Gabler said. “I authored this legislation at the request of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, which considers this a critical issue in trying to ensure seamless transitions in leadership of our municipalities.”

Current codes for Pennsylvania’s second-class townships, including townships in Elk County, do not thoroughly address the process of filling vacancies resulting from a resignation, Gabler said. House Bill 423 enumerates a process, removes ambiguity and creates specific timelines for township supervisors, vacancy boards and courts of common pleas to act in filling vacancies.

“The most important thing we can do as policymakers is to make government as predictable and user-friendly as possible,” added Gabler. “This bill helps do just that for our township governments. I appreciate my House and Senate colleagues’ support for this bill, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law in the very near future.”