HB 1836 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 73 (Townships) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, consolidating the First Class Township Code; and making a repeal.

HB 1836 reorganizes Pennsylvania's township classification system by consolidating the existing "First Class Township Code" into a single, clear section of state law. It establishes that a township qualifies as "first class" only if it has a population density of at least 300 people per square mile (using U.S. Census data), and specifies how second-class townships can transition to first-class status through a voter-approved process. The bill requires townships seeking to change classification to submit a resolution with population data to voters at a general election, with the change taking effect January 1 after a majority vote. This directly affects townships that meet the population density threshold and wish to adopt first-class governance structures. The law updates procedural requirements but does not create new services or funding.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Nov 2025
House Passage
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Sep 4, 2025 Last action Nov 19, 2025
Floor votes · House Nov 19, 2025

How they voted

260
Passed
Total votes 26
Nov 19, 2025
D Democratic14
14 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
12 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Nov 19, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (26-0)
house
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Sep 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to Local Government
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors