In March 2001 Senate Local Government Committee Approved Bard’s Tax Collector and Auditor Training Bills - since then ( on 6/21/01)  the Tax Collector Bill has been sent to the Governor's desk. HB 169 awaits action.

Here was the news from March 2001 -

  The Senate Local Government Committee today unanimously approved Montgomery County lawmaker Rep. Ellen M. Bard ’ s (R-153) legislative package protecting taxpayers and promoting efficient and effective local government.

House Bills 168 and 169 create voluntary training and continuing education programs for municipal tax collectors and elected auditors, respectively.

" These two bills will provide much-needed training opportunities for aspiring or elected tax collectors and auditors. The voluntary competency exams will help to professionalise these positions and create more efficient local government, " Bard said. " The legislation will also allow tax collectors and auditors to better serve the people. "

For six years, Bard has worked tirelessly to move the Tax Collector Training and Qualification Act (House Bill 168) through the legislative process as part of her ongoing effort to professionalize and provide better oversight for the office of local elected tax collector.

The tax collector training bill again seems destined to make it to the governor ’ s desk, where last year it was vetoed because an unrelated amendment was tacked on during the circuitous legislative process.

The act would afford tax collectors the opportunity to be trained in order to hold themselves out as a " qualified tax collector " when seeking election to the local post.

During the 1980s, 100 homes erroneously had liens placed on them by an Abington tax collector, serving as the impetus behind Bard placing taxpayer protection and tax collection reform on her priority list upon being elected in 1994.

Under the act, courses would be offered through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), which would develop the training program in consultation with the Pennsylvania State Tax Collectors' Association. Course costs will be paid by the individual or by the municipality, if the municipality chooses to do so. DCED would keep a list of " qualified tax collectors, " posting names by county and municipality. The list would be filed once each year and posted to the department's Internet site.

Under the Elected Auditors ’ Training Act (House Bill 169) the Department of Community and Economic Development, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Pennsylvania Society of Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania State Association of County Auditors, would adopt and implement a program of voluntary basic training, examination and continuing education for auditors.

Both bills will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for final review before going to the full Senate for a vote.