PRINTER'S NO. 1731
No. 1331 Session of 2000
INTRODUCED BY BRIGHTBILL AND MOWERY, MARCH 14, 2000
REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MARCH 14, 2000
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), entitled,
2 as amended, "An act relating to counties of the first, third,
3 fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth classes; amending,
4 revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating
5 thereto; relating to imposition of excise taxes by counties,
6 including authorizing imposition of an excise tax on the
7 rental of motor vehicles by counties of the first class; and
8 providing for regional renaissance initiatives," providing
9 for attorney fees and costs for quashed subpoenas against
10 news reporters.
11 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
12 hereby enacts as follows:
13 Section 1. The act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130),
14 known as The County Code, is amended by adding a section to
15 read:
16 Section 1725.1. Quashed Subpoenas Against News Reporters;
17 Attorney Fees and Costs.--If a controller or auditor acting
18 under the authority of section 1725 issues a subpoena to a
19 person who is entitled not to disclose that person's sources of
20 information under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5942 (relating to confidential
21 communications to news reporters) and the subpoena is quashed by
1 a court of record in this Commonwealth, the controller or
2 auditor shall be personally liable for the reasonable attorney
3 fees and costs incurred by that person and may not make payment
4 with funds in the county treasury.
5 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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