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LOCK HAVEN -- The Clinton County Board of Commissioners approved all items on its agenda Thursday, Aug. 13, including county bills, grant initiatives, service contracts, personnel matters and a resolution encouraging the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to consider Senate Bill 829 that would make Clinton County's own Hynerpeton bassetti the official state fossil of Pennsylvania.
Commissioner Angela Harding read aloud Resolution No. 13 of 2026, titled: "A Resolution Encouraging the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to Consider Senate Bill 829 'Hynerpeton PA's Own State Fossil.'"
The resolution connects the effort to Pennsylvania's celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary through the America250PA initiative and recognizes the work of the Bucktail Area High School Student Government.
According to the resolution read by Harding, Bucktail students have spent years researching Pennsylvania's natural history, learning about the legislative process, meeting with elected officials and advocating for legislation to designate Hynerpeton bassetti as Pennsylvania's official state fossil.
The resolution notes that the student project has been designated an America250PA Officially Recognized Project.
It also highlights the fossil's direct connection to Clinton County. Hynerpeton bassetti was discovered at the internationally significant Red Hill Fossil Site near Hyner and is known from that site. The animal's name itself refers to Hyner. The legislation describes Hynerpeton as an early four-limbed vertebrate and says it was discovered at Red Hill in 1993.
Senate Bill 829 would designate Hynerpeton bassetti as Pennsylvania's official state fossil and repeal the existing designation. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Cris Dush and has bipartisan co-sponsorship from Sen. Steven Santarsiero and Sen. Amanda Cappelletti.
The Pennsylvania Senate approved the legislation 49-0 on Nov. 18, 2025. It then moved to the House, where it was referred to the State Government Committee before being sent to the Commerce Committee.
The House Commerce Committee reported the bill as committed on June 30, 2026, by a 26-0 vote. The bill was then laid on the table later that day.
The Clinton County commissioners' resolution does not ask House members to vote for or against the bill.
Instead, it specifically asks House leadership to schedule Senate Bill 829 for consideration by the full House at the next voting session.
The resolution states that it "does not advocate for any particular vote" and instead asks the House to complete the legislative process by giving elected representatives the opportunity to consider the measure.
That distinction was part of the resolution read by Harding.
The commissioners' resolution also directs that copies be sent to the Pennsylvania House speaker, House majority and minority leaders, members of House leadership, Sen. Cris Dush, Rep. Stephanie Borowicz and the Bucktail Area High School Student Government.
The effort comes as Pennsylvania prepares for the 250th anniversary celebrations, with the resolution arguing that consideration of SB 829 before the end of 2026 would highlight the state's natural heritage while recognizing the civic engagement of the Bucktail students.
Commissioners approved a pass-through contract agreement with Clinton County Women's Center Inc., doing business as Roads to Peace, for Stop Violence Against Women Act grant funds of up to $62,500 for calendar year 2027, contingent upon an award from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
The board also approved a subscription renewal with Avtech Software Inc. for its Room Alert facility-monitoring system. The one-year renewal, covering Sept. 17, 2026, through Sept. 16, 2027, will cost $349.95 and provide alerts concerning server-room conditions.
The commissioners also confirmed the previously listed personnel actions and continued with their regular schedule of work sessions, meetings and committee activities.
The commissioners approved $1,175,461.16 in county bills for the two-week period ending Aug. 13, along with $348,668.11 in net payroll for the two-week period ending Aug. 1.
The board also approved the selection of four projects to move forward with funding applications through the Community Development Block Grant program:
-- Clinton County Blight Remediation Plan Phase 3 -- $53,700
-- Poor Man Circle Utility Upgrades -- $70,517.50
-- Bucktail Medical Center RAB Phase 2 -- $70,517.50
-- SEDA-COG Administration -- $42,100
Commissioners approved an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for an Act 88 Election Integrity Grant in the amount of $113,320.48.
The board also approved contracts with Centre County Youth Service Bureau and Clear Vision Residential Services to provide placement services for the Clinton County Children & Youth Services Agency and/or Juvenile Probation Office for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Contracts with Keystone Counseling & Evaluation Services LLC and McCloskey Counseling Center were approved for legal, counseling, psychologist and therapy services for Children & Youth Services and/or Juvenile Probation.
Commissioners further approved a contract with SpeakWrite for confidential transcription, account management, reporting, training, support and billing services for the Clinton County Children and Youth Services Agency.
The board approved the resignation of Kalen Guyer, agricultural resource conservationist at the Conservation District, effective Sept. 11, 2026.
Commissioners also approved the retirement of Lori Rhoads, quality assurance supervisor at the Department of Emergency Services, effective Sept. 11.
The board previously listed and approved the resignation of Edward Ferguson, assistant district attorney in the District Attorney's Office, effective July 27, 2026.