The Public Employee Retirement Commission can continue to operate as an essentially independent agency until a court rules on a challenge to Gov. Tom Wolf’s attempt to close it, according to an agreement made public Thursday.

Two House Republicans, Seth Grove and Stephen Bloom, in February filed a lawsuit to prevent the closure of the agency, which reviews municipal pension plans and legislation that would affect the pensions of public workers.

An agreement signed by representatives of Mr. Grove and Mr. Bloom, the Wolf administration and the attorney general’s office says that until the court issues a decision in the lawsuit, PERC can continue with its duties and does not need approval from the governor’s budget office for general work issues.

In a press release, Mr. Grove and Mr. Bloom said the agreement temporarily restores the independence of the agency.

A spokesman for Mr. Wolf said in a statement that the administration had already agreed that PERC could continue to carry out its functions related to municipal pensions, and that the governor would work with the General Assembly "to finalize any long term solutions that would require statutory authorization."

An order from a Commonwealth Court judge says the case should be scheduled for argument in May in Philadelphia.

First Published: March 4, 2016, 5:00 a.m.