Regular Session 2023-2024 Senate Bill 0277 P.N. 1589

HOUSE AMENDED

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 241

PRINTER'S NO. 1589

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

277

Session of

2023

INTRODUCED BY YAW, STEFANO, BAKER AND VOGEL, JANUARY 31, 2023

AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

MAY 7, 2024

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 30, 1987 (P.L.163, No.16), entitled "An

act providing for the revitalization of rural Pennsylvania;

establishing the Center for Rural Pennsylvania; providing for

rural education partnerships and adult literacy programs;

allocating funds appropriated to the Department of Commerce

for a Regional Center for Continuing Education of Health

Science Practitioners in western Pennsylvania; making

appropriations; and making a repeal," in Center for Rural

Pennsylvania, further providing for board of directors;

ESTABLISHING THE RURAL POPULATION REVITALIZATION COMMISSION

AND PROVIDING FOR DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION; and making a

repeal.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 302(a) of the act of June 30, 1987

(P.L.163, No.16), known as the Rural Pennsylvania Revitalization

Act, is amended to read:

Section 302. Board of directors.

(a) Members.--The Center for Rural Pennsylvania shall be

governed by a board of directors which shall consist of [11

members.] members appointed as follows:

(1) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall

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appoint two members from the House of Representatives, one

from the majority party and one from the minority party.

(2) The President pro tempore of the Senate shall

appoint two members from the Senate, one from the majority

party and one from the minority party.

(3) Two members shall be representatives of universities

in the State System of Higher Education. [One member]

(4) Two members shall be from The Pennsylvania State

University[.], one of whom shall be from Penn State

Extension .

(5) One member shall be from the University of

Pittsburgh. [One member shall be the Director of the

Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development.]

(6) The Governor shall appoint two members from among

the memberships of the following Statewide organizations:

Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, Pennsylvania [Grange

Association] State Grange and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

(7) One member shall be from the Northern Pennsylvania

Regional College.

(8) One member shall be from the Pennsylvania College of

Technology.

* * *

SECTION 1.1. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A CHAPTER TO READ:

CHAPTER 4

RURAL POPULATION REVITALIZATION COMMISSION

SECTION 401. SCOPE OF CHAPTER.

THIS CHAPTER RELATES TO THE RURAL POPULATION REVITALIZATION

COMMISSION.

SECTION 402. DEFINITIONS.

THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS ACT SHALL

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HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION UNLESS THE

CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE:

"COMMISSION." THE RURAL POPULATION REVITALIZATION COMMISSION

ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 403.

"RURAL COUNTY." A COUNTY LOCATED IN THIS COMMONWEALTH WITH A

POPULATION DENSITY LESS THAN 291 PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE, OR AS

OTHERWISE DEFINED BY THE CENTER FOR RURAL PENNSYLVANIA.

"RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICT." A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT LOCATED IN

THIS COMMONWEALTH WITH A POPULATION DENSITY LESS THAN 291 PEOPLE

PER SQUARE MILE, OR AS OTHERWISE DEFINED BY THE CENTER FOR RURAL

PENNSYLVANIA.

SECTION 403. ESTABLISHMENT.

THE RURAL POPULATION REVITALIZATION COMMISSION IS

ESTABLISHED.

SECTION 404. DUTIES.

(A) REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.-- AFTER ISSUING AN INITIAL

REPORT UNDER SUBSECTION(B)(12), THE COMMISSION SHALL ISSUE A

BIENNIAL REPORT ON POPULATION CHANGE IN RURAL AREAS OF THIS

COMMONWEALTH WHICH SHALL INCLUDE REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

AIMED AT ATTRACTING AND RETAINING RESIDENTS IN RURAL

PENNSYLVANIA WHILE ADDRESSING CHALLENGES FACING RURAL

COMMUNITIES DUE TO POPULATION SHIFTS AND CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS.

REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED

TO, THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

(1) INCREASING PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL DECENNIAL

CENSUS.

(2) ATTRACTING AND RETAINING RESIDENTS IN RURAL

PENNSYLVANIA.

(3) EDUCATION AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

(4) ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

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(5) AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

(6) ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES.

(7) CURRENT ISSUES FACING RURAL PENNSYLVANIA.

(8) GRANT AWARDS AND TAX CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FOR RURAL

PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

(9) STATUTORY AND REGULATORY COSTS AND IMPACTS ON RURAL

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES.

(10) OTHER ISSUES FACING RURAL PENNSYLVANIA AS

IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION.

(B) ADDITIONAL POWERS AND DUTIES.--THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE

THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL POWERS AND DUTIES:

(1) REVIEW, MAKE FINDINGS AND OFFER RECOMMENDATIONS

RELATED TO ADDRESSING AND MITIGATING RURAL POPULATION SHIFTS

IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.

(2) CONSULT WITH AND UTILIZE EXPERTS TO ASSIST THE

COMMISSION IN CARRYING OUT THE DUTIES UNDER THIS SUBSECTION.

(3) RECEIVE INPUT FROM INTERESTED PARTIES.

(4) HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THIS

COMMONWEALTH. VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARINGS MAY BE UTILIZED BY THE

COMMISSION.

(5) REVIEW AND CONSIDER RURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

UTILIZED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

(6) REVIEW THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF STATE AND

REGIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO

IMPLEMENT NEW POLICIES, STATUTES AND REGULATIONS ON IMPROVING

QUALITY OF LIFE AND ATTRACTING RESIDENTS TO RURAL

COMMUNITIES.

(7) RECOMMEND PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND REGULATORY

CHANGES BASED ON THE COMMISSION'S FINDINGS.

(8) CREATE AND MAINTAIN A DATABASE ON RURAL

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PENNSYLVANIA'S DEMOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS AND TRENDS.

(9) ESTABLISH SUBCOMMITTEES, INCLUDING NONCOMMISSION

MEMBERS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE CHAIRPERSON, TO

ADDRESS SPECIFIC POPULATION CHANGE ISSUES.

(10) PROVIDE PERIODIC ESTIMATES ON THE FISCAL IMPACT OF

POPULATION CHANGES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, SUCH AS PROJECTED

CHANGES IN TAX REVENUE RESULTING FROM POPULATION CHANGES.

(11) COLLECT AND DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION ABOUT AVAILABLE

PUBLIC GRANTS, SERVICES AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO RURAL

COMMUNITIES.

(12) NOT LATER THAN 90 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF

THIS PARAGRAPH THE COMMISSION SHALL CONVENE ITS FIRST MEETING

UNDER SECTION 406 AND NO LATER THAN TWO YEAR S AFTER THE FIRST

MEETING THE COMMISSION SHALL TRANSMIT AN INITIAL REPORT OF

THE COMMISSION'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE

FOLLOWING:

(I) THE GOVERNOR.

(II) ALL MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES.

(I II) THE CENTER FOR RURAL PENNSYLVANIA'S PUBLICLY

ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE.

SECTION 405. MEMBERSHIP.

(A) MEMBERS.--THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING

MEMBERS:

(1) TWO INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

(2) TWO MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE APPOINTED BY THE

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, ONE FROM THE MAJORITY

PARTY AND ONE FROM THE MINORITY PARTY.

(3) TWO MEMBERS FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ONE

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FROM THE MAJORITY PARTY AND ONE FROM THE MINORITY PARTY.

(4) THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR RURAL PENNSYLVANIA OR

A DESIGNEE.

(5) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF

RURAL HEALTH.

(6) A YOUNG ADULT SELECTED FROM A STATEWIDE GENERAL FARM

ORGANIZATION SELECTED BY THE CHAIRPERSON.

(7) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA WHO HOLDS OFFICE IN A RURAL

COUNTY.

(8) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA FROM A RURAL COUNTY WITH INTEREST

OR EXPERIENCE IN HUMAN SERVICES.

(9) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL BOARDS

ASSOCIATION FROM A RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

(10) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA CHAMBER OF

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY WHO RESIDES IN OR OPERATES A BUSINESS

IN A RURAL COUNTY.

(11) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT

COUNCIL OR A DESIGNEE.

(12) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER

EDUCATION WHO REPRESENTS A UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN A RURAL

COUNTY.

(B) CHAIRPERSON.--THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR RURAL

PENNSYLVANIA SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION UNTIL

THE COMMISSION ELECTS A CHAIRPERSON FROM THE MEMBERSHIP. THE

MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL ELECT A VICE CHAIRPERSON FROM

AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. THE MEMBER ELECTED VICE

CHAIRPERSON SHALL SERVE IN THAT CAPACITY FOR THE ENSUING TERM.

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SHALL:

(1) HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEMS FACING RURAL COMMUNITIES

IN THIS COMMONWEALTH;

(2) HAVE EXPERIENCE IN ADVOCACY RELATING TO RURAL

ISSUES; OR

(3) PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES THAT

IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES OR ATTRACT

AND RETAIN RESIDENTS IN RURAL PENNSYLVANIA.

(D) TERMS.--THE TERM OF OFFICE OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE

COMMISSION SHALL BE TWO YEARS. EACH MEMBER SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO

BE REAPPOINTED TO THE COMMISSION.

SECTION 406. MEETINGS.

THE COMMISSION SHALL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING WITHIN 90 DAYS OF

THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, WITH QUORUM BASED UPON THE

MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED. THE COMMISSION

SHALL HOLD MEETINGS AT THE CALL OF THE CHAIRPERSON ON NO LESS

THAN FOUR DIFFERENT DATES ANNUALLY.

SECTION 407. EXPENSES.

T HE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL SERVE WITHOUT SALARY OR

COMPENSATION, BUT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO EXPENSES THAT ARE

REASONABLE AND NECESSARY TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES.

SECTION 408. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.

THE CENTER FOR RURAL PENNSYLVANIA STAFF SHALL PROVIDE

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, MEETING SPACE AND ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE

REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSION TO CARRY OUT THE COMMISSION'S DUTIES

UNDER THIS CHAPTER.

Section 2. Repeals are as follows:

(1) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under

paragraph (2) is necessary to effectuate the addition of

section 302(a)(7) and (8) of the act.

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(2) Section 311 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177,

No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, is

repealed.

Section 3. The addition of section 302(a)(7) and (8) of the

act is a continuation of section 311 of the act of April 9, 1929

(P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929.

Except as otherwise provided in the addition of section 302(a)

(7) or (8) of the act, all activities initiated under section

311 of The Administrative Code of 1929 shall continue and remain

in full force and effect and may be completed under section

302(a)(7) or (8) of the act. Orders, regulations, rules and

decisions which were made under section 311 of The

Administrative Code of 1929 and in effect on the effective date

of section 2(2) of this act shall remain in full force and

effect until revoked, vacated or modified under section 302(a)

(7) or (8) of the act. Contracts, obligations and collective

bargaining agreements entered into under section 311 of The

Administrative Code of 1929 are not affected nor impaired by the

repeal of section 311 of The Administrative Code of 1929.

Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately. AS

FOLLOWS:

(1) THE ADDITION OF CHAPTER 4 OF THE ACT SHALL TAKE

EFFECT IN 180 DAYS.

(2) THE REMAINDER OF THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT

IMMEDIATELY.

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