PRINTER'S NO. 1480
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
265
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY WHEATLEY, APRIL 19, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, APRIL 19, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study of the requirements and implications of
performing social impact assessments for each piece of
legislation that pertains to health care for adults and
children, felony crimes, public school finance and the change
in structure or mission of institutions of higher education
or the creation of institutions of higher education.
WHEREAS, All legislation that will have a fiscal impact on
the Commonwealth receives a fiscal note explaining the revenue
that will be raised or lost as a result of the legislation; and
WHEREAS, The effects of legislation often times goes far
beyond that of just fiscal impacts, having cultural and
socioeconomic impacts as well; and
WHEREAS, A similar note as it pertains to those cultural and
socioeconomic impacts are never attached to such legislation,
despite the effects legislation may have on individuals,
families, communities, nonprofits and for-profit entities; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary to have a full understanding of what
the fiscal, cultural and socioeconomic impacts of legislation
will mean for the people of this Commonwealth prior to its
approval; and
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WHEREAS, A social impact assessment will provide that
understanding; and
WHEREAS, It is recognized by members of the General Assembly
that legislation, especially as it pertains to health care,
felony crimes and education, needs to be thoroughly examined
before it can receive a vote; and
WHEREAS, Such an assessment would provide protection against
the whims of partisan legislation; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
conduct a study of how the Commonwealth would perform social
impact assessments, what agency would be best suited to perform
them, what information would be needed to perform them, how they
may affect the legislative process and what they could mean for
the cultural and socioeconomic well-being of this Commonwealth;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
provide recommendations necessary or desirable to establish a
process for performing social impact assessments; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
report to the House of Representatives the result of the study
and recommendations regarding social impact assessments and file
the report with the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives
no later than 180 days after the adoption of this resolution.
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