STATE CAPITOL PRESERVATION ACT
Act of Dec. 20, 1982, P.L. 1442, No. 327 Cl. 37
AN ACT
Providing for the historic preservation of the State Capitol
Building, establishing a Capitol Preservation Committee and
establishing the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "State
Capitol Preservation Act."
Section 2. Legislative findings; declaration of policy.
It is hereby determined and declared as a matter of
legislative finding:
(1) The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a rich heritage
of historical buildings, structures, documents, artifacts and
other objects and resources which bear witness to its growth
as one of the great states of this nation.
(2) Efforts have been made toward the restoration and
preservation of buildings, structures, documents, artifacts
and objects evidencing the history of this eminent
Commonwealth and of the General Assembly, and these efforts
should be continued and intensified.
(3) Particular attention should be given to the
preservation of the architectural and historical integrity of
the State Capitol Building and to the restoration and
preservation of artifacts, documents and other historical
objects and resources located within that building.
(4) The most effective way to promote and foster the
historic preservation of the State Capitol Building is by the
establishment of a committee to supervise and coordinate this
work.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
meanings given to them in this section:
"Committee." The Capitol Preservation Committee.
"Fund." The Capitol Restoration Trust Fund.
Section 4. Capitol Preservation Committee.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Capitol
Preservation Committee to supervise and coordinate the historic
preservation of the State Capitol Building and the preservation
and restoration of historical documents, artifacts and other
objects and resources located in or associated with the State
Capitol Building.
(b) Membership.--The committee shall be composed of the
following:
(1) Four members of the Senate to be appointed by the
President pro tempore of the Senate, two from the majority
and two from the minority party.
(2) Four members of the House of Representatives to be
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two
from the majority and two from the minority party.
(3) One member, appointed by the Chief Justice, who is
not a member of the judiciary.
(4) The Secretary of the Department of General Services
or his designee.
(5) The Executive Director of the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission or his designee.
(6) The Secretary of the State Art Commission.
(7) Three members appointed by the Governor which
members shall include individuals with experience in
restoration of monumental buildings or a background in
historical restoration or fine arts conservation.
No member appointed under paragraph (3) or (7) shall be a member
of the executive, legislative or judicial branch of Commonwealth
government at the time of his appointment.
(c) Terms.--
(1) Members appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(1) and
(2) shall be appointed at the commencement of a regular
session of the General Assembly in each odd-numbered year.
These appointments shall take effect 31 days following the
convening of the session and the terms of these members shall
run until 30 days after the convening of the next regular
session of the General Assembly.
(2) The terms of members enumerated in subsection
(b)(4), (5) and (6) shall be coincident with their respective
offices.
(3) The terms of members appointed pursuant to
subsection (b)(3) and (7) shall be coincident with that of
the appointing Governor, President pro tempore of the Senate,
Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief Justice.
(d) Vacancies.--Vacancies in the membership of the committee
shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the
same manner as the original appointment.
(e) Organization and procedure.--
(1) The committee shall meet initially within 60 days
after enactment of this act and shall elect by a majority of
all its members a chairman and vice chairman from among its
members, each to serve for a term of two years. Thereafter,
the committee shall meet not less than twice each year.
(2) A majority of all the members of the committee shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(3) The committee may adopt rules for its government,
organization and procedures not inconsistent with the
provisions of this act.
(f) Expenses.--Committee members shall receive no
compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for all
necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with the performance of their duties as members. ((f)
amended June 21, 1984, P.L.425, No.85)
Section 5. Duties of the committee.
In addition to other powers conferred by this act, the
committee shall have the power:
(1) To develop a comprehensive plan and program for the
historic preservation and restoration of the State Capitol
Building.
(2) To monitor the making of all major repairs,
alterations and improvements in and about the State Capitol
Building, including the furnishing and refurnishing of the
same, where such repairs, alterations or improvements may
alter or otherwise affect the architectural and historical
integrity of the building.
(3) To monitor the maintenance, restoration,
preservation and rehabilitation of historical documents,
artifacts and other historical objects or resources located
within and around, or associated with, the State Capitol
Building.
(4) To acquire on behalf of the Commonwealth artifacts,
documents and other historical objects or resources which
contribute to the historical significance of the State
Capitol Building.
(5) To receive for and on behalf of the Commonwealth,
gifts or bequests of artifacts, documents and other
historical objects or resources which contribute to the
historical significance of the State Capitol Building.
(6) To assist in the preservation of other buildings and
structures located within the Capitol Complex.
(7) To accept grants and subsidies from and enter into
agreements or other transactions with any Federal agency or
agency of the Commonwealth or other entity.
(8) To enter into contracts and to execute all
instruments necessary or convenient for carrying on its
operations.
(9) To issue appropriate regulations for the
implementation of this act.
(10) To do all other things necessary or convenient to
carry out the powers granted to it by this act.
Section 6. Capitol Restoration Trust Fund and operating
expenses.
(a) Establishment and administration.--There is hereby
established a separate fund in the State Treasury to be known as
the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund. This fund shall be
administered by the committee and all moneys in the fund are
hereby appropriated to the committee on a continuing basis.
(b) Purpose.--The moneys in the fund shall be used:
(1) for the maintenance, restoration, preservation and
rehabilitation of artifacts, documents and other historical
objects or resources located within and around or associated
with the State Capitol Building or acquired by the committee;
and
(2) for the acquisition of artifacts, documents and
other historical objects or resources, including but not
limited to, statuary, art or any element which contribute to
the historical significancy of the State Capitol Building.
(c) Contributions, solicitation of funds.--
(1) The committee is hereby authorized:
(i) to accept on behalf of the Commonwealth gifts,
donations, legacies and usages of money from individuals,
organizations, public or private corporations and other
similar entities; and
(ii) to solicit and raise moneys from public and
private sources through the sale of commemorative medals
and other items of a similar nature which promote the
historic preservation and restoration of the State
Capitol Building.
(2) Except for appropriations made by the General
Assembly, all moneys received or raised under this section
shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the
Capitol Restoration Trust Fund.
(d) Operating expenses.--Appropriations made by the General
Assembly to the committee shall be used for payment of necessary
travel and other reasonable expenses of committee members, for
the compensation and expenses of staff for the committee, for
administrative expenses and generally for the purpose of
carrying into effect the provisions of the act.
(6 amended June 21, 1984, P.L.425, No.85)
Section 7. Repeal.
All acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith are repealed
to the extent of such inconsistency.
Section 8. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately. Initial appointments
to the committee shall be made within 60 days following the date
of final enactment.
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