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A03565
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1793
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY CHARLTON, SOLOMON, MILLARD, LONGIETTI, BOBACK,
RYAN, BRIGGS, WARD, MURT, RABB, V. BROWN, SAMUELSON, STURLA,
HAHN, DIAMOND, HELM, MATZIE, COOK, PHILLIPS-HILL,
SCHLOSSBERG, C. QUINN, DELOZIER, READSHAW, NEILSON, D. COSTA,
DRISCOLL, DONATUCCI, D. MILLER, WARREN, ROEBUCK, CORR,
WATSON, DEASY, CALTAGIRONE, KIRKLAND, BRADFORD, RADER AND
BURNS, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
SEPTEMBER 18, 2017
AN ACT
Establishing the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States
Semiquincentennial Commission; and providing for its powers
and duties.
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 Pennsylvania
Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial Commission
Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
As used in this act, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commission." The Pennsylvania Commission for the United
States Semiquincentennial Commission established by this act.
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"Pennsylvania pavilion." Pennsylvania's headquarters during
the Semiquincentennial that showcases the Commonwealth's
history, people, innovations, culture and resources.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Community and Economic
Development of the Commonwealth.
Section 3. Establishment.
The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States
Semiquincentennial Commission is established to plan, encourage,
develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th
anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania's
integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the
nation's past, present and future.
Section 4. Composition.
The commission shall consist of the following members:
(1) Two members of the Senate, of whom:
(i) One shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of
the Senate.
(ii) One shall be appointed by the Minority Leader
of the Senate.
(2) Two members of the House of Representatives, of
whom:
(i) One shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
(ii) One shall be appointed by the Minority Leader
of the House of Representatives.
(3) Twenty members who must be private citizens, of
whom:
(i) Four shall be appointed by the Governor.
(ii) Four shall be appointed by the Majority Leader
of the Senate.
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(iii) Four shall be appointed by the Minority Leader
of the Senate.
(iv) Four shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
(v) Four shall be appointed by the Minority Leader
of the House of Representatives.
(vi) One of whom shall be designated by the Governor
as the Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Semiquincentennial
Commission.
(4) The following individuals shall be ex officio
nonvoting members of the commission:
(i) The secretary.
(ii) The Secretary of the Commonwealth.
(iii) The Attorney General.
(iv) The Auditor General.
(v) The State Treasurer.
(v) (vi) The Chair of the Pennsylvania Historical
and Museum Commission.
(vi) (vii) The Secretary of Transportation.
(vii) (viii) The Secretary of Education.
(viii) (ix) The Secretary of Conservation and
Natural Resources.
(ix) (x) The Adjutant General.
(x) (xi) The Chair of the Pennsylvania Council on
the Arts.
Section 5. Term.
A member shall be appointed for the duration of the
commission. A vacancy on the commission shall not affect the
powers of the commission and shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointment was made.
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Section 6. Meetings.
Meetings of the commission shall be held throughout this
Commonwealth at times and locations determined by the
chairperson. A majority of the members of the commission shall
constitute a quorum but a lesser number of members may hold
hearings.
Section 7. General powers and duties.
The commission shall:
(1) Plan, coordinate and implement an overall program
commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the
United States in the year 2026, specifically highlighting the
role of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvanians in and the events
succeeding the historic event.
(2) Plan, coordinate and implement the Pennsylvania
pavilion.
(3) Coordinate with all Federal, State and local
agencies on infrastructural improvements and projects to
welcome regional, national and international tourists.
Section 8. Requirements for plans and programs.
In preparing plans and an overall program, the commission:
(1) Shall give due consideration to related plans and
programs developed by Federal, other states, local and
private groups.
(2) May designate special committees with
representatives from groups described in paragraph (1) to
plan, develop and coordinate specific activities.
(3) Shall, beginning within 90 days of its first meeting
and throughout the duration of the commission, conduct
extensive public engagement throughout this Commonwealth in
developing the overall programs that may take place during
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the Semiquincentennial.
(4) Shall aim to impact and showcase all counties in
this Commonwealth.
(5) Shall draw attention to the achievements, struggles,
honors, innovations and impacts of all people in Pennsylvania
since before its founding to the present day.
(6) Shall clearly delineate the costs associated with
the commission.
Section 9. Report to the Governor and the General Assembly.
(a) Duty to submit.--Not later than one year after the
effective date of this section, the commission shall submit to
the Governor and the General Assembly a comprehensive report
that includes the specific recommendations of the commission for
the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of
the United States and related events.
(b) Required contents.--The report shall include the
following:
(1) A detailed timeline of the plan of works through
2027.
(2) Recommendations of the commission for the allocation
of financial and administrative responsibility among the
public and private authorities and organizations recommended
for participation by the commission.
(3) The projected number of jobs created through the
implementation of the commission's plan and overall program.
(4) The projected economic impact of the implementation
of the commission's plan and overall program.
(5) The geographic impact on all counties of this
Commonwealth of the commission's plan and overall program.
(6) The plan for the Pennsylvania pavilion.
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(7) The plan for improvements, if any, to the
infrastructure of the Commonwealth necessary for the
successful delivery of the commission's plan and overall
program.
(8) Outputs and outcomes against which progress and
success of the commission's plan and overall program can be
measured.
(c) Recommendations for legislation.--The report may include
recommendations for legislation needed to effectuate the plan
and overall program.
(d) Publication.--The report shall be available on the
commission's publicly accessible Internet website.
Section 10. Information from State agencies.
The commission may secure directly from a State agency
information as the commission considers necessary to carry out
this act. On the request of the chairperson of the commission,
the head of a State agency shall provide the information to the
commission.
Section 11. Gifts.
The commission may accept, use and dispose of gifts and
donations of money, property or personal services. Information
relating to the gifts shall be enumerated and submitted to the
State Ethics Commission each quarter and shall be available on
the commission's publicly accessible Internet website.
Section 12. Additional powers.
As determined necessary by the commission, the commission
may:
(1) Procure supplies, services and property.
(2) Make contracts.
(3) Expend, in furtherance of this act, funds donated or
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received in pursuance of contracts entered into under this
act.
(4) Take actions as are necessary to enable the
commission to carry out efficiently and in the public
interest the purpose of this act.
Section 13. Property.
Property acquired by the commission that remains after the
termination of the commission may be designated by an act of the
General Assembly to local municipalities or State agencies.
Section 14. Administration.
(a) Compensation of members.--
(1) The members of the commission shall receive no
compensation for service on the commission.
(2) The members of the commission shall receive
reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses.
(b) Staff.--
(1) The chairperson of the commission may, without
regard to the civil service laws or regulations, appoint and
terminate an executive director and other additional
personnel as are necessary to enable the commission to
perform its powers and duties.
(2) The employment of an executive director shall be
subject to confirmation by majority vote of the commission.
Section 15. Annual report.
Once each year during the period beginning on the effective
date of this section through December 31, 2027, the commission
shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a report
of the activities of the commission, including an accounting of
funds received and expended during the year covered by the
report, the outputs and outcomes achieved and whether those
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achievements meet the commission's plan and overall program. The
report shall be available on the commission's publicly
accessible Internet website.
Section 16. Termination of commission.
The commission shall terminate on December 31, 2027.
Section 17. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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