PRINTER'S NO. 1673
No. 1407 Session of 1977
INTRODUCED BY MANDERINO, IRVIS, GREENFIELD, WARGO, GOODMAN,
SHUPNIK, PRENDERGAST, MUSTO, McLANE, WANSACZ, SCHWEDER,
RENWICK, LETTERMAN, FRYER, PETRARCA, BENNETT, ARTHURS,
ENGLEHART, MISCEVICH, TRELLO, ABRAHAM, BITTINGER, REED AND
D. R. WRIGHT, JUNE 23, 1977
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 23, 1977
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth
2 of Pennsylvania, giving the General Assembly the authority to
3 take action in the case of natural disasters.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby resolves as follows:
6 Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of
7 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with
8 the provisions of Article XI thereof:
9 That section 17, Article VIII be amended to read:
10 § 17. Special emergency legislation.
11 Notwithstanding any provisions of this Constitution to the
12 contrary, the General Assembly shall have the authority to enact
13 laws providing for tax rebates, credits, exemptions, grants-in-
14 aid, State supplementations, or otherwise provide special
15 provisions for individuals, corporations, associations or
16 nonprofit institutions, including nonpublic schools (whether
17 sectarian or nonsectarian) in order to alleviate the danger,
1 damage, suffering or hardship faced by such individuals,
2 corporations, associations, institutions or nonpublic schools as
3 a result [of Great Storms or Floods of September 1971, of June
4 1972, or of 1974, or of 1975.] of natural disasters or
5 emergencies declared by either the President of the United
6 States or the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Such
7 laws shall apply only to those places and periods listed in such
8 emergency declarations but the laws in no case shall be
9 applicable for a period of longer than one year unless
10 reenacted.
11 Section 2. This proposed amendment shall be submitted by the
12 Secretary of the Commonwealth to the qualified electors of the
13 State, at the primary or general election next held after the
14 advertising requirements of section 1, Article XI of the
15 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have been
16 satisfied.
F20L15JLW/19770H1407B1673 - 2 -