THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY FABRIZIO, J. EVANS, HARKINS, HORNAMAN AND SONNEY, APRIL 29, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, APRIL 29, 2010  

AN ACT

Amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), entitled,

as amended, "An act relating to counties of the first, third,

fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth classes; amending,

revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating

thereto; relating to imposition of excise taxes by counties,

including authorizing imposition of an excise tax on the

rental of motor vehicles by counties of the first class; and

providing for regional renaissance initiatives," further

providing for the governing board of the convention center

authority.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 2399.61 of the act of August 9, 1955

(P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, added October 18,

2000 (P.L.541, No.73), is amended to read:

Section 2399.61.  Governing Board.--(a)  The power of the

authority shall be exercised by a governing board composed of

[nine] eleven members appointed as follows:

(1)  [The mayor or, if there is no mayor, the elected chief

executive officer, of the county seat] Seven members shall be

appointed by the county council or the equivalent governing body

of the county in which the convention center facilities are

located [shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the city

council or equivalent body, three members. The term of office of

these members shall be four years. The terms of the first three

members appointed shall be allocated among them for a two-year,

three-year and four-year term, respectively. In all cases, the

beginning of the term shall be deemed January 1 of the year of

appointment, subject to subsection (b)].

(2)  [The county executive or other elected chief executive

officer of the county or, if there is no county executive or

elected chief executive officer of the county, the governing

body of the county in which the convention center facilities are

located shall appoint four members. Appointments by a county

executive or other elected chief executive officer shall be with

the advice and consent of the county council or equivalent body.

The term of office of these members shall be four years. The

terms of the first four members appointed shall be allocated

among them for a one-year, two-year, three-year and four-year

term, respectively. In all cases, the beginning of the term

shall be deemed January 1 of the year of appointment, subject to

subsection (b).] Two members shall be appointed by the mayor of

the city in which the convention center is located, or, if in a

township, by the township supervisors.

(3)  Two members shall be appointed by the Governor with the

advice and consent of a majority of the members of the Senate.

[(4)  If the authority created pursuant to section 2399.54 is

created by the county acting alone, seven members shall be

appointed under clause (2). The term of office of these members

shall be four years. The terms of the first members appointed

shall be allocated among them as follows: a one-year term, two

two-year terms, two three-year terms and two four-year terms.]

(b)  Except as otherwise provided, members shall serve a

four-year term from the date of their appointment and until

their successors have been appointed and qualified. If a vacancy

shall occur by means of the death, disqualification, resignation

or removal of a member, subject to the provisions of subsection

(a), the appointing authority shall appoint a successor to fill

the unexpired term.

(c)  The members of the board shall not be compensated for

their service on the board or for any other position in which

they may serve the authority. The authority may reimburse

members for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses

incurred by members in carrying out the business of the

authority.

(d)  (1)  The members of the board shall select from among

themselves a chairman and such other officers as the board may

determine. Except as otherwise provided, all actions of the

board shall be taken by a vote of at least five members of the

board, which shall constitute a majority of the board, unless

the bylaws of the authority shall provide for a majority vote by

a present quorum of not less than five members in the absence of

a full board. The board shall have full authority to manage the

properties and business of the authority and to prescribe, amend

and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations governing the manner in

which the business of the authority may be conducted and the

powers granted to it may be exercised and embodied.

Notwithstanding any other law, court decision, precedent or

practice to the contrary, no actions by or on behalf of the

board shall be taken by an officer of the board or the authority

except upon the approval or prior authorization of the board. As

used in this subsection, the term "actions by or on behalf of

the board" means any action whatsoever of the board, including,

but not limited to, the hiring, appointment, removal, transfer,

promotion or demotion of any officers and employes, the

retention, use or remuneration of advisors, counsel, auditors,

architects, engineers or consultants, the initiation of legal

action, the making of contracts, leases, agreements, bonds,

notes or covenants, the approval of requisitions, purchase

orders, investments and reinvestments, and the adoption,

amendment, revision or rescission of rules and regulations,

orders or other directives.

(2)  The board shall appoint an executive director, who shall

act as the chief executive officer of the authority. The

executive director shall not be a member of the board.

Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (1), the board may, by

bylaw or by resolution, delegate to the executive director the

authority and power to carry out the day-to-day operations of

the authority and to exercise those powers which are normal,

customary and necessary to perform the duties of a chief

executive officer.

(3)  The board may appoint such assistant and other officers,

including assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, as the

board determines to be appropriate to carry out the business of

the authority. Assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers

may be members of the board.

(4)  The board may appoint one or more deputy executive

directors who, to the extent authorized by the board, may

exercise the duties and powers of the executive director in the

executive director's absence or incapacity or in the event of a

vacancy in the office of executive director.

(e)  Members of the board shall not be liable personally on

the bonds or other obligations of the authority, and the rights

of creditors shall be solely against the authority. The

authority, itself or by contract, shall defend board members,

and the authority shall indemnify and hold harmless board

members, whether or not currently serving as a member of the

authority, against and from any and all personal liabilities,

actions, causes of action and claims made against them for

whatever actions they perform within the scope of their duties

as board members.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.