THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY GIBBONS, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, GERGELY, GOODMAN, MATZIE, METZGAR, READSHAW AND YOUNGBLOOD, MAY 7, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, MAY 7, 2012  

AN ACT

Amending the act of December 15, 1955 (P.L.865, No.256),

entitled "An act requiring rents and royalties from oil and

gas leases of Commonwealth land to be placed in a special

fund to be used for conservation, recreation, dams, and flood

control; authorizing the Secretary of Forests and Waters to

determine the need for and location of such projects and to

acquire the necessary land," providing for transfer of funds

to Fish Fund; and making editorial changes.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The act of December 15, 1955(P.L.865, No.256),

entitled "An act requiring rents and royalties from oil and gas

leases of Commonwealth land to be placed in a special fund to be

used for conservation, recreation, dams, and flood control;

authorizing the Secretary of Forests and Waters to determine the

need for and location of such projects and to acquire the

necessary land," is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 1.1.  On July 1, 2012, and each July 1 thereafter, an

amount equal to five per centum of the rents and royalties

received under section 1, not to exceed six million dollars

($6,000,000) annually, shall be transferred to a restricted

account in the Fish Fund for use by the Pennsylvania Fish and

Boat Commission for the purpose of repairs or reconstruction of

high-hazard dams managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat

Commission.

Section 2. Sections 2 and 3 of the act are amended to read:

Section 2.  [It] Except for those projects authorized under

section 1.1, it shall be within the discretion of the Secretary

of [Forests and Waters] Conservation and Natural Resources to

determine the need for and the location of any project

authorized by this act. The Secretary of [Forests and Waters]

Conservation and Natural Resources shall have the power to

acquire in the name of the Commonwealth by purchase,

condemnation or otherwise such lands as may be needed.

Section 3.  All the moneys from time to time paid into the

"Oil and Gas Lease Fund" are specifically appropriated to the

Department of [Forests and Waters] Conservation and Natural

Resources to carry out the purposes of this act.

Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.