PRINTER'S NO. 2116
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
139
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY LABS, FARRY, WHITE, PENNYCUICK, POLINCHOCK, QUINN,
STAATS, STEPHENS, THOMAS, TOMLINSON AND C. WILLIAMS,
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Extending in whole or approving the issuance of a new disaster
emergency declaration in response to the aftereffects of
Hurricane Ida.
WHEREAS, On August 31, 2021, the Governor issued a
proclamation declaring a disaster emergency in response to the
aftereffects of Hurricane Ida; and
WHEREAS, In the proclamation declaring a disaster emergency,
the Governor declared that Hurricane Ida had the potential to
cause widespread and heavy rain throughout this Commonwealth,
which in turn posed a serious threat of severe flash flooding
and other adverse impacts throughout this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The remnants of Hurricane Ida brought historic
rainfall to Pennsylvania, causing record flooding in many places
around this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Flooding was particularly present in the
southeastern region of this Commonwealth, some of which
surpassed record flood levels, including reports ranging from
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
five to eight inches of rain, which caused significant damage to
homes, businesses and public infrastructure, while significantly
threatening and disrupting lives and displacing families; and
WHEREAS, Scranton saw its second wettest day on record and
Harrisburg and Altoona recorded their third wettest day on
record; and
WHEREAS, As a result of flooding and damaging winds, a total
of 389 roads were closed across this Commonwealth, while downed
trees and limbs disrupted utilities, leaving more than 15 major
interstates, roadways and expressways closed; and
WHEREAS, Recovery efforts in response to the damage caused by
Hurricane Ida remain ongoing and will continue for the
foreseeable future; therefore be it
RESOLVED, (The Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in accordance with section
20(c) of Article IV of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, extend
in whole until October 27, 2021, the disaster emergency declared
on August 31, 2021, in response to the aftereffects of Hurricane
Ida; and be it further
RESOLVED, (The Senate Concurring), That if the disaster
emergency declared on August 31, 2021, in response to the
aftereffects of Hurricane Ida is deemed to have expired prior to
the effective date of this concurrent resolution, the General
Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in accordance with
section 20(c) and (d) of Article IV of the Constitution of
Pennsylvania, expressly approve the issuance of a new disaster
emergency declaration based on the same or substantially similar
facts or circumstances as the disaster emergency declared on
August 31, 2021, in response to the aftereffects of Hurricane
Ida, provided that the new disaster emergency declaration shall
20210HR0139PN2116 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
be extended in whole until October 27, 2021, unless the General
Assembly extend the declaration in whole or in part; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That upon adoption of this concurrent resolution by
both chambers of the General Assembly, the Chief Clerk of the
Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives
notify the Governor of the General Assembly's action; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the Senate and the Chief
Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit this concurrent
resolution to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication
in the Pennsylvania Bulletin under 45 Pa.C.S. ยง 725(a)(4); and
be it further
RESOLVED, That this concurrent resolution take effect
immediately and be retroactive to August 31, 2021.
20210HR0139PN2116 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15