PRINTER'S NO. 1036
No. 79 Session of 1977
INTRODUCED BY SHUMAN, F. TAYLOR, COLE AND ZELLER, APRIL 18, 1977
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, APRIL 19, 1977
In the House of Representatives, April 18, 1977
1 WHEREAS, At the present time, there are large tracts of
2 Federal and State lands lying fallow and not being put to any
3 useful purpose; and
4 WHEREAS, It is extremely unfortunate that at a time when good
5 land is in short supply, that these Federal and State lands
6 could not be put to some productive use that would not interfere
7 with the government's long-range plans for the tracts; and
8 WHEREAS, One possible use for these unused parcels would be
9 for farming since there is a shortage of good, arable farmland
10 in some areas; therefore be it
11 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives of
12 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania appoint a bipartisan committee
13 of five members, three from the majority and two from the
14 minority, to conduct a thorough investigation of unused State
15 and Federal lands with a view toward listing the same and
16 recommending possible short term uses for these lands, such as
17 farming, that would benefit the State and Federal Government and
18 the public as well; and be it further
1 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
2 testimony, and make its investigation at such places as it deems
3 necessary within this Commonwealth. It may issue subpoenas under
4 the hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person to
5 appear before it and to answer questions touching matters
6 properly being inquired into by the committee and to produce
7 such books, papers, records and documents as the committee deems
8 necessary. Such subpoenas may be served upon any person and
9 shall have the force and effect of subpoenas issued out of the
10 courts of this Commonwealth. Any person who willfully neglects
11 or refuses to testify before the committee or to produce any
12 books, papers, records or documents, shall be subject to the
13 penalties provided by the laws of the Commonwealth in such case.
14 Each member of the committee shall have power to administer
15 oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before the
16 committee; and be it further
17 RESOLVED, That within 30 calendar days after the committee
18 has made its report, the chairman of the committee shall cause a
19 record of all expenses incurred by the committee, or the members
20 thereof, which are payable at Commonwealth expense, to be filed
21 with the Speaker of the House and the Speaker shall cause the
22 same to be entered in the journal thereof. No expenses incurred
23 by the committee or any member thereof shall be reimbursable by
24 the Chief Clerk unless such expense shall first have been
25 included as an expense item in the record heretofore required;
26 and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the committee report its findings to the House
28 of Representatives as soon as possible.
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