THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY WATERS, DENLINGER AND WAGNER, MARCH 17, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 17, 2011  

AN ACT

Providing for oversight and review of capital projects;

establishing the Capital Projects Oversight Board and

providing for its powers and duties.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Capital

Projects Oversight Act.

Section 2.  Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Board."  The Capital Projects Oversight Board established in

section 3.

Section 3.  Capital Projects Oversight Board.

The Capital Projects Oversight Board is established in order

to provide review and oversight of capital projects. The board

shall also assist in providing information relating to ways each

specific project benefits the community at large.

Section 4.  Membership.

The board shall consist of members who reflect the racial and

ethnic diversity of this Commonwealth. The Governor shall

designate one of the appointed members as chairperson of the

board. The following shall serve as members on the board:

(1)  One member appointed by the President pro tempore of

the Senate.

(2)  One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the

Senate.

(3)  One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of

Representatives.

(4)  One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the

House of Representatives.

(5)  Five members from across this Commonwealth appointed

by the Governor.

Section 5.  Term of office.

The terms of office for appointed board members shall be two

years and until their successors have been appointed, but no

member shall serve more than six months beyond the expiration of

the member's term unless reappointed. In no event shall a member

serve more than two terms. Terms of office of members shall

expire on the third Tuesday of January of each odd-numbered

year. In the case of a vacancy in a position filled by

appointment of the Governor, the Governor shall make an

appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. In the case

of a vacancy in a position filled by appointment of a

legislative leader, that legislative leader shall make an

appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.

Section 6.  Quorum and meetings.

The board shall meet at least twice per year, as well as at

the call of the Governor. A majority of the members of the board

shall constitute a quorum.

Section 7.  Compensation and expenses.

(a)  Compensation.--The members of the board shall serve

without compensation. However, members other than the Governor

shall be entitled to receive traveling and other reasonable

expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

(b)  Expenses.--The expenses of the board provided for in

this section shall be borne by the Executive Office of the

Governor.

Section 8.  Publication of projects on Internet.

The board, within 120 days of the final appointment to the

initial board, shall electronically publish on the Internet a

list of the projects for which the board has oversight as well

as the times and dates of all board meetings.

Section 9.  Annual report.

The board shall, no later than July 1 of each year, prepare a

comprehensive annual report detailing its review of each capital

project.

Section 10.  Applicability.

This act shall only apply to capital projects involving

expenditures over $5,000,000.

Section 11.  Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 120 days.