THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY ARGALL, FONTANA, ALLOWAY, ERICKSON, BOSCOLA, BROWNE, GORDNER AND WAUGH, JANUARY 26, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, JANUARY 26, 2011  

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 22, 2000 (P.L.318, No.32), entitled "An

act encouraging State agencies to locate facilities in a

downtown area; and providing for report to General Assembly,"

further providing for powers and duties of the Department of

General Services.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 4(a) of the act of June 22, 2000

(P.L.318, No.32), known as the Downtown Location Law, is amended

and the section is amended by adding subsections to read:

Section 4.  Powers and duties.

(a)  Guidelines.--The department shall establish guidelines

to encourage State agencies to locate all new office facilities

in downtown areas. The guidelines shall include consideration of

the following factors:

(1)  The requirements of the agency.

(2)  Servicing clientele needs.

(3)  Local economic considerations.

(4)  The availability of suitable space in a downtown

area.

(5)  Competitiveness in the marketplace.

(6)  Cost to the Commonwealth.

(7)  Safety to persons using the office facility.

(8)  The availability of public transportation.

(9)  Compatibility with the economic revitalization plan

for the downtown area.

(10)  Local zoning ordinances.

(a.1)  Denial of requests.--The department shall deny a

request by a State agency to locate outside a downtown area

unless a majority of the factors specified in subsection (a) are

found to be unsatisfactory to the agencies' needs or facility

requirements cannot be met by locating in a downtown area.

(a.2)  Coordination.--The department shall also coordinate

projects with existing public and private sector organizations

committed to community, downtown revitalization and historic

preservation. The coordination shall include seeking a

recommendation from the identified downtown revitalization or

historic preservation organization as to whether, in its

opinion, the needs of the agency could be met based on the

factors specified in subsection (a).

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