PRINTER'S NO. 3406
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2764
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY JAMES, ARMANINI, FREEMAN, GUENST, HENNESSEY,
PICKETT, MENTZER AND ZIMMERMAN, AUGUST 9, 2022
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
AUGUST 9, 2022
AN ACT
Amending Title 32 (Forests, Waters and State Parks) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for heritage
areas; and making a related repeal.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 32 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a part to read:
PART V
CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
Subpart
A. Preliminary Provisions
B. (Reserved)
C. (Reserved)
D. Other Parks
SUBPART A
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Chapter
101. (Reserved)
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CHAPTER 101
(Reserved)
SUBPART B
(Reserved)
SUBPART C
(Reserved)
SUBPART D
OTHER PARKS
Chapter
153. Heritage Areas
CHAPTER 153
HERITAGE AREAS
Sec.
15301. Scope of chapter.
15302. Definitions.
15303. Heritage Area Program.
15304. Designation of heritage areas.
15305. Administration of program.
15306. Program funding.
§ 15301. Scope of chapter.
This chapter relates to the Heritage Area Program.
§ 15302. Definitions.
"Department." The Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources of the Commonwealth.
"Heritage area." A region of the Commonwealth designated
under section 15304(a) (relating to d esignation of heritage
areas) which is managed by an entity identified under section
15304(b).
"Program." The Heritage Area Program established under
section 15303 (relating to Heritage Area Program).
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"Secretary." The Secretary of Conservation and Natural
Resources of the Commonwealth.
§ 15303. Heritage Area Program.
The Heritage Area Program is continued as a program within
the department to identify, protect, develop, enhance and
promote the historical, recreational, natural, cultural and
scenic resources of this Commonwealth and to stimulate community
revitalization and economic development through regional
heritage conservation, recreation, tourism and partnerships.
§ 15304. Designation of heritage areas.
(a) Regions.--The department shall designate regions in this
Commonwealth with nationally significant and Commonwealth-
significant landscapes and historical, cultural, natural and
recreational resources to be heritage areas.
(b) Management of heritage areas.--Upon the designation of a
region under subsection (a), the department shall identify a
nonprofit organization or governmental entity to develop,
protect, interpret and promote the heritage area's historical,
cultural, natural and recreational resources to stimulate
economic and community development.
§ 15305. Administration of program.
(a) Guidelines and policies.--The department shall adopt
program guidelines and policies for the implementation and
administration of the program.
(b) Consultation.--The department shall consult with the
heritage areas on an annual basis to discuss program goals,
guidelines and policies.
§ 15306. Program funding.
(a) Allocation of funding.--The department shall, under
subsection (d), allocate funds appropriated to the department to
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the program for the following purposes:
(1) Management, administration, operation and marketing
of heritage areas.
(2) Planning, implementation, technical assistance and
educational projects and programs related to heritage areas.
(3) Development, construction, rehabilitation, repair,
acquisition, preservation and enhancement of lands, buildings
and other structures related to heritage areas.
(4) Protection, documentation, interpretation and
promotion of the cultural, natural, scenic, recreational and
historical resources of heritage areas.
(5) Establishment of partnerships and coalitions of
governmental and nongovernmental agencies and organizations
to assist heritage areas with the implementation of
management action plans.
(6) Any other activities deemed appropriate by the
department.
(b) Allocation of grants.--A heritage area may use the
funding allocated by the department for the program to provide a
grant to another entity and organization, including a county,
municipality, authority, nonprofit organization, other
authorized organization, private sector firm or business, if the
purpose of the grant meets the requirements of subsection (a).
(c) Eligibility for other funding.--In addition to any other
funding provided to a heritage area, a heritage area shall be
eligible to apply for a grant and loan program administered by
the department or other Federal or State agency or entity.
(d) Process for distribution.--
(1) The department shall distribute funds to the program
based on established program goals, guidelines and policies.
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(2) The department shall allocate all funds appropriated
annually for the program and each State-designated heritage
area shall receive a minimum amount established by the
program goals, guidelines and policies.
(e) Administrative use.--The department may use no more than
5% of the funding appropriated annually for the program for
administrative expenses, including the development of a
strategic plan or other appropriate initiative related to the
administration of the program.
Section 2. Repeals are as follows:
(1) The General Assembly declares that the repeal under
paragraph (2) is necessary to effectuate the addition of 32
Pa.C.S. Ch. 153.
(2) Article XVI-J of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343,
No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, is repealed.
Section 3. The addition of 32 Pa.C.S. Ch. 153 is a
continuation of Article XVI-J of the act of April 9, 1929
(P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code. The following
apply:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in 32 Pa.C.S. Ch. 153,
all activities initiated under the Article XVI-J of The
Fiscal Code shall continue and remain in full force and
effect and may be completed under 32 Pa.C.S. Ch. 153. Orders,
regulations, rules and decisions which were made under
Article XVI-J of The Fiscal Code and which are in effect on
the effective date of this section shall remain in full force
and effect until revoked, vacated or modified under 32
Pa.C.S. Ch. 153. Contracts, obligations and collective
bargaining agreements entered into under Article XVI-J of The
Fiscal Code are not affected nor impaired by the repeal of
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Article XVI-J of The Fiscal Code.
(2) Any difference in language between 32 Pa.C.S. Ch.
153 and Article XVI-J of The Fiscal Code is intended only to
conform to the style of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes and is not intended to change or affect the
legislative intent, judicial construction or administration
and implementation of Article XVI-J of The Fiscal Code.
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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