Regular Session 2021-2022 Senate Bill 0700 P.N. 0828

PRINTER'S NO. 828

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

700

Session of

2021

INTRODUCED BY BARTOLOTTA, ARGALL, LAUGHLIN, PHILLIPS-HILL AND

MARTIN, MAY 28, 2021

REFERRED TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MAY 28, 2021

AN ACT

Establishing the Pennsylvania Commission on African American

Affairs, the Pennsylvania Commission on Asian Pacific

American Affairs, the Pennsylvania Commission on Latino

Affairs, the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs and the

Pennsylvania Commission on Women; establishing the

Commonwealth Commissions Fund; and providing for 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 Commonwealth

Commissions 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:

"Commission." A commission established under section 3(a).

"Fund." The Commonwealth Commissions Fund established under

section 3.

Section 3. Establishment of independent commissions.

(a) Establishment.--The following independent commissions

are established:

(1) The Pennsylvania Commission on African American

Affairs.

(2) The Pennsylvania Commission on Asian Pacific

American Affairs.

(3) The Pennsylvania Commission on Latino Affairs.

(4) The Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs.

(5) The Pennsylvania Commission on Women.

(b) Membership.--Subject to subsection (f), each commission

shall consist of 40 individuals who must reside in this

Commonwealth appointed as follows:

(1) Eight individuals by the Governor.

(2) Eight individuals by the Majority Leader of the

Senate.

(3) Eight individuals by the Minority Leader of the

Senate.

(4) Eight individuals by the Majority Leader of the

House of Representatives.

(5) Eight individuals by the Minority Leader of the

House of Representatives.

authority under subsection (b) shall appoint to each commission,

subject to subsection (f), at least one individual under 29

years of age, one individual 65 years of age or older, one

individual who is an educational professional and one individual

who is a health care professional. No active member of the

Senate or House of Representatives may serve on any commission

established under subsection (a).

(d) Diversity.--All members of each commission shall be

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drawn from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, age, sexual

orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic backgrounds in

this Commonwealth.

(e) Term and vacancy.--Each member of each commission under

subsection (a) shall serve a term of two years, beginning on

the first legislative day of each new regular session of the

General Assembly. A member may serve for a period longer than

two years until their successor is appointed. An appointment to

the commissions may be selected beginning December 1 of each

year prior to the start of a new regular legislative session. A

member of each commission may be removed from the commission

with a two-thirds vote of all then-currently serving

commissioners. A vacancy in the membership of a commission shall

be filled by the original appointing authority for the balance

of the unexpired term.

(f) Civic organization.--An appointment to a commission

under subsection (a) shall be made in consultation with civic

organizations incorporated in this Commonwealth that are

stakeholders related to the mission of each commission. A

nomination to each commission shall be solicited between

September 1 and November 1 of each year preceding the start of a

new session of the General Assembly through an open application

process using a uniform application that is widely distributed

throughout this Commonwealth by the Office of Administration.

Each appointing authority shall select among the eligible

candidates who have completed the application.

(g) Chairperson.--Each commission shall elect a chairperson

at the start of each regular term from among its members. The

chairperson of each commission may designate one or more

commission members as vice chairs of the commission. The

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chairperson, or a majority of members of each commission, may

create advisory committees on important sectors of policy such

as education, health care, human services, workforce

development, rural concerns, older adults or youths and appoint

members of the commission as chairs of the advisory committees

and members for the advisory committees. In the event of a

vacancy of a chair, the executive director of each commission or

a representative from the Office of Administration shall serve

as an interim chairperson.

(h) Meetings.--Each commission shall meet quarterly in

person. If an in-person meeting is not practical as designated

by either an order of the Governor, an equivalent individual or

the commission chair, a virtual meeting shall be acceptable.

(i) Compensation.--The members of each commission may

receive no compensation for services, but shall be reimbursed

for any usual and customary expenses incurred in the performance

of commission duties through the Office of Administration.

(j) Mission.--Each commission's mission shall be to issue

recommendations on policies, procedures, legislation and

regulations that affect the communities each commission

represents on an ongoing basis to the Governor, the General

Assembly, various State agencies and departments. The following

shall apply:

(1) Each commission's mission shall include

investigation of the use of resources from both the public

and private sectors to enhance and improve the ability of

State agencies to provide services to the communities in this

Commonwealth.

(2) Each commission shall:

(i) Serve as a resource for community organizations

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and provide forums for developing strategies and programs

that will expand and enhance the civic, social,

educational, cultural and economic status of the

communities in this Commonwealth.

(ii) Work in partnership with various Federal, State

and local agencies and departments to promote community-

based programs focusing on urgent issues impacting this

Commonwealth.

(iii) Annually, on or before June 1 of each year,

report the results of its findings and activities of the

preceding year and make recommendations relating to the

concerns of residents of this Commonwealth to the

Governor, the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk

of the House of Representatives for distribution to

members of the General Assembly.

(3) Each commission may identify programs, scholarships,

mentoring programs, sources of funding or other resources for

the benefit and advancement of the communities in this

Commonwealth.

(k) Powers and duties.--Each commission shall be able to:

(1) Use voluntary and uncompensated services of private

individuals, agencies and organizations that may from time to

time be offered or required.

(2) Recommend policies and make recommendations to

agencies and officers of the Commonwealth and local

subdivisions of government to effectuate the purposes of

this act.

(3) Subject to appropriation:

(i) select an executive director and acquire

adequate staff to perform the duties of each commission;

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and

(ii) establish and maintain offices that the

commission considers necessary.

(4) Enact bylaws for governance of each commission.

(5) Hold regular public meetings and fact-finding

hearings or other public forums as each commission considers

necessary.

(l) Administrative support.--The executive director of each

commission shall be based in the Office of Administration and

shall receive administrative supplies and support through the

Office of Administration.

(m) Assistance and appropriation.--The Commonwealth

Commissions Fund is established in the State Treasury. The

General Assembly may appropriate money to the fund for the

purpose of this act. Each commission may request information and

assistance as needed from any State agency as the commission may

require. Each commission may accept and solicit funds, including

any gifts, donations, grants or bequests or any Federal funds

for deposit in the fund.

Section 4. Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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