Regular Session 2023-2024 House Bill 2225 P.N. 2965

PRINTER'S NO. 2965

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

2225

Session of

2024

INTRODUCED BY PASHINSKI, MOUL, HILL-EVANS, STAMBAUGH,

SCHLOSSBERG, CAUSER, HOWARD, SHUSTERMAN, ROZZI, SANCHEZ,

KINSEY, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, KENYATTA, ZIMMERMAN, CONKLIN, BURGOS,

KINKEAD, PROBST AND KHAN, APRIL 17, 2024

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,

APRIL 17, 2024

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 30, 1987 (P.L.163, No.16), entitled "An

act providing for the revitalization of rural Pennsylvania;

establishing the Center for Rural Pennsylvania; providing for

rural education partnerships and adult literacy programs;

allocating funds appropriated to the Department of Commerce

for a Regional Center for Continuing Education of Health

Science Practitioners in western Pennsylvania; making

appropriations; and making a repeal," establishing the Rural

Population Revitalization Commission and providing for duties

of the commission; and establishing the Rural Population

Revitalization Fund.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The act of June 30, 1987 (P.L.163, No.16), known

as the Rural Pennsylvania Revitalization Act, is amended by

adding a chapter to read:

CHAPTER 4

RURAL POPULATION REVITALIZATION COMMISSION

Section 401. Scope of chapter.

This chapter relates to the Rural Population Revitalization

Commission.

Section 402. 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." The Rural Population Revitalization Commission

established in section 403.

"Rural county." A county located in this Commonwealth with a

population density less than 291 people per square mile, or as

otherwise defined by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

"Rural school district." A public school district located in

this Commonwealth with a population density less than 291 people

per square mile, or as otherwise defined by the Center for Rural

Pennsylvania.

Section 403. Establishment.

The Rural Population Revitalization Commission is

established.

Section 404. Duties.

(a) Reviews and recommendations.-- After issuing an initial

report under subsection(b)(12), the commission shall issue a

biennial report on population change in rural areas of this

Commonwealth which shall include reviews and recommendations

aimed at attracting and retaining residents in rural

Pennsylvania while addressing challenges facing rural

communities due to population shifts and changing demographics.

Reviews and recommendations shall include, but not be limited

to, the following areas:

(1) Increasing participation in the Federal decennial

census.

(2) Attracting and retaining residents in rural

Pennsylvania.

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(3) Education and career opportunities.

(4) Access to health care.

(5) Affordable housing.

(6) Access to social services.

(7) Current issues facing rural Pennsylvania.

(8) Grant awards and tax credit opportunities for rural

Pennsylvania residents and businesses.

(9) Statutory and regulatory costs and impacts on rural

municipal governments, businesses and communities.

(10) Other issues facing rural Pennsylvania as

identified by the commission.

(b) Additional powers and duties.--The commission shall have

the following additional powers and duties:

(1) Review, make findings and offer recommendations

related to addressing and mitigating rural population shifts

in this Commonwealth.

(2) Consult with and utilize experts to assist the

commission in carrying out the duties under this subsection.

(3) Receive input from interested parties.

(4) Hold public hearings in different regions of this

Commonwealth. Virtual public hearings may be utilized by the

commission.

(5) Review and consider rural development strategies

utilized throughout the United States.

(6) Review the administration and operation of State and

regional programs and services and make recommendations to

implement new policies, statutes and regulations on improving

quality of life and attracting residents to rural

communities.

(7) Recommend proposed legislation and regulatory

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changes based on the commission's findings.

(8) Create and maintain a database on rural

Pennsylvania's demographic conditions and trends.

(9) Establish subcommittees, including noncommission

members subject to the approval of the chairperson, to

address specific population change issues.

(10) Provide periodic estimates on the fiscal impact of

population changes to local governments, such as projected

changes in tax revenue resulting from population changes.

(11) Collect and distribute information about available

public grants, services and resources available to rural

communities.

(12) Not later than 90 days after the effective date of

this paragraph the commission shall convene its first meeting

under section 406 and no later than two year s after the first

meeting the commission shall transmit an initial report of

the commission's findings and recommendations to the

following:

(i) The Governor.

(ii) All members of the Senate and the House of

Representatives.

(i ii) The Center for Rural Pennsylvania's publicly

accessible Internet website.

Section 405. Membership.

(a) Members.--The commission shall consist of the following

members:

(1) Three individuals appointed by the Governor,

including one individual representing the State System of

Higher Education.

(2) Two members from the Senate appointed by the

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President pro tempore of the Senate, one from the majority

party and one from the minority party.

(3) Two members from the House of Representatives

appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one

from the majority party and one from the minority party.

(4) The director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania or

a designee.

( 5) An individual selected by the chairperson from an

organization representing the interests of legal immigrants

in rural communities.

(6) A representative from the Pennsylvania Office of

Rural Health.

(7) A young adult selected from a Statewide general farm

organization selected by the chairperson.

(8) A representative from the County Commissioners

Association of Pennsylvania who holds office in a rural

county.

(9) A representative from the County Commissioners

Association of Pennsylvania's Human Services Committee from a

rural county.

(10) A representative from the Pennsylvania School

Boards Association from a rural school district.

(11) A representative from the Pennsylvania Chamber of

Business and Industry who resides in or operates a business

in a rural county.

(12) The executive director of the Rural Development

Council or a designee.

(13) A certified community health worker from a rural

county selected by the Pennsylvania Community Health Worker

Collaborative.

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(b) Chairperson.--The executive director of the Center for

Rural Pennsylvania shall serve as chairperson of the commission

until the commission elects a chairperson from the membership.

The members of the commission shall elect a vice chairperson

from among the members of the commission. The member elected

vice chairperson shall serve in that capacity for the ensuing

term.

shall:

(1) have knowledge of problems facing rural communities

in this Commonwealth;

(2) have experience in advocacy relating to rural

issues; or

(3) provide leadership in programs or activities that

improve the quality of life for rural communities or attract

and retain residents in rural Pennsylvania.

(d) Terms.--The term of office of all members of the

commission shall be two years. Each member shall be eligible to

be reappointed to the commission.

Section 406. Meetings.

The commission shall hold its first meeting within 90 days of

the effective date of this section, with quorum based upon the

majority of the members who have been appointed. The commission

shall hold meetings at the call of the chairperson on no less

than four different dates annually.

Section 407. Expenses.

T he members of the commission shall serve without salary or

compensation, but shall be entitled to expenses that are

reasonable and necessary to perform their duties.

Section 408. Administrative support.

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The Center for Rural Pennsylvania staff shall provide

administrative support, meeting space and any other assistance

required by the commission to carry out the commission's duties

under this chapter.

Section 409. Establishment of Rural Population Revitalization

Fund.

(a) Fund established.--There is established the Rural

Population Revitalization Fund, which shall be an interest

bearing restricted revenue account, in which shall be deposited

as money is appropriated, given, granted or donated to the

commission, or to the programs provided for in Chapter 5, by the

Federal Government, the Commonwealth or any other governmental

or private agency or person.

(b) Use of fund.--Money deposited into the fund and interest

earned on money deposited into the fund shall be used solely for

the purpose of carrying out the provisions of C hapters 4 and 5.

Section 410. Grants.

(a) Purpose.--In exercising its powers and duties under the

provisions of this act and in order to improve planning

capabilities for rural communities impacted by population

shifts, the commission may make grants available in order to

fulfill the commission's duties under section 404.

(b) Grant guidelines.--Any grant program proposed by the

commission shall not be established until rules and guidelines

are promulgated and approved by two-thirds of the members.

report that includes the recipient, purpose and value of each

grant awarded.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 180 days.

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