Community, Economic & Recreational Development 2021-2022
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Monday, October 17, 2022
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Monday, June 20, 2022 to vote the following bills:
HR 203 – Recognizing and Commemorating the 132st Anniversary of Korean American Citizenship
HB1952 – Amending The Administrative Code of 1929, in United States Semiquincentennial, providing for infrastructure improvements and projects.
HB2265 – Amending Title 64 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, further providing for certification of economic development organizations and providing for annual report.
All were reported out unanimously.
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to consider the following bill:
HB 1694 (Struzzi) – Amends the Recreational Use of Land and Water Act (RULWA) by extending legal protections to volunteers, volunteer organizations, and those who the landowner invites onto their property.
- The bill was reported out of committee by an unanimous vote.
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 to consider the following bill:
SB 1159 (Brooks) – Extension of Act 118 of 2020 (Small Games of Chance – 60% of proceeds for General Operating Expenses for Clubs).
SB 1159 was reported out of committee unanimously.
SB 643 (Laughlin) – 50/50 split of proceeds for club licensees under the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act.
SB 643 was reported out of committee unanimously.
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 to consider the following bill:
SB 1163 (Yudichak) – An Act amending the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, in State lottery, further providing for definitions and providing for disclosure of certain prizewinner identities.
Reported out unanimously
The Community, Economic & Recreational Development and Environmental Resources & Energy Committees held a Joint Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 on Economic Impacts of RGGI
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 to consider the following bills and amendments:
SB 962 (Langerholc) – An Act establishing the Rural Coworking and Innovation Center Grant Program, and providing for requirements and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development. Reported as amended 11-1, Senator Laughlin voted No.
A03427 – Technical amendment based on DCED feedback, increased matching requirement to 1:1 in line with other DCED grant programs. Adopted 12-0
A03557 – Expands program eligibility to rural municipalities within urban counties. Adopted 12-0
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 to consider the following bills and amendments:
Senate Bill 797: Amends the Neighborhood Improvement District Act of December 20, 2000 (P.L. 949, No. 130).
A03241: Technical amendment delineating allocation of gross revenues.
Senate Bill 977: Amends Title 64 (Public Authorities and Quasi-Public Corporations) of the PA Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth Financing Authority, providing for Economic Recovery Grant program, imposing a duty to report to the General Assembly, and making an appropriation.
A03182: Clarifies eligibility standards.
Both amendments were adopted unanimously and both bills were reported unanimously as amended.
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 on improving Pennsylvania’s innovation economy – invent Penn State:
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 to consider the following bill and amendment:
SB 881 (Langerholc) – An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for Safe Exchange Zone Program.
Amendment No. A01770 – This amendment is technical in nature and largely provides for clarifications on the responsibilities of local governments.
Both the Bill and the Amendment passed unanimously.
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 to consider the following bills and amendments:
SB 635 – Amends Title 12 to expand the existing Pennsylvania Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (“C-PACE”) to include multifamily housing, and expands eligible upgrades to include indoor air quality (e.g. COVID-19 mitigation) and resiliency improvements.
Amendment No. A02437 – This amendment clarifies several definitions and adds certain requirements for actions related to assessments on affected properties.
SB 830 – Amends Title 64 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Public Authorities and Quasi Public Corporations), establishing the Veteran-owned Business Loan Guarantee Program within the Commonwealth Financing Authority (“Authority”).
Amendment No. A02441 – Technical amendment clarifying language related to the transfer of funds form Second Stage Loan Program.
Both Amendments were adopted unanimously, both bills were reported unanimously.
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 to consider the following bill:
SB 706 (Sen Robinson) – An Act providing for advanced manufacturing facilities and infrastructures through business partnerships with State-related institutions; establishing the Max Manufacturing Initiative Fund and Max Manufacturing Venture Loan Fund; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Amendment No. A02272 – Technical amendment that adds definition of “facility;” renames the loan program as the “Max Manufacturing Endeavor Loan Fund;” removes “in-kind contributions” as a matching fund option; clarifies that the grant process shall be competitive; and eliminates the requirement for the Department of Community and Economic Development to provide technical assistance.
The amendment and bill were both passed unanimously.
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 to consider the below legislation:
SB 594 (Sen J. Ward) – Amends the Fiscal Code by creating the Nonprofit Economic Emergency Delivery Grants Program (NEEDS), providing for appropriations for COVID-19 response.
Amendment No. A01651 – Redefines “current fiscal year;” provides that funding goes directly to the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA); increases time period from 30 to 90 days for the CFA to develop program guidelines and an official grant application; removes the requirement for program guidelines to be published in the PA Bulletin, as well as a notification when funds are exhausted.
The Amendment and Bill were both Adopted Unanimously.
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee held a a public hearing Monday, June 14, 2021 on the sustainability of gaming in Pennsylvania
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee held a a public hearing Monday, June 7, 2021 on skill game regulation with the Gaming Control Board
The Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee met on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 and reported the following
SB 154 PN 133 – This bill amends the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act (Act 47) by creating the Distressed Municipalities Recovery Fund. It also Directs 1/18th of the Johnstown Flood Tax to this fund.
Reported as Committed by a vote of 9-5
Senator Amanda Cappelletti
Committee Chair