Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB215

Introduced
3/8/23  

Caption

Requiring school districts to provide annual notice relating to certain pension and other postemployment benefit obligations; and providing for property disclosure statement and for duty of State Real Estate Commission.

Impact

This legislation has the potential to significantly impact state laws relating to education and public finance. By requiring detailed disclosures on pension obligations, the bill may prompt school districts to adopt more rigorous fiscal strategies and oversight measures. This transparency requirement could alter the way school boards approach budgeting and financial planning, potentially leading to a more sustainable management of retirement benefits for employees while ensuring that they meet their obligations effectively.

Summary

House Bill 215 mandates that school districts notify stakeholders about certain pension and postemployment benefit obligations. The intent of the bill is to increase transparency regarding the financial responsibilities of school districts towards their current and retired employees. By providing this annual notice, the bill aims to ensure that relevant parties are fully informed about the liabilities that the school districts carry, which may affect financial planning and investments in the local educational infrastructure.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 215 appears to be generally supportive among legislators and stakeholders emphasizing fiscal responsibility and transparency. Proponents argue that this oversight is crucial for maintaining the integrity of financial commitments made to educators and staff. However, there may be some concerns raised by local districts about the administrative burden of complying with new reporting requirements, which could impact how they allocate resources.

Contention

While the bill seems to be largely favored, the notable points of contention may revolve around the additional reporting requirements it imposes on school districts. Critics may argue that such requirements could place an undue strain on smaller districts with limited administrative capacities. Furthermore, some stakeholders may question whether the proposed disclosures will achieve the intended effect of improving financial transparency or if they might instead become a bureaucratic hurdle that distracts from educational priorities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB51

Requiring school districts to provide annual notice relating to certain pension and other postemployment benefit obligations; and providing for property disclosure statement and for duty of State Real Estate Commission.

PA SB369

Providing for property owner's bill of rights statement.

PA HB1704

In general provisions relating to residential real property, further providing for definitions; in seller disclosures, further providing for disclosure form and providing for website information and for flood disclosure; and imposing duties on the Insurance Department.

PA SB550

In ethics standards and financial disclosure, further providing for statement of financial interests required to be filed and for powers and duties of commission.

PA SB30

Provides relative to annual financial disclosure statements by certain elected officials and public servants. (8/1/24)

PA HB1649

Eliminating school district property taxes; imposing county and school district taxes; establishing the School District Emergency Fund and the School District Property Tax Elimination Fund; consolidating Articles II and III of the Tax Reform Code of 1971; in preliminary provisions relating to sales and use tax, providing for definitions; in taxation generally relating to sales and use tax, providing for exclusions and for transfer to county sales and use tax accounts; in preliminary provisions relating to personal income tax, providing for definitions; and making repeals.

PA HB141

Provides relative to deadlines and time periods for certain filings and notices relative to financial disclosure statements

PA HB2370

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for adequacy and tax equity supplements and for accountability to Commonwealth taxpayers and further providing for Pennsylvania accountability grants.

PA HB1394

Repealing provisions relating to inheritance tax; in procedure and administration, further providing for petition for reassessment; and, in governmental obligations, further providing for taxability of government obligations.

PA HB1422

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.