Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB222

Introduced
2/3/25  

Caption

Providing for grant oversight.

Impact

The bill is expected to have significant implications for how grants are managed across the state. For instance, provisions within the bill mandate that grant money not utilized for its intended purpose must be returned to the Commonwealth, a measure aimed at safeguarding public funds. The bill also prohibits the payment of bonuses using grant money, which underscores a strict accountability framework for financial management within state-funded projects. Overall, the legislation is designed to foster transparency and responsibility in the use of state grants, potentially leading to more effective execution of funded initiatives.

Summary

Senate Bill 222 aims to enhance grant oversight within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by establishing clear guidelines and requirements for the administration and distribution of grants. The bill amends the Fiscal Code to introduce a new article focused specifically on grant oversight. This includes definitions of key terms such as 'Commonwealth agency', 'grantee', and 'grantor', stipulating the relationship between state agencies and external entities receiving funding. One major feature is the requirement for grantees to demonstrate due diligence in securing additional funding, ensuring that Commonwealth funds are utilized effectively and efficiently while also maintaining a competitive application process for larger projects.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding SB222 appears to be largely supportive, especially among accountability advocates who view the bill as a vital step toward minimizing waste and enhancing the integrity of grant systems. However, some concerns have been raised about the rigidity it could impose on grantees, particularly nonprofits and smaller entities that rely heavily on flexible funding sources. The emphasis on competitive applications and detailed reporting requirements may be seen by some as cumbersome, potentially hindering smaller organizations' ability to secure necessary grants.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the strict repayment clauses that could financially penalize grantees for misrepresentations or unspent funds. Some critics argue this could create a chilling effect on smaller organizations that may feel overwhelmed by the fear of financial repercussions. Additionally, the granularity of monitoring and reporting requirements may lead to increased administrative burdens for grantees. There is a balance to be struck between ensuring accountability and allowing flexibility for organizations operating in varied and often volatile environments.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB567

Providing for grant oversight.

PA HB1277

Providing for Federal funds oversight.

PA HB2398

In transfers of credits between institutions of higher education, further providing for definitions and for duties of public institutions of higher education, providing for guaranteed admission, for reports to General Assembly and for dispute resolution and further providing for Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee, for duties of department and for applicability; in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for definitions and providing for student fee transparency; and providing for institutions of higher education and Dual Credit Innovation and Equity Grant Program.

PA HB1300

In emergency COVID-19 response, providing for

PA SB1150

In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and providing for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; providing for institutions of higher education, for Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program and for intercollegiate athletics; in ready-to-succeed scholarship, further providing for agency; and making a repeal.

PA SB1056

In Treasury Department, further providing for investment of moneys; establishing the Keystone Saves Program, the Keystone Saves Program Fund, the Keystone Saves Administrative Fund and the Keystone Saves Program Advisory Board; providing for powers and duties of the Treasury Department, for investment and fiduciary responsibilities and for program implementation; and providing for the electric vehicle road user charge effective date.

PA SB757

In Treasury Department, establishing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program and the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Fund; in bonus and tax reports and returns and reports and records relating to tax collections, further providing for confidential information; in tax credits, further providing for Department of Community and Economic Development; in 2022-2023 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Education; and making a repeal.

PA HB1702

Providing for 2023-2024 budget implementation.

PA SB700

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in intermediate units, further providing for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, further providing for qualifications; in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates, for career and technical instruction and for baccalaureate certification basic skills assessment; in Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program, further providing for definitions, for program establishment and duties of agency, for eligibility and for report; in school safety and security, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program and for school safety and security training and providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2024-2025 school year; in school security, further providing for duties of commission, providing for school security personnel and establishing School Security Personnel Fund; in school security, further providing for duties of commission and providing for school security personnel and for School Security Personnel Fund; in school health services, further providing for vision screening and examinations; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for establishment and payment of tuition; in administrative partnerships between school entities, further providing for legislative intent and for definitions, providing for instructional programming partnerships authorized, for school district feasibility study and for construction and further providing for establishment, for application, for grant awards, for technical assistance, for reports by school entities and for reports by department; in talent recruitment, further providing for Talent Recruitment Account; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification and providing for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; in disability inclusive curriculum, further providing for department responsibilities; in Schools-to-Work-Program, repealing provisions relating to expiration; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions, for qualification and application by organizations, for tax credits and for limitations, repealing provisions relating to opportunity scholarships and providing for economically disadvantaged school scholarships; in course materials at institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to College Textbook Policies Advisory Committee; in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for memorandum of understanding; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to Public Higher Education Funding Commission; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2024-2025; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums and for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, further providing for State reimbursement for health services, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Commonwealth reimbursements for charter schools and cyber charter schools, repealing provisions relating to administrative and instructional consolidation incentives and further providing for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in State Board of Education, further providing for powers and duties of the board; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; in School Environmental Repairs Program, further providing for School Environmental Repairs Program Restricted Account and for School Environmental Repairs Program; and making editorial changes.

PA SB989

In additional special funds and restricted accounts, providing for Safe Path Restricted Account; and making a transfer.

Similar Bills

VA HB552

Income tax, corporate; sourcing of sales other than sales of tangible personal property.

VA HB552

Income tax, corporate; sourcing of sales other than sales of tangible personal property.

PA SB567

Providing for grant oversight.

PA HB1579

Providing for Commonwealth grant accountability and transparency.

PA HB1254

Providing for internal auditing; and imposing duties on the Auditor General.

VA HB1194

Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act; affordable housing grants.

PA HB44

Providing for improper payments; and providing for participation in Do-Not-Pay Initiative.

PA HB330

Providing for improper payments; providing for participation in Do-Not-Pay Initiative; and imposing a penalty.