Pennsylvania House Bill HR438

Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/20/24
• Refer: 5/20/24

Caption

Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and establish an advisory committee to determine the impact on Pennsylvania taxpayers of Pennsylvania State Police full or partial police services for municipalities that do not maintain full police coverage.

Impact

The resolution acknowledges that many municipalities in Pennsylvania either lack a local police department or provide only partial coverage, relying instead on the Pennsylvania State Police. In a continuing trend, the number of municipalities depending on state police coverage has been growing. This trend necessitates a closer examination of the financial implications and the potential burden on taxpayers. Additionally, the resolution emphasizes the need for equitable resource distribution among communities, ensuring that all Pennsylvanians receive adequate public safety services without incurring disproportionate costs.

Summary

House Resolution 438 directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and establish an advisory committee aimed at assessing the financial impact on Pennsylvania taxpayers resulting from the Pennsylvania State Police providing full or partial police services to municipalities that do not have their own police departments. This includes examining the costs associated with these services and how they affect the local tax burden, which is essential as more municipalities increasingly rely on state police for law enforcement. Given the importance of local governance and law enforcement, this study seeks to evaluate the sustainability of these services in the context of taxpayer resources.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HR438 appears supportive among legislators, as evidenced by the broad bipartisan sponsorship from various representatives who recognize the necessity of this assessment. However, it may also attract concerns from municipalities that are wary of potential fees or financial obligations that could emerge from the findings of the advisory committee, particularly those that currently depend on state police coverage. The potential financial strain on municipalities could evoke varying sentiments depending on the outcomes of the proposed study.

Contention

A notable point of contention revolves around the potential imposition of fees on municipalities that rely entirely on the Pennsylvania State Police. The committee is tasked with recommending how to allocate costs fairly among municipalities, which raises fears of increased taxation or budgetary implications for local governments. As the resolution promotes the study of police services in the context of municipal governance, the findings could lead to discussions on whether to reallocate funds traditionally used for road maintenance and infrastructure to cover police services, igniting debates over financial priorities in local and state budgets.