PA
Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB277

Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB277

Introduced
1/31/23  
Refer
1/31/23  
Engrossed
6/5/23  
Refer
6/6/23  
Refer
5/7/24  
Report Pass
5/8/24  
Refer
6/3/24  
Report Pass
6/3/24  
Enrolled
6/4/24  
Chaptered
6/10/24  

Caption

In Center for Rural Pennsylvania, further providing for board of directors; establishing the Rural Population Revitalization Commission and providing for duties of the commission; and making a repeal.

Impact

The bill significantly amends the existing Rural Pennsylvania Revitalization Act, which had initially focused on economic development, education partnerships, and funding for health science practitioners. The new commission will actively solicit input from local communities, conduct public hearings, and develop action plans aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of demographic shifts. This action is particularly focused on fostering increased participation in the 2020 Census, promoting education and job opportunities, and improving access to healthcare and other essential services.

Summary

Senate Bill 277, introduced to further the aims of rural revitalization in Pennsylvania, establishes the Rural Population Revitalization Commission. This commission is tasked with reviewing and recommending strategies to address the challenges attributed to declining populations in rural areas. The revisions to existing legislation aim to enhance the governance of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania while ensuring the active engagement of diverse stakeholders in addressing local needs.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment surrounding SB 277 appears to be cautiously optimistic. Supporters view the bill as a necessary step towards revitalizing rural communities and addressing the specific challenges they face. However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of such a commission in translating recommendations into actionable policies and the potential for bureaucratic delays in addressing urgent local issues.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential for overlap with existing services and programs aimed at rural revitalization. Critics argue that without adequate funding and resources, the commission may struggle to effectively fulfill its mandate. Furthermore, the bill’s success will depend heavily on the willingness of local entities to collaborate and participate actively in commission-led initiatives. Ensuring diverse representation on the commission may also pose challenges, particularly in regions where community engagement is historically low.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2225

Establishing the Rural Population Revitalization Commission and providing for duties of the commission; and establishing the Rural Population Revitalization Fund.

PA HB767

Establishing the Pennsylvania Socially Diverse Farmers Commission and providing for its powers and duties.

PA SB768

In Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority, further providing for Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority; and, in Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Fund, further providing for money in fund.

PA HB746

In Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, further providing for organization of commission; and, in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for organization of commission.

PA SB681

In administrative organization, further providing for departmental administrative boards, commissions, and offices; in organization of departmental administrative boards and commissions and of advisory boards and commissions, further providing for advisory boards and commissions and repealing provisions relating to Environmental Quality Board; in powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture and its departmental administrative commission, further providing for seasonal farm labor; in powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Resources, its officers and departmental and advisory boards and commissions, further providing for Environmental Quality Board and for powers of Environmental Quality Board.

PA HB1630

Establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers and duties; establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians Restricted Account; and establishing the Advisory Committee to Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers, duties and membership.

PA HB1113

Establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers and duties; establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians Restricted Account; and establishing the Advisory Committee to Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers, duties and membership.

PA HB1508

In Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, further providing for organization of commission; and, in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for organization of commission.

PA HB1351

In public assistance, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care and providing for emergency transportation services and for case-mix rates for nursing facilities; in Statewide quality care assessment, further providing for definitions, for implementation, for administration, for restricted account and for expiration; continuing the Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority and the Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Fund; and making a repeal.

PA HB1440

In Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for powers and duties of commission; in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for classes of licenses and for license costs and fees; and making an editorial change.

Similar Bills

PA HB157

In Pennsylvania Preferred® Trademark, further providing for definitions, for Pennsylvania Preferred® trademark, for licensee qualification, for duties and authority of department, for trademark license agreement, application and licensure process, for costs, for Pennsylvania Preferred® Trademark Licensing Fund, for injunctive relief, for rules and regulations and for purpose, repealing provisions relating to definitions and further providing for qualified veterans and qualified veteran business entities.

PA SR108

Congratulating The Pennsylvania State University wrestling team on its 11th National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Championship and Pennsylvania residents who competed and placed during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Wrestling Championship.

PA HB997

Authorizing the provision or sale of Pennsylvania milk in Pennsylvania schools.

PA SB297

Authorizing the provision or sale of Pennsylvania milk in Pennsylvania schools.

PA HB179

Authorizing the provision or sale of Pennsylvania milk in Pennsylvania schools.

PA SB463

Authorizing the provision or sale of Pennsylvania milk in Pennsylvania schools.

PA HB2273

In licenses and regulations and liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for Pennsylvania Malt and Brewed Beverages Industry Promotion Board and for Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and Research Program Board; and, in distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses, bailees for hire and transporters for hire, establishing the Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board.

PA HB552

Providing for the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System and the Green Alert System and for duties of the Pennsylvania State Police; assessing costs; providing for immunity and penalties; and making a repeal.