Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB408

Introduced
3/10/25  

Caption

Requiring the Department of General Services to develop a plan for divesting certain properties owned by the Commonwealth.

Impact

The bill's impact on state laws revolves around the management of public assets. By requiring a strategic plan for property divestiture, SB 408 promotes a proactive approach to state property management. This aligns with broader efforts to streamline government operations and reduce unnecessary fiscal liabilities. If successful, the divestiture could result in financial savings for the state, addressing both maintenance costs and the potential for generating revenue through property sales. The plan must also consider the condition of the properties and the associated costs of maintenance, refurbishing, or demolition.

Summary

Senate Bill 408 aims to mandate the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to formulate a comprehensive plan for divesting certain state-owned properties. The properties listed for divestiture include the White Haven Center, Hamburg Center, and Polk Center. The bill strives to address the management and financial burdens associated with these properties by establishing a structured process for their sale or transfer to private buyers. This initiative is positioned as a means to enhance the efficiency of state property management and potentially reduce ongoing costs related to the upkeep of these facilities.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 408 appears to be cautiously optimistic, with proponents advocating its necessity for fiscal responsibility. Supporters argue that divesting non-essential properties can streamline state operations, alleviate budgetary pressures, and ultimately lead to more effective use of state funds. However, there may also be concerns regarding the future use of these properties, the community impact once they are sold, and whether they could provide services in the public interest if maintained by the state instead.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding the specific properties chosen for divestiture and how their future owners will utilize them. Stakeholders may express concerns about preserving any necessary state functions that these facilities currently support. Additionally, there might be discussions surrounding the timeline for divestiture and what safeguards will be put in place to ensure a responsible transfer of these properties. Overall, the bill prompts a critical dialogue about state asset management and community impacts associated with government property divestiture.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB1277

Requiring the Department of General Services to develop a plan for divesting certain properties owned by the Commonwealth.

PA HB2216

Authorizing the Department of General Services, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and with the approval of the Governor, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, to quitclaim and release to the United States of America any right, title or interest it may have with respect to a certain use restriction and a related reversionary interest related to certain portions of Valley Forge National Historical Park situate in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; authorizing the release of Project 70 restrictions on certain land owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in Overfield Township, Wyoming County; authorizing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the City of Philadelphia a right-of-way easement situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, in exchange for improvements to Benjamin Rush State Park and monetary consideration to the Commonwealth to be used toward the acquisition and conveyance of a tract of land to be added to French Creek State Park; authorizing the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of portions of State park lands in exchange for certain lands situate in New Vernon Township, Mercer County, from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to the Department of Transportation for anticipated highway improvement projects; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Agriculture and the Governor, to grant and convey to Joshua R. Snyder a certain tract of land located in Windsor Township, Berks County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands and improvements situate in Haverford Township, Delaware County, to Carelink Community Support Services of PA, Inc.; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace, certain lands, buildings and improvements, situate in Boggs Township, Centre County, and further authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to transfer to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace its buildings located on adjacent property leased from the United States Department of the Army; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Franklin Township, Greene County, certain lands situate in Franklin Township, Greene County; authorizing the Department of General Services to convey to the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, certain lands and improvements thereon, situate in Oil City, Venango County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, to convey to the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, certain lands and improvements thereon, situate in Oil City, Venango County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Transportation and the Governor, to grant and convey to the Bear Creek Township Volunteer Hose Company an access easement and two storm water easements from certain lands situate in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to release a portion of a use restriction affecting certain real property situate in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania previously conveyed to the School District of the City of Harrisburg; authorizing the sale and transfer of title for a 0.232 acre of

PA SB16

Providing for the funding of the development of comprehensive regional plans, competitive sites for businesses to locate or expand within this Commonwealth and competitive industrial and nonindustrial sites by assisting in the reduction of development risk; establishing the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program, the PA SITES Fund and the PA SITES Debt Service Restricted Account; and conferring powers and duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority.

PA HB2425

Providing for the funding of the development of comprehensive regional plans, competitive sites for businesses to locate or expand within this Commonwealth and competitive industrial and nonindustrial sites by assisting in the reduction of development risk; establishing the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program, the PA SITES Fund and the PA SITES Debt Service Restricted Account; and conferring powers and duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority.

PA HB2570

Providing for accommodation for breastfeeding in Commonwealth-owned buildings; and imposing duties on the Department of General Services.

PA HB1518

Authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands and improvements situate in the 47th Ward of the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, to New Freedom Theatre, Inc.; authorizing the release of Project 70 restrictions on certain land owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in Overfield Township, Wyoming County; authorizing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the City of Philadelphia a right-of-way easement situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, in exchange for improvements to Benjamin Rush State Park and monetary consideration to the Commonwealth to be used toward the acquisition and conveyance of a tract of land to be added to French Creek State Park; authorizing the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of portions of State park lands in exchange for certain lands situate in New Vernon Township, Mercer County, from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to the Department of Transportation for anticipated highway improvement projects; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Agriculture and the Governor, to grant and convey to Joshua R. Snyder a certain tract of land located in Windsor Township, Berks County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands and improvements situate in Haverford Township, Delaware County, to Carelink Community Support Services of PA, Inc.; and authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace, certain lands, buildings and improvements, situate in Boggs Township, Centre County, and further authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to transfer to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace its buildings located on adjacent property leased from the United States Department of the Army.

PA HB292

Providing for the establishment of a cultural development district program for communities in this Commonwealth with arts and cultural centers which benefit the public; and establishing Commonwealth tax exemptions for residents and businesses within the designated cultural development districts.

PA SB566

Providing for an inventory of State-owned assets for the development of fixed broadband services in unserved areas; establishing the Broadband Services Restricted Account; and providing for underserved areas of this Commonwealth.

PA HB1799

Authorizing local taxing authorities to provide for tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of shopping malls; establishing the Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

PA HB1838

Providing for Commonwealth Economic Development Action Team.

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