State Capitol Preservation Act

§ 1047.21. Short title

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "State Capitol
Preservation Act."
1982, Dec. 20, P.L. 1442, No. 327, § 1, imd. effective.

Historical and Statutory Notes

Section 7 of Act 1982, Dec. 20, P.L. No. 327 is a general repealer.

Title of Act:
An Act providing for the historic preservation of the State Capitol Building, establishing a Capitol Preservation Committee and establishing the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund.
1982, Dec. 20, P.L. 1442, No. 327, § 1.


§ 1047.22. Legislative findings; declaration of policy

It is hereby determined and declared as a matter of legislative finding:
(1) The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a rich heritage of historical buildings, structures, documents, artifacts, and other objects and resources which bear witness to its growth as one of the great states of this nation.
(2) Efforts have been made toward the restoration and preservation of buildings, structures, documents, artifacts, and objects evidencing the history of this eminent Commonwealth and of the General Assembly, and these efforts should be continued and intensified.
(3) Particular attention should be given to the preservation of the architectural and historical integrity of the State Capitol Building and to the restoration and preservation of artifacts, documents, and other historical objects and resources located within that building.
(4) The most effective way to promote and foster the historic preservation of the State Capitol Building is by the establishment of a committee to supervise and coordinate this work.
1982, Dec. 20, P.L. 1442, No. 327, § 2, imd. effective.

Library References


Health and Environment 25.5(8).
WESTLAW Topic No. 199.
C.J.S. Health and Environment §§ 60 et seq., 115 et seq.


§ 1047.23. Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
"Committee." The Capitol Preservation Committee.
"Fund." The Capitol Restoration Trust Fund.
1982, Dec. 20, P.L. 1442, No. 327, § 3, imd. effective.

 

§ 1047.24. Capitol Preservation Committee

(a) Establishment. -- There is hereby established the Capitol Preservation Committee to supervise and coordinate the historic preservation of the State Capitol Building and the preservation and restoration of historical documents, artifacts, and other objects and resources located in or associated with the State Capitol Building.

(b) Membership. -- The Committee1 shall be composed of the following:
(1) Four members of the Senate to be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, two from the majority and two from the minority party.
(2) Four members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two from the majority and two from the minority party.
(3) One member, appointed by the Chief Justice, who is not a member of the judiciary.
(4)The Secretary of the Department of General Services or his designee.
(5) The Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission or his designee.
(6) The Secretary of the State Art Commission.
(7) Three members appointed by the Governor which members shall include individuals with experience in restoration of monumental buildings or a 2 background in historical restoration or fine arts conservation.

No member appointed under paragraph (3) or (7),3 shall be a member of the executive, legislative or judicial branch of Commonwealth government at the time of his appointment.

(c) Terms.--
(1) Members appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(1) and (2) shall be appointed at the commencement of a regular session of the General Assembly in each odd-numbered year. These appointments shall take effect 31 days following the convening of the session and the terms of these members shall run until 30 days after the convening of the next regular session of the General Assembly.
(2) The terms of members enumerated in subsection (b)(4), (5) and (6) shall be coincident with their respective offices.
(3) The terms of members appointed pursuant to subsection (b) (3), and (7)4 shall be coincident with that of the appointing Governor, President pro tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief Justice.

(d) Vacancies.--
Vacancies in the membership of the Committee shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

(e) Organizations and procedure.--
(1) The Committee shall meet initially within 60 days after enactment of this act and shall elect by a majority of all its members a chairman and vice chairman from among its members, each to serve for a term of two years. Thereafter, the Committee shall meet not less than twice each year.
(2) A majority of all the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(3) The Committee may adopt rules for its government, organization and procedures not inconsistent with the provisions of this act.

(f) Expenses.--
Committee members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for all necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as members.
1982, Dec. 20, P.L. 1442, No. 327, § 4, imd. effective. As amended 1984, June. 21, P.L. 425, No. 85, § 1, imd. effective.

1 "commission" in original.
2 "buildings, a" in original.
3 "(3), (7), (8) or (9)" in original.
4 "(3), (7), (8) and (9)" in original.

Historic and Statutory Notes

Section 8 of Act 1982, Dec. 20, P.L. No. 327, provides, in part: "Initial appointments to the Committee shall be made within 60 days following the date of final enactment."

The 1984 amendment, at the end of subsec. (f), deleted "from the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund".

 

§ 1047.25. Duties of the Committee

In addition to other powers conferred by this act, the Committee shall have the power:
(1) To develop a comprehensive plan and program for the historic preservation and restoration of the State Capitol Building.
(2) To monitor the making of all major repairs, alterations and improvements in and about the State Capitol Building, including the furnishing and refurnishing of the same, where such repairs, alterations or improvements may alter or otherwise affect the architectural and historical integrity of the building.
(3) To monitor the maintenance, restoration, preservation and rehabilitation of historical documents, artifacts and other historical objects or resources located within and around, or associated with, the State Capitol Building.
(4) To acquire on behalf of the Commonwealth artifacts, documents and other historical objects or resources which contribute to the historical significance of the State Capitol Building.
(5) To receive for and on behalf of the Commonwealth artifacts, documents and other historical objects or resources located within and around, or associated with, the State Capitol Building.
(6) To assist in the preservation of other buildings and structures located within the Capitol Complex.
(7) To accept grants and subsidies from and enter into agreements or other transactions with any Federal agency or agency of the Commonwealth or other entity.
(8) To enter into contracts and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient for carrying on its operations.
(9) To issue appropriate regulations for the implementation of this act.
(10) To do all other things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers granted to it by this act.
1982, Dec. 20, P.L. 1442, No. 327, § 5, imd. effective.

 

§ 1047.26. Capitol Restoration Trust Fund and operating expenses

(a) Establishment and administration.--
There is hereby established a separate fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund. This fund shall be administered by the Committee and all moneys in the fund are hereby appropriated to the Committee on a continuing basis.

(b) Purpose.--
The moneys in the fund shall be used:
(1) for the maintenance, restoration, preservation and rehabilitation of artifacts, documents and other historical objects or resources located within and around or associated with the State Capitol Building or acquired by the Committee; and
(2) for the acquisition of artifacts, documents and other historical objects or resources, including but not limited to, statuary, art or any element which contribute to the historical significance of the State Capitol Building.

(c) Contributions, solicitation of funds.--
(1) The Committee is hereby authorized:
(i) to accept on behalf of the Commonwealth gifts, donations, legacies and usages of money from individuals, organizations, public or private corporations and other similar entities; and
(ii) to solicit and raise moneys from public and private sources through the sale of commemorative medals and other items of a similar nature which promote the historic preservation and restoration of the State Capitol Building.
(2) Except for appropriations made by the General Assembly, all moneys received or raised under this section shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund.

(d) Operating expenses.--
Appropriations made by the General Assembly to the Committee shall be used for payment of necessary travel and other reasonable expenses of Committee members, for administrative expenses, and generally for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the act.
1982, Dec. 20, P.L. 1442, No. 327, § 6, imd. effective. As amended 1984, June 21, P.L. 425, No. 85, § 2, imd. effective.

Historic and Statutory Notes

The 1984 amendment in the section heading added "and operating expenses"; deleted subd. (3) of subsec. (b); in subd. (2) of subsec. (c) inserted the exception; and added subsec. (d). Prior to amendment, subd. (b)(3) read: "for the payment of the necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by members of the Committee: Provided, however, That no more than 0.50% of the trust fund be set aside for this purpose with the remaining balance at the end of each calendar year returned to the corpus of the trust fund".