12 Pa.C.S. Ch. 4

12 Pa.C.S. § 4 Retroactivity.

The addition of 12 Pa.C.S. Ch. 32 shall apply retroactively to January 1, 2024. Explanatory Note. Act 116 amended or added Chapters 15 and 32 of Title 12.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Commission." The Pennsylvania Military Community Enhancement Commission established under this chapter.

12 Pa.C.S. § 402 Establishment and membership.

(a) Establishment.--The commission is hereby established within the department. (b) Membership.--The commission shall be comprised of not more than 17 members as follows: (1) The Lieutenant Governor. (2) A member appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate. (3) A member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. (4) A member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (5) A member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. (6) Up to 12 members appointed by the Governor as follows: (i) One member shall have experience at the senior level of the military, such as an active duty retired one-star, two-star, three-star or four-star military officer, shall be familiar with the operations represented by the installations and organizations stationed in this Commonwealth and shall be a resident of this Commonwealth. The member shall serve as chairperson in the absence of the chairperson elected by a majority of the members. (ii) At least ten members shall be representatives of the military installations or organizations stationed in this Commonwealth and shall have knowledge of the mission and operations of the installation or organization that they represent. (iii) One member shall be an expert in the field of economic development and shall be knowledgeable in the missions and operations of the military in their respective regions of this Commonwealth. (c) Chairperson.--A chairperson shall be elected by a majority of the commission members. (d) Executive director.--The Governor shall appoint an executive director who shall be an employee of the department. (e) Membership terms.-- (1) Members shall be appointed by the Governor under subsection (b)(6) for a term of three years and serve until their respective successors are appointed. Members shall be appointed under subsection (b)(2), (3), (4) and (5) for a term of two years and serve until their respective successors are appointed. The Lieutenant Governor shall serve for a term of four years. A member may be reappointed for additional terms. Members appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. (2) If a vacancy occurs on the commission, a successor shall be appointed in the same manner as the predecessor. (3) A member who is absent from two consecutive meetings of the commission without a reasonable excuse, as determined by the chairperson, shall forfeit membership on the commission. (4) Members shall not receive compensation for their services, but shall receive reimbursement for their necessary and proper expenses related to their duties on the commission. (Oct. 24, 2018, P.L.884, No.139, eff. 60 days; July 7, 2022, P.L.454, No.40, eff. imd.) 2022 Amendment. Act 40 amended subsec. (e)(1). Section 2 of Act 40 provided that the amendment of subsec. (e)(1) shall apply to members appointed or reappointed on or after the effective date of section 2. 2018 Amendment. Act 139 amended subsec. (b)(6).

12 Pa.C.S. § 403 Powers and duties.

The commission shall have the following powers and duties: (1) Advise on the expansion of economic development opportunities and defense-related industry organizations in public or private sectors in this Commonwealth. (2) Establish a viable and long-term relationship with each military installation, organization and defense-related organization in this Commonwealth. (3) Closely monitor the activities at the Federal level relating to any initiative or proposal that will affect, either positively or negatively, any military installation or organization or defense-related organization in this Commonwealth. (4) Educate and engage stakeholders at the Federal, State and local levels and in the public and private sectors on the enhancement and preservation of the military installations and organizations and defense-related organizations in this Commonwealth. (5) Advocate at the Federal, State and local levels for the enhancement of the military installations and organizations and defense-related organizations in this Commonwealth in order to fully support our nation's military at home and abroad. (6) Identify, in coordination with the department, sources of funding for economic development projects, including projects under this title, 64 Pa.C.S. (relating to public authorities and quasi-public corporations) or projects under the act of February 9, 1999 (P.L.1, No.1), known as the Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act, related to military installations and defense-related organizations and for the enhancement of military installations or defense-related organizations in this Commonwealth. (7) Estimate an annual budget for the commission.

12 Pa.C.S. § 404 Administrative assistance.

The department shall provide appropriate administrative, legal and technical support as needed by the commission in order to accomplish its purpose.

12 Pa.C.S. § 405 Report.

The commission shall report its activities no less than quarterly to the Governor or the Governor's designated representative and annually to the General Assembly.