16 Pa.C.S. Ch. 171

in effect

16 Pa.C.S. § 17111 Scope of chapter.

This chapter relates to the southwestern Pennsylvania regional renaissance initiative.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17112 Findings and declaration of policy.

(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds the following: (1) The health, safety and general welfare of the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania are directly dependent upon the continual encouragement, development, growth and expansion of business, industry, commerce and tourism within that region. (2) Unemployment, the spread of indigence and the heavy burden of public assistance and unemployment compensation in southwestern Pennsylvania can be avoided by the promotion, attraction, stimulation, development and expansion of business, industry, commerce and tourism in that region. (3) Supplemental sources of revenue are needed by municipalities in southwestern Pennsylvania to invest in facilities that will promote economic development and tourism and improve the quality of life of their residents. (4) Supplemental sources of public and private revenue are required to improve and develop the region's existing economy and to develop new civic, convention, sports, cultural, industrial, transportation and other facilities. (5) Local governments in southwestern Pennsylvania lack adequate resources to maintain, improve and modernize the region's civic, convention, sports, cultural, industrial, transportation and other facilities, the continued availability of which is vital to the economic growth and development of southwestern Pennsylvania, to the ability of the region to compete globally for visitors, residents and investment in quality jobs at living wages and to the health, welfare, education and quality of life of the residents of the region. (b) Declaration of policy.--It is declared to be the public policy of the Commonwealth to promote the health, welfare and quality of life of the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and to enhance economic development and employment in that region by supporting the construction of regional destination facilities and other regional growth projects for the public purpose of promoting, attracting, stimulating, developing and expanding business, industry, commerce and tourism. That purpose is declared to be a public purpose supporting the enactment of all of the provisions of this chapter and for which public money may be spent, taxes may be imposed and private property may be acquired by the exercise of the power of eminent domain.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17113 Definitions.

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: "Auditorium authority." The authority created to operate the convention center under the act of July 29, 1953 (P.L.1034, No.270), known as the Public Auditorium Authorities Law. "Authority." The Regional Renaissance Authority established under section 17131 (relating to authority established). "Authority employee." The chairperson and members of the board of the authority, counsel retained by the authority either as an employee or otherwise, the chief administrative officer of the authority and any employee with discretionary powers who may affect the outcome of a decision by the authority in relation to a private corporation or business or any employee who by virtue of the employee's job function could influence the outcome of a decision. "Baseball park." A baseball park to be constructed in the central city, designed for the purpose of playing major league baseball games. "Board." The governing body of the Regional Renaissance Authority. "Bonds." Notes, bonds, refunding notes and bonds, interim certificates, debentures and other evidences of indebtedness or obligations that the authority may issue under this chapter. Bonds may be either tax-exempt bonds, the interest on which is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes or taxable bonds, the interest on which is includable in gross income for Federal income tax purposes. "Central city." A city of the second class located in a county of the second class. "Central county." A county of the second class. "Construction." The term includes site acquisition, demolition and other preparation for and the design, renovation, improvement, expansion, erection, furnishing, fixturing and equipping of the facility or building involved. "Contiguous county." A county, other than a county of the second class, that: (1) has a boundary that touches, even at a single point, a county of the second class; (2) is a county of the fourth, fifth or sixth class and shares common boundaries at more than a single point with two counties described in paragraph (1); or (3) is a county of the sixth class and is located to the south and west of a county described in paragraph (2). "Convention and visitors bureau." The tourist promotion agency located in the central city that receives funds from the hotel tax imposed by former section 1970.2 of the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code. "Convention center." The real property described in section 17181(a) (relating to conveyance of convention center), together with the structures, facilities, buildings, fixtures and improvements located thereon, and known as the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. "County account." A special account established within the Regional Growth Fund under section 17121(c) (relating to establishment of Regional Growth Fund). "County growth board." A new or existing entity designated under section 17122(c)(2)(ii) (relating to use of Regional Growth Fund) for the purpose of developing a county growth plan. "County growth plan." A plan for the use of money in a county account that is developed and submitted to the authority in accordance with section 17122(c). "Cultural district." A geographic area within a city of the second class adjacent to the convention center that is not more than one-half square mile in size and that has located within it at least three theaters for the performing arts. "Department." The Department of Revenue of the Commonwealth. "Design commission." The Southwestern Pennsylvania Convention Center Design Commission established under section 17162 (relating to Southwestern Pennsylvania Convention Center Design Commission). "Football stadium." A football stadium to be constructed in the central city, designed for the purpose of playing National Football League games. "Governing body." The board of county commissioners or the county executive or other person exercising the functions of the county executive in a county without a board of county commissioners. "Immediate family." A parent, spouse, child, brother, sister, the spouse of a child, brother or sister or the parent of a spouse. "Participating county." A county in which the referendum provided for in section 17154 (relating to referenda levying additional taxes) has been approved by the voters. "Party officer." The following members or officers of any political party: (1) A member of a national committee. (2) A chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer or counsel of a State committee or members of the executive committee of a State committee. (3) A county chairman, vice chairman, counsel, secretary or treasurer of a county committee. (4) A city chairman, vice chairman, counsel, secretary or treasurer of a city committee. "Public employee." An individual employed by the Commonwealth or a political subdivision within the Commonwealth. "Public officer." An individual elected to any public office of Commonwealth government or any political subdivision within the Commonwealth. "Public official." Any elected or appointed official in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of Commonwealth government or any political subdivision within the Commonwealth. The term does not include the following: (1) Members of advisory boards who do not have authority to expend public money other than reimbursement for personal expenses or to otherwise exercise the power of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision within the Commonwealth. (2) Any appointed official who does not receive compensation other than reimbursement for actual expenses. "Regional Destination Facilities Fund." The Regional Destination Facilities Fund established under section 17171 (relating to establishment of Regional Destination Facilities Fund). "Regional destination facility." Any of the following: (1) The convention center. (2) The baseball park. (3) The football stadium. (4) Parks, parking facilities and at least two theaters to be constructed in the cultural district. "Regional Growth Fund." The Regional Growth Fund established under section 17121.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17121 Establishment of Regional Growth Fund.

(a) Establishment.--The Regional Growth Fund is established. The treasurer of the authority shall be custodian of the Regional Growth Fund which shall be subject to the provisions of law applicable to funds listed in section 302 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code. (b) Credits.--Taxes imposed under Subchapter E (relating to additional sales and use taxes) shall be received by the department and paid to the treasurer of the authority and, along with interest and penalties less any collection costs allowed under Subchapter E and any refunds and credits paid, shall be credited in the manner provided in section 17152(f) (relating to imposition of additional sales and use taxes) to the Regional Growth Fund not less frequently than every two weeks. Any amounts appropriated to the Regional Growth Fund by the General Assembly and any contributions received from any other source shall be credited to the Regional Growth Fund. (c) Special accounts.--A special account shall be established within the Regional Growth Fund for each participating county. All of the taxes, interest and penalties that are collected under section 17152 from a particular county and deposited into the Regional Growth Fund in accordance with section 17152(f) shall be credited to the special account for that county. All of the money in a county account must be spent on projects located in whole or in part within that county unless the governing body of that county authorizes by resolution the use of a portion of the money in its county account for a regional project located outside of the county. (d) Other special accounts.--The authority may also establish other special accounts within the Regional Growth Fund to which shall be credited any amounts appropriated to the Regional Growth Fund by the General Assembly and any contributions received from any other source. Money in such special accounts shall be used for eligible projects in a participating county as determined by the board, subject to any limitations imposed by the source of the money. (e) Restrictions.--All money in the Regional Growth Fund, including money credited under this section, prior year encumbrances and the interest earned on the money in the fund, may not lapse or be transferred to any other fund but shall remain in the Regional Growth Fund and must be used exclusively as provided in this chapter. (f) Earnings.--Pending disbursement, money received on behalf of or deposited into the Regional Growth Fund shall be invested or reinvested in the same manner as money in the custody of the State Treasurer. All earnings received from the investment or reinvestment of the money shall be credited to the Regional Growth Fund and shall be allocated on a proportional basis to each special account within the Regional Growth Fund. Cross References. Section 17121 is referred to in sections 17113, 17136 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17122 Use of Regional Growth Fund.

(a) General rule.--Subject to the limitations in subsections (b) and (c), money in the Regional Growth Fund shall be used by the authority to fund the capital costs of new or improved economic development projects of the following types: (1) Industrial site development, including site acquisition, preparation and clearance, construction of necessary infrastructure such as water and sewer facilities and construction of buildings for use by businesses. (2) Cultural, recreational, historical and entertainment facilities, including, without limitation, African-American cultural facilities, regional destination facilities and projects in heritage areas. (3) Transportation facilities that will assist in the attraction and retention of jobs in the region, including construction of highways, bridges, transit facilities, airports, ports, rail lines and related facilities. (4) Revolving loan money to assist in the establishment, location and expansion of businesses, including, without limitation, small or minority-owned businesses, in the region. (5) New or improved water or sewer facilities serving residential customers. (b) Limitations.--Expenditures from the Regional Growth Fund for an eligible project shall be subject to the following limitations: (1) The funding provided from the Regional Growth Fund for an eligible project may not exceed 50% of the total cost of the project. (2) No money may be expended from the Regional Growth Fund for operating costs of any project or facility. (3) No more than 20% of the money in a county account may be used for the purpose described in subsection (a)(4). (4) No more than 40% of the money in a county account may be used for the purpose described in subsection (a)(5). (c) Notification.-- (1) No later than March 31, 1998, each participating county shall initially notify the board if the county intends to develop and submit a county growth plan, which of the optional methods described in paragraph (2) will be used and what portion of the money in the county account shall be reserved for implementation of the plan. In establishing the long-term budget and capital budget under sections 17135 (relating to initial financial plan) and 17136 (relating to capital budgets), the board shall reserve money in each county account in accordance with the notification and shall not approve projects using reserved money unless they are contained in the county growth plan. (2) If a participating county chooses to develop and submit a county growth plan to the authority, the governing body of a participating county shall select one of the following three methods for developing the plan: (i) The redevelopment authority of the county created under the act of May 24, 1945 (P.L.991, No.385), known as the Urban Redevelopment Law, may adopt a county growth plan by resolution and submit it to the authority. The redevelopment authority must hold at least one public hearing regarding the plan or any revision to the plan prior to adopting the plan or revision and submitting it to the authority. (ii) The governing body may create a county growth board or designate an existing public or nonprofit agency to serve as the county growth board. The county growth board must hold at least one public hearing regarding the plan or any revision to the plan prior to adopting the plan or revision and submitting it to the authority. (iii) The governing body may directly adopt a county growth plan by resolution and submit it to the authority. The governing body must hold at least one public hearing regarding the plan or any revision to the plan prior to adopting the plan or revision and submitting it to the authority. (3) The governing body of a participating county that has not previously submitted a county growth plan may elect to submit one at any time by giving the authority notice to that effect. The governing body of a participating county that has submitted a county growth plan may at any time change the method of developing its county growth plan by giving the authority notice to that effect. (4) All expenditures from the Regional Growth Fund for projects contained in a county growth plan must meet the criteria and limitations contained in subsections (a) and (b). The total expenditures that the county growth plan requests from the county account may not exceed the total amount projected to be deposited into the account. (d) Automatic approval.--The authority shall automatically approve funding from a county account for any project in the participating county that meets the eligibility criteria of this section and is contained in a county growth plan, up to the amount of money available in the county account. Cross References. Section 17122 is referred to in sections 17113, 17136 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17131 Authority established.

(a) General rule.--A body corporate and politic to be known as the Regional Renaissance Authority is established as a special purpose areawide unit of local government under section 7 of Article IX of the Constitution of Pennsylvania exercising powers as a unit of local government under this chapter and having territorial limits that encompass the geographic areas of the participating counties. The exercise by the authority of the powers conferred by this chapter is the performance of an essential public function. (b) Time.--The authority shall be established at the time set forth in section 17154(e) (relating to referenda levying additional taxes). Once established, the authority shall continue in existence perpetually. (c) Sovereign immunity.--The following apply: (1) The authority and its board members, officers and employees shall have sovereign immunity as provided in 1 Pa.C.S. § 2310 (relating to sovereign immunity reaffirmed; specific waiver). (2) The authority and its board members, officers and employees shall remain immune from suit except as provided by and subject to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 85 Subchs. A (relating to general provisions) and B (relating to actions against Commonwealth parties). (3) Notwithstanding 42 Pa.C.S. § 8525 (relating to legal assistance), the authority, through its legal counsel, shall defend actions brought against the authority or its board members, officers and employees when acting within the scope of their official duties. (d) Liability.--Members of the board may not be held personally liable for the bonds or other obligations of the authority, and the rights of creditors shall be solely against the authority. Cross References. Section 17131 is referred to in sections 17113, 17154 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17132 Board of authority.

(a) General rule.--The powers of the authority shall be exercised by a governing body having full authority to manage the properties and business of the authority and to prescribe, amend and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations governing the manner in which the business of the authority may be conducted and the powers given to the authority may be exercised. All bylaws, rules and regulations and amendments of the bylaws, rules and regulations shall be filed with the secretary of the authority. (b) Appointments.--The members of the board of the authority shall be appointed as follows: (1) The Governor shall appoint three members, not all of whom are members of the same political party and at least one of whom has experience and expertise in convention and tourism promotion programs. (2) The President pro tempore of the Senate shall appoint a member. (3) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a member. (4) The Minority Leader of the Senate shall appoint a member. (5) The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint a member. (6) The governing body of the central county shall appoint a member to represent that county. (7) The governing body of each other participating county shall appoint a member to represent that county. (8) The mayor of the central city shall appoint a member to represent that city. (c) Members.-- (1) The number of members of the board appointed under subsection (b)(4), (5), (6) and (7) shall be increased to two if the number of participating counties is greater than five. (2) The persons appointing members of the board under subsection (b)(4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) shall consult with each other to ensure: (i) If there is more than one participating county, that not more than a majority of the members of the board appointed under subsection (b)(4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) are residents of any one participating county. (ii) That the board is reflective, to the extent feasible, of the cultural, racial, ethnic and gender demographic proportions of the participating counties. (d) Appointment lists.--The governing body of each participating county shall only appoint individuals from lists of three or more names submitted by the members of the General Assembly who represent any portion of that county. In developing the lists, the members of the General Assembly shall solicit nominations from public and private economic development agencies within the county and may solicit nominations from other sources. The individuals appointed must have the unanimous approval of all of the members of the governing body in office at the time. (e) Term.-- (1) The term of office of a member of the board appointed: (i) under subsection (b)(1), (2) and (3) shall be four years; and (ii) under subsection (b)(4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) shall be five years. (2) The term of office of a member shall begin on the date of appointment. Members may hold office until successors have been appointed and qualified or until death or resignation. (3) An individual may not serve more than two consecutive full terms on the board. (4) An individual appointed to the board when a vacancy occurs during the term of office of a member of the board shall serve for the remainder of the term. A vacancy in the office of a member appointed under subsection (b)(4), (5), (6) and (7) shall be filled for the balance of the term by appointment made by the individual who at the time is the ranking member in the same chamber of the General Assembly and of the same political party as the individual who appointed the vacating member. (f) Officers.--The Governor shall select one of the initial members of the board as the interim chair of the authority and shall, within 10 days of the effective date of the establishment of the authority, set a date, time and place for the initial organizational meeting of the board. The members shall elect a chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer and other officers. A member may not hold more than one office of the board at any time. Members may serve successive terms as officers of the board. (g) Meetings.--The board shall meet as frequently as it deems appropriate, but at least once a month during the first year that the authority is in existence and thereafter at least once during each quarter of its fiscal year. In addition, a meeting of the board shall be called by the chair if a request for a meeting is submitted to the chair by at least two members of the board. A majority of the members of the board in office shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the board and for all other purposes. The acts of a majority of the members of the board taken at a meeting of the board at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the board, except that, for the purposes of making decisions regarding personnel matters, contracts and capital and operating budgets, the affirmative vote of at least six members of the board shall be required. (h) Advisory members.--There shall be nonvoting advisory members of the board with the right to attend and be heard at every meeting of the board who shall be appointed as follows: (1) An advisory member shall be appointed by each of the following: (i) The convention and visitors bureau. (ii) The principal tenant of the baseball park. (iii) The principal tenant of the football stadium. (iv) The private nonprofit corporation with the largest membership supporting the development of the entire cultural district. (v) The private nonprofit corporation with the largest membership supporting the development, preservation and expansion of African-American culture and history in southwestern Pennsylvania. (vi) The labor organization representing the largest number of members of the building trades. (2) In addition to the six advisory members appointed under paragraph (1), the authority may appoint one or more additional advisory members. Cross References. Section 17132 is referred to in sections 17133, 17138, 17154 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17133 Purposes and powers.

(a) Purposes.--The purpose of the authority includes, but is not limited to, the following: (1) Supporting and financing the construction of regional destination facilities. (2) Assuring the efficient and effective operation and development of regional destination facilities. (3) Supporting and financing the construction of other economic development projects. (b) Powers.--Subject to the limitations under subsection (d), the authority is granted all powers necessary or convenient to carry out the authority's purposes, including to: (1) Have continuing succession. (2) Sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, complain and defend in all courts. (3) Adopt, use and alter at will a corporate seal. (4) Acquire by gift or otherwise, purchase, hold, receive, lease, sublease and use any license, franchise or property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, including a regional destination facility or parts of the facility. (5) Sell, transfer or dispose of any property or interest therein for adequate and fair consideration. (6) Acquire, hold, develop, construct, maintain, manage, operate, repair, own, lease or sublease a regional destination facility or parts of the facility and projects funded from the Regional Growth Fund. (7) Make, enter into and award contracts with any person for the development, financing, construction, maintenance, operation and repair of regional destination facilities or parts of the facility and projects funded from the Regional Growth Fund. (8) Conduct financial and performance reviews and audits of regional destination facilities and projects funded from the Regional Growth Fund. (9) Conduct long-term planning necessary for the efficient and effective operation and development of regional destination facilities and projects funded from the Regional Growth Fund. (10) Make bylaws for the regulation of the authority's affairs and promulgate rules, regulations and policies in connection with the performance of the authority's functions and duties. (11) (i) Borrow money for the purpose of paying the costs of any project and to evidence such borrowing in any customary and appropriate fashion. (ii) Make and issue taxable or tax-exempt negotiable bonds of the authority and secure the payment of the bonds or any part of the bonds by pledge or deed of trust of all or any of its revenues, rentals, receipts and contract rights. (iii) Make agreements with the purchasers or holders of the bonds or with other obligees of the authority in connection with any bonds, whether issued or to be issued, as the authority shall deem advisable, which agreements shall constitute contracts with the holders or purchasers. (iv) Obtain credit enhancement or liquidity facilities in connection with any bonds as the authority shall determine to be advantageous. (v) Provide, in general, for the security for the bonds and for the rights of the holders of the bonds. (12) Make, enter into and award contracts and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient for the carrying out of its business. (13) Borrow money and accept grants and to enter into contracts, leases, subleases, licenses or other transactions with any Federal agency, State public body, political subdivision or person. (14) Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber any of its property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, and its revenues or receipts, including any tax revenues or interest the authority may have in any lease or sublease of regional destination facilities or parts of regional destination facilities. (15) Procure insurance containing coverage, including, without limitation, insurance covering the timely payment in full of principal and interest on bonds of the authority, in the amounts and from the insurers the authority may determine to be necessary or desirable for its purposes. (16) Invest authority money. (17) Cooperate with any Federal agency, State public body or political subdivision. (18) Invest money not required for immediate disbursement in reserve or sinking funds. (19) Appoint all officers, agents and employees required for the performance of its duties and fix and determine their qualifications, duties and compensation and to retain or employ other agents or consultants. (20) Enroll authority employees in a retirement system, including an existing retirement system of a participating county or any other governmental entity located within a participating county. (21) Appoint and fix the compensation of chief counsel and assistant counsel, who may not be required to be employees of the authority, to provide it with legal assistance. Notwithstanding 42 Pa.C.S. § 8525 (relating to legal assistance), the authority through its counsel shall defend actions brought against the authority and its officers and employees when acting within the scope of their official duties. (22) Do all acts and things necessary or convenient for the promotion of its purposes and the general welfare of the authority and to carry out the powers granted to the authority under this chapter or any other law. (c) Eminent domain.--The authority, upon making a finding that it is necessary or convenient to acquire any real or personal property in the central city for immediate or future use for purposes related to the construction of regional destination facilities or related developments, may acquire property by the exercise of the power of eminent domain under 26 Pa.C.S. (relating to eminent domain), and for those purposes shall have the power of eminent domain. The authority may use its eminent domain power to acquire property already devoted to a public use, except that the power may not be used to acquire property owned or used by the Commonwealth. The board may not exercise the authority's eminent domain power without the approval of the mayor of the central city and the members of the board appointed under section 17132(b)(1) and (3) (relating to board of authority). (d) Operations.--Notwithstanding any purpose of the authority or a general or specific power granted by this chapter or any other law, whether express or implied, the following limitations and conditions shall apply to the operations of the authority: (1) The authority shall have no power to pledge the credit or taxing powers of the Commonwealth or any other government agency, except the credit of the authority, nor shall any of the bonds of the authority be deemed a debt or liability of the Commonwealth or of any other government agency, except as otherwise agreed by the Commonwealth or a government agency. (2) Neither the Commonwealth nor any government agency, except the authority, shall be liable for payment of the principal or maturity value of or interest or premium on any of the bonds of the authority, except as otherwise agreed by the Commonwealth or a government agency. (3) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or any other act to the contrary or of any implication that may be drawn from this chapter or any other law, the Commonwealth and all other government agencies, except the authority, shall have no legal or moral obligation for the payment of any expenses or obligations of the authority, including, but not limited to, bond principal and interest, the funding or refunding of any reserve and any administrative or operating expenses whatsoever, except as otherwise agreed to by the Commonwealth or another government agency. (4) Bonds of the authority shall contain a prominent statement of the limitations set forth in this subsection and a further statement to the effect that obligees of the authority shall have no recourse, either legal or moral, to the Commonwealth or to any other government agency for payment of the bonds, except as otherwise agreed to by the Commonwealth or another government agency. (5) The authority may not assume the responsibility of employing personnel directly engaged in the operation of regional destination facilities described in paragraphs (1) and (4) of the definition of "regional destination facility" but may enter into contracts for the operation, maintenance and ongoing improvement of those facilities with public and private organizations that have expertise in operating the type of facility involved. (6) The authority may not operate, maintain or, after the completion of initial construction, design or perform subsequent improvements to the baseball park or football stadium but shall contract for the performance of those functions with the principal tenant of each of those facilities.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17134 Fiscal matters.

(a) Fiscal year.--The fiscal year of the authority shall commence on July 1 of each year and end on June 30 of the next year, except as otherwise provided by the board. (b) Annual report.--The board shall, no later than the start of each fiscal year, prepare a comprehensive annual report of its activities and operations for the previous year, make the report publicly available and conduct public meetings and hearings to receive public comments and recommendations regarding the activities and operations of the board. The board shall forward a copy of the annual report each year to the Governor and the General Assembly. (c) Audit.--The board shall provide for an annual audit of the authority by an independent certified public accounting firm.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17135 Initial financial plan.

(a) Agreements.--Immediately upon the creation of the authority, the board shall commence the negotiation, with public or private entities as it considers appropriate, of agreements relating to the construction of regional destination facilities. Agreements regarding the construction of the baseball park and the football stadium shall provide that those facilities may not be owned by the teams that will be the principal tenants but that the authority shall either own or enter into long-term leases with the owner of the land, building and fixtures for each of those facilities regardless of what public or private entities are responsible for the construction of those facilities. Each agreement regarding a regional destination facility shall provide for: (1) The development of long-term plans for the financing, development and operation of the facility. (2) Performance and financial goals, objectives and standards for the operation of the facility. (3) Assurances that adequate measures will be undertaken to maintain and improve the facility. (4) Assurances that the operating and capital budgeting for the facility will occur in a financially responsible manner. (b) Budgets.--Prior to the start of the first full fiscal year of the authority, the board shall adopt, in addition to the operating and capital budgets required under sections 17136 (relating to capital budgets) and 17137 (relating to operating budget), long-term budgets for the Regional Destination Facilities Fund and the Regional Growth Fund. The long-term budget for the Regional Destination Facilities Fund shall estimate the total revenues required to complete the construction of all projects included in a regional destination facility and the amount of revenues to be received by the authority during the first seven calendar years of its existence. At least 90 days before commencement of the second and third full fiscal years of the authority, the board shall update and revise the operating and capital budgets as required under the long-term budget. Cross References. Section 17135 is referred to in sections 17122, 17172 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17136 Capital budgets.

(a) General rule.--At least 90 days before commencement of the ensuing fiscal year of the authority, recommended capital budgets relating to the Regional Destination Facilities Fund and the Regional Growth Fund shall be prepared and submitted to the board. The capital budgets shall show, in detail, the capital expenditures to be made or incurred in the next fiscal year which are to be financed from each fund. The capital budgets shall be adopted by the board no later than the date of the adoption of its annual operating budget as required under section 17137 (relating to operating budget). (b) Vote.--Except for projects contained in a county growth plan, a majority of the members of the board who are residents of a particular participating county must vote in favor of the inclusion in a capital budget for the Regional Growth Fund of any expenditure relating to a project within that county. Projects contained in a county growth plan shall be approved in accordance with sections 17121 (relating to establishment of Regional Growth Fund) and 17122 (relating to use of Regional Growth Fund). (c) Public hearing.--The board shall conduct an annual public hearing regarding the proposed annual capital budget for the Regional Growth Fund. Cross References. Section 17136 is referred to in sections 17122, 17135 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17137 Operating budget.

(a) General rule.--At least 90 days before commencement of the ensuing fiscal year of the authority, a recommended operating budget shall be prepared and submitted to the board. The operating budget shall set forth the estimated receipts and revenues of the authority during the next fiscal year. The operating budget for the next fiscal year shall be adopted by the board at least 30 days before the end of the current fiscal year. (b) Expenses.--The money necessary to pay the administrative expenses of the authority during each fiscal year may be drawn from the Regional Destination Facilities Fund and the Regional Growth Fund. Money drawn under this subsection shall be drawn from the funds in proportion to the amount of time and expense involved in administering each fund. The authority shall not use more than 1% of the total revenues from the taxes imposed under Subchapter E (relating to additional sales and use taxes) to pay the administrative expenses of the authority. (c) Public hearing.--The board shall conduct public hearings and meetings regarding its operating budget. Cross References. Section 17137 is referred to in sections 17135, 17136, 17172 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17138 Restrictions upon activities of board members and employees.

(a) General rule.--A member of the board or an employee of the authority may not, concurrent with the service of the member or employee with the authority, be a party officer, public officer, public official, public employee or a member of the immediate family of a party officer, public officer or public official. This section may not apply to members of the board appointed under section 17132(b)(4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) (relating to board of authority). (b) Applicability.--The provisions of the act of October 4, 1978 (P.L.883, No.170), referred to as the Public Official and Employee Ethics Law, and the act of July 19, 1957 (P.L.1017, No.451), known as the State Adverse Interest Act, are made specifically applicable to board members, officers and employees of the authority. For the purposes of application of the referenced acts, employees of the authority shall be regarded as public employees of the Commonwealth and officers or board members of the authority shall be regarded as public officials of the Commonwealth, regardless of if the employees receive compensation. The authority shall also be subject to 65 Pa.C.S. (relating to public officers) and the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, relating to the inspection and copying of public records.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17139 Exemption from taxation.

The effectuation of the authorized purpose of the authority shall be exclusively for the benefit of the residents of this Commonwealth, the increase of commerce and prosperity and the improvement of health and living conditions. The authority may not be required to pay taxes or assessments upon any property acquired or used by the authority for the purposes under this section, and the bonds issued by the authority and the interest and income related to the bonds shall be free from State and local taxation.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17141 Bonds.

The authority may issue bonds, sell bonds, use net proceeds of bond sales, refund bonds, adopt pledges, mortgages, covenants, indentures and trusts, exercise remedies and confer additional remedies upon persons holding bonds in the same manner as provided in 64 Pa.C.S. Ch. 60 (relating to Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority).

16 Pa.C.S. § 17142 Governmental immunity.

Except as provided by and subject to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 85 Subchs. A (relating to general provisions) and C (relating to actions against local parties), the authority and its officers, officials and employees shall have governmental immunity.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17143 Money of authority.

All money of the authority shall be paid to the treasurer of the authority and invested in the same manner as provided in 64 Pa.C.S. § 6012 (relating to moneys of authority).

16 Pa.C.S. § 17144 Transfer of money.

(a) General rule.-- (1) The central city, the central county or a contiguous county, regardless of if the county is a participating county, and any special-purpose areawide unit of local government located or operating, in whole or in part, in any county may make grants from current and future revenues to the authority and to assist in defraying the costs of managing, operating, maintaining, financing and servicing the debt of regional destination facilities or parts of regional destination facilities, to enter into long-term agreements providing for payment of the costs and to enter into long-term leases or subleases as lessee or sublessee of all or part of a regional destination facility. (2) The city or county may issue general obligation bonds for the purpose of obtaining money for the acquisition or improvement of regional destination facilities or parts of regional destination facilities. (b) Contributions.--The Commonwealth may contribute to the capital costs of constructing regional destination facilities by the issuance of Commonwealth bonds and notes under Article XIX-B of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. A project undertaken by the authority is deemed to be a redevelopment assistance project under which capital money of the Commonwealth may be expended under the act of May 20, 1949 (P.L.1633, No.493), known as the Housing and Redevelopment Assistance Law, and, notwithstanding the provisions of the Housing and Redevelopment Assistance Law, the Department of Community and Economic Development may make capital grants directly to the authority.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17151 Construction of subchapter.

The tax imposed under this subchapter shall be in addition to any tax imposed by the Commonwealth under Article II of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. Except for the differing situs provisions in section 17153 (relating to situs), the provisions of Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1971 shall apply to the tax.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17152 Imposition of additional sales and use taxes.

(a) Tax.--A county shall levy, assess and collect a tax on the purchase price upon each separate sale at retail of tangible personal property or services, as defined in Article II of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, within the boundaries of the participating county in which the electorate has approved the referendum provided under section 17154 (relating to referenda levying additional taxes). The tax shall be collected by the vendor from the purchaser and shall be paid over to the Commonwealth for deposit in the Regional Destination Facilities Fund and the Regional Growth Fund as provided in subsection (f). (b) Use tax.--In each participating county in which the electorate approves the referendum levying the tax authorized under subsection (a), a tax shall be levied, assessed and collected upon the use within the county of the purchase price of tangible personal property purchased at retail and on services purchased at retail as defined in Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1971. The tax shall be paid to the Commonwealth by the individual who makes the use for deposit in the Regional Destination Facilities Fund and the Regional Growth Fund as provided in subsection (f). The use tax imposed under this subsection may not be paid to the Commonwealth by an individual who has paid the tax imposed under subsection (a) or who has paid the tax imposed by this subsection to the vendor with respect to the use. (c) Rate of tax.--The taxes authorized under subsections (a) and (b) shall be imposed at the rate of 0.5% and shall be uniform, upon the same class of subjects and within the territorial limits of the participating counties. (d) Seven-year period.--The taxes imposed under subsections (a) and (b) shall be collected only on sales or uses occurring during the seven-year period from July 1, 1998, through June 30, 2005. (e) Computation.--The taxes imposed under subsections (a) and (b) shall be computed in the manner set forth in section 503(e) of the act of June 5, 1991 (P.L.9, No.6), known as the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Cities of the First Class. (f) Disbursements.--The taxes imposed under subsections (a) and (b) and any interest and penalties on the taxes shall be received by the department and paid by the State Treasurer as follows: (1) Seventy-five percent of the taxes, interest and penalties collected in the central county shall be paid to the Regional Destination Facilities Fund and 25% to the Regional Growth Fund. (2) Twenty-five percent of the taxes, interest and penalties collected in each contiguous county that is a participating county shall be paid to the Regional Destination Facilities Fund and 75% to the Regional Growth Fund. (g) Levying of the tax.--The governing body of a county in which the electorate has approved a referendum levying the taxes provided for in this subchapter may not be required to adopt an ordinance levying the tax. Upon approval of the referendum provided under section 17154, taxes approved by the referendum under this subchapter shall be deemed levied by the governing board under this subchapter. Cross References. Section 17152 is referred to in sections 17121, 17154, 17171 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17153 Situs.

The situs of sales at retail or uses, including leases, of motor vehicles, aircraft, motorcraft and utility services shall be determined in the manner specified by section 504 of the act of June 5, 1991 (P.L.9, No.6), known as the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Cities of the First Class. Cross References. Section 17153 is referred to in section 17151 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17154 Referenda levying additional taxes.

(a) Ballot.--The county board of elections of the central county and each contiguous county shall cause to be printed on the official ballot and ballot labels at the municipal election in November 1997 a referendum to determine the will of the electorate within the county with respect to levying the additional sales and use taxes under this subchapter. (b) Question in central county.--The question as printed on the official ballot and ballot labels in the central county shall be in the following form: REGIONAL RENAISSANCE INITIATIVE Do you favor supporting job creation projects in this county by temporarily increasing the sales tax by 0.5% for seven years, with 75% of the revenues used to fund not more than 1/2 the cost of expanding the Lawrence Convention Center, and constructing facilities in the cultural district, a baseball park and a football stadium; and with the remaining 25% of the revenues used for other economic development projects in Allegheny County? (c) Question in contiguous counties.--The question as printed on the official ballot and ballot labels in the contiguous counties shall be in the following form: REGIONAL RENAISSANCE INITIATIVE Do you favor supporting job creation projects in this county by temporarily increasing the sales tax by 0.5% for seven years, with 75% of the revenues used for economic development, transportation and tourism projects in (name) County; and with 25% of the revenues used to fund not more than 1/2 the cost of expanding the Lawrence Convention Center and constructing facilities in the cultural district, a baseball park and a football stadium in Pittsburgh? (d) Advertisement.--The referenda required under this section shall be advertised and conducted in accordance with the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code. (e) Approval.--Except as provided in subsections (f), (g) and (h), upon certification that the referendum under subsection (a) has been approved in any county, the authority shall be established as under section 17131 (relating to authority established). (f) Partial approval.--If the referendum provided for in this section is not approved by the voters in the central county but is approved by the voters in at least one contiguous county: (1) The Regional Destination Facilities Fund may not be established and all taxes collected by participating counties under section 17152 (relating to imposition of additional sales and use taxes) shall be deposited into the Regional Growth Fund. (2) Members of the board may not be appointed under section 17132(b)(1) and (3) (relating to board of authority). (g) Nonparticipation.--If the referendum under this section is approved by the voters in at least one county but is not approved by the voters in a particular contiguous county, the defeat of the referendum in that contiguous county may not affect the establishment of the authority or the operation of the provisions of this chapter, except that the additional taxes provided for in section 17152 may not be collected in the contiguous county and the contiguous county shall not be a participating county. (h) Defeated referenda.--If the referenda under this section are defeated in the central county and all of the contiguous counties, this subchapter and Subchapters G (relating to Regional Destination Facilities Fund) and H (relating to conveyance of David L. Lawrence Convention Center) shall be of no further force and effect. (i) Hotel tax.--If the referendum under this section is approved by the voters in the central county, the increase in the hotel tax in the central county provided for in section 17161 (relating to increase in rate of hotel tax in central county) shall be reduced to 1.5% during the period that the taxes imposed by section 17152 are collected in the central county. Cross References. Section 17154 is referred to in sections 17113, 17131, 17152, 17161, 17171, 17181 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17155 Licenses.

A license for the collection of the taxes imposed under this subchapter shall be issued in the same manner as is provided for in section 505 of the act of June 5, 1991 (P.L.9, No.6), known as the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Cities of the First Class.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17156 Rules and regulations.

Rules and regulations shall be applicable to the taxes imposed under this subchapter in the same manner as is provided for in section 506(1) and (2) of the act of June 5, 1991 (P.L.9, No.6), known as the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Cities of the First Class.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17157 Collection costs.

(a) General rule.--The department may retain a sum equal to the reasonable and necessary costs of collection and shall inform the authority in writing monthly of the sum retained and the costs of collection reimbursed. To provide a timely forecast and assure consideration of the sum retained, the department shall estimate the costs of collection for the next succeeding fiscal year and provide the estimate, with all supporting detail, to the authority. When the annual operating budget for the department is submitted to the General Assembly, the department shall submit to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives the actual sums retained for costs of collection in the preceding fiscal year, together with all supporting details. (b) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "costs of collection" may not include any charge for overhead or capital costs.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17161 Increase in rate of hotel tax in central county.

(a) General rule.--The rate of the tax imposed under former section 1970.2 of the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, shall be increased by 2% to a rate of 7%, subject to adjustment under section 17154(i) (relating to referenda levying additional taxes), for the period provided in subsection (c). Following the end of the period provided in subsection (c), the tax shall be collected at the rate in effect immediately prior to June 18, 1997. (b) Definitions.--Terms used in this section that are not otherwise defined in this part but are defined in former section 1970.2 of the Second Class County Code shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that section of that act. (c) Tax rate increase.--The increased tax rate required under this section shall apply to and be collected only on rentals of a room or rooms to accommodate transients that occur during the period from September 1, 1997, through the earliest of: (1) February 28, 1999, if the auditorium authority has not, in the period between June 18, 1997, and February 28, 1999, issued any bonds that are secured by the increased tax revenues to be collected under this subchapter and are for the purpose of financing the costs of any of the activities described in subsection (d); (2) the date on which all bonds issued by the auditorium authority that are secured by the increased tax revenues to be collected under this subchapter and are for the purpose of financing construction of the convention center have been retired in full; or (3) August 31, 2027. (d) Distribution of revenues.--The incremental additional revenues received from the tax increase under this section shall be distributed as follows: (1) One-third of the additional tax revenues collected by hotels located within a municipality other than the central city that at the time receives revenues under former section 1970.2(b.1)(2) of the Second Class County Code shall be returned to that municipality and otherwise handled in the same fashion as if the incremental additional revenues returned to the municipality under this paragraph were part of the base revenues disbursed to it under that section. (2) All other incremental additional revenues shall be deposited by the treasurer of the central county with the treasurer of the auditorium authority who shall deposit the revenue in a special fund to be used solely for: (i) Project design and property acquisition in connection with construction of a convention center until the cost of the project design and property acquisition have been completely paid or full funding has been committed. (ii) Following completion of the project design and property acquisition under subparagraph (i), the costs of constructing the convention center. (e) Approval.--Money may not be disbursed under subsection (d)(2)(i) for project design purposes without the approval of the design commission established under section 17162 (relating to Southwestern Pennsylvania Convention Center Design Commission). Cross References. Section 17161 is referred to in sections 17154, 17162 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17162 Southwestern Pennsylvania Convention Center Design Commission.

(a) General rule.--A body corporate and politic to be known as the Southwestern Pennsylvania Convention Center Design Commission is established as a special-purpose government instrumentality exercising the powers conferred by this chapter. The exercise by the design commission of the powers conferred by this chapter is declared to be the performance of an essential public function. (b) Establishment.--The design commission shall be established on June 18, 1997. Once established, the design commission shall continue in existence until the renovations, improvements and expansion of a convention center have been completed. (c) Sovereign immunity.--The following apply: (1) The members, employees and staff of the design commission shall have sovereign immunity as provided in 1 Pa.C.S. § 2310 (relating to sovereign immunity reaffirmed; specific waiver). (2) The members, employees and staff of the design commission shall remain immune from suit except as provided by and subject to the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 85 Subchs. A (relating to general provisions) and B (relating to actions against Commonwealth parties). (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8525 (relating to legal assistance), the design commission through its legal counsel shall defend actions brought against the design commission or its members, officers and employees if acting within the scope of their official duties. (d) Membership.--The design commission shall be composed of the following 15 members: (1) One member appointed by the mayor of the central city. (2) One member appointed by the city council of the central city. (3) Two members appointed by the governing body of the central county. (4) One member appointed by the Governor. (5) One member appointed by the regional planning commission established under 53 Pa.C.S. § 2344 (relating to establishment and organization of regional planning commission) of which the central county is a member. (6) Two members appointed by the Governor who have been nominated by the governing board of the largest private trade or industry association formed to represent the owners of hotels located in the central county only. (7) Two members appointed by the Governor who have been nominated by the governing board of the largest private trade or industry association formed to represent the owners of restaurants located in the central county only. (8) Four members appointed by the governing board of the convention and visitors bureau. (9) The chair of the auditorium authority. (e) Term.--The term of office of the members of the design commission shall be coincident with the term of existence of the design commission. (f) Qualifications.--The members appointed under subsection (d)(8) shall have the following qualifications: (1) One member shall have experience and expertise in planning and marketing national meetings and conventions. (2) One member shall have experience and expertise in planning and marketing consumer shows. (3) One member shall have experience and expertise in marketing convention centers. (4) One member shall have experience and expertise in providing support services for conventions and shows. (g) Election of officers.--The members of the design commission shall elect from members of the commission a chair, secretary and other officers as the commission determines. Each officer shall serve for a term of two years and until a successor is elected and qualified or until death or resignation. A member may not hold more than one office of the design commission at any time. Members may serve successive terms as officers of the design commission. (h) Meetings.--The design commission shall meet as frequently as it deems appropriate, but at least once a month during the first year that it is in existence and thereafter at least once during each calendar quarter. In addition, a meeting of the design commission shall be called by the chair if a request for a meeting is submitted to the chair by at least two members of the design commission. A majority of the members of the design commission in office shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the design commission and for all other purposes. The acts of a majority of the members of the design commission taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the design commission. (i) Powers.--The design commission is granted all powers necessary or convenient to carry out the commission's purpose under this chapter. (j) Reimbursement of expenses.--The members of the design commission shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred while participating in the business of the design commission. Expense reimbursements, as well as all costs associated with conducting the business of the design commission, shall be paid by the auditorium authority out of the special fund established under section 17161(d) (relating to increase in rate of hotel tax in central county). Cross References. Section 17162 is referred to in sections 17113, 17161 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17163 Restrictions of design commission members and employees.

(a) General rule.--A member or employee of the design commission may not, concurrent with the service of the member or employee with the design commission, be a party officer, public officer, public official, public employee or a member of the immediate family of a party officer, public officer or public official. (b) Application of acts.--65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 11 (relating to ethics standards and financial disclosure) and the act of July 19, 1957 (P.L.1017, No.451), known as the State Adverse Interest Act, are made specifically applicable to members and employees of the design commission. For the purposes of application of the acts, employees of the design commission shall be regarded as public employees of the Commonwealth, and members of the design commission shall be regarded as public officials of the Commonwealth, regardless of if the members or employees receive compensation. The design commission shall also be subject to 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings) and the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17164 Design of convention center.

(a) Contracts.--Contracts for the design and planning of the renovations, improvements and expansion of the convention center that are to be funded in whole or in part under this chapter may not be let without the approval of the design commission. The power of the design commission to approve contracts under this subsection shall include all aspects of the contracts, including, without limitation, the identity of the architects, engineers, surveyors and other persons who are parties to the contracts and the terms of the contracts. (b) Approval.--Capital projects for construction of the convention center may not be undertaken unless and until the schematic design and the preliminary design development documents have been approved by the design commission. The design and construction of the convention center may be divided into stages or phases for which schematic design and preliminary design development documents may be approved separately by the design commission and may be undertaken as if each stage or phase were a separate capital project. Further design approval shall not be required if the construction documents are consistent with the design set forth in the schematic and preliminary design development documents.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17171 Establishment of Regional Destination Facilities Fund.

(a) Fund established.--Subject to section 17154(f)(1) (relating to referenda levying additional taxes), the Regional Destination Facilities Fund is established. The treasurer of the authority shall be custodian of the Regional Destination Facilities Fund, which shall be subject to the provisions of law applicable to funds listed in section 302 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code. (b) Source of fund money.--Taxes imposed under Subchapter E (relating to additional sales and use taxes) shall be received by the department and paid to the treasurer of the authority and, along with interest and penalties less any collection costs allowed under Subchapter E and any refunds and credits paid, shall be credited in the manner provided in section 17152(f) (relating to imposition of additional sales and use taxes) to the Regional Destination Facilities Fund not less frequently than every two weeks. Amounts appropriated to the fund by the General Assembly and any contributions received from any other source shall be credited to the Regional Destination Facilities Fund. (c) Limitation on use of fund money.--All money in the Regional Destination Facilities Fund, including money credited under this section, prior year encumbrances and interest earned on money in the fund, shall not lapse or be transferred to any other fund, except as provided in section 17172(c) (relating to use of Regional Destination Facilities Fund), but shall remain in the Regional Destination Facilities Fund and must be used exclusively as provided in this chapter. (d) Interest earnings.--Pending disbursement, money received on behalf of or deposited into the Regional Destination Facilities Fund shall be invested or reinvested in the same manner as is money in the custody of the State Treasurer. All earnings received from the investment or reinvestment of the money shall be credited to the Regional Destination Facilities Fund. Cross References. Section 17171 is referred to in section 17113 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17172 Use of Regional Destination Facilities Fund.

(a) Allocations.--Each long-term budget required by section 17135(b) (relating to initial financial plan) shall provide that the total expenditure of money in the Regional Destination Facilities Fund which has already been made plus the expenditures provided for in the long-term budget are allocated to ensure that the total amount ultimately expected to be deposited in the fund is allocated as follows: (1) Except for the portion of the Regional Destination Facilities Fund used to defray the operating expenses of the authority as provided in section 17137(b) (relating to operating budget), all of the money in the fund shall be used to fund the construction of regional destination facilities and related developments. Not less than 85% shall be used for the construction of the regional destination facilities, with the remaining 15% available for the construction of related developments, such as parking facilities for a baseball park and football stadium. (2) Subject to paragraphs (3), (4), (5) and (6), the total amount of the fund shall be allocated in the manner most likely, in the judgment of the authority, to permit the completion of the construction of all of the regional destination facilities. (3) Not less than 30% nor more than 40% shall be spent on construction of the convention center, but in no event shall the money provided from the fund represent more than 50% of the cost of that project. (4) Not less than 28% nor more than 32% shall be spent on construction of the baseball park, but in no event shall the money provided from the fund represent more than 50% of the cost of that project. (5) Not less than 28% nor more than 32% shall be spent on construction of the football stadium, but in no event shall the money provided from the fund represent more than 50% of the cost of that project. (6) Not less than 5% nor more than 10% shall be spent on construction of the projects described in paragraph (4) of the definition of "regional destination facility," but in no event shall the money provided from the fund represent more than 50% of the individual cost of any of those projects. (b) Baseball park and football stadium costs.--The authority shall ensure that a portion of the cost of constructing the baseball park and the football stadium shall be paid for from private funding sources. The cost of retiring the bonds issued by the authority organized under the act of July 29, 1953 (P.L.1034, No.270), known as the Public Auditorium Authorities Law, and known as the Stadium Authority of The City of Pittsburgh that are outstanding at the time that the stadium owned by the Stadium Authority of The City of Pittsburgh is used neither for professional baseball games nor for professional football games and the cost of demolishing the stadium may be treated as eligible for funding from the Regional Destination Facilities Fund, but none of those costs may be funded under subsection (a)(3) or (6). (c) Transfer to Regional Growth Fund.--Any money in the Regional Destination Facilities Fund that cannot be disbursed as a result of limitations under subsection (a) shall be transferred on July 1, 2005, to the Regional Growth Fund. Cross References. Section 17172 is referred to in section 17171 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 17181 Conveyance of convention center.

(a) Authorization.--The Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, is authorized and directed on behalf of the Commonwealth to grant and convey to the authority, for a consideration of $1, as soon as practicable after the approval in the central county of the referendum required by section 17154 (relating to referenda levying additional taxes), the tract of land, with the structures, facilities, buildings, fixtures and improvements erected on the tract, situate in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and known as the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The conveyance shall include any property adjacent to the convention center that is acquired by the Commonwealth prior to the date of the conveyance and any options to acquire the adjacent property held by the Commonwealth on the date of the conveyance. (b) Easements.--The following apply: (1) The conveyance of the convention center shall be made under and subject to: (i) all easements, servitudes and rights of others, including streets, roadways and rights of a telephone, telegraph, water, electric, sewer, gas or pipeline company; and (ii) any interest, estates or tenancies vested in third persons, whether or not appearing of record, for any portion of the land or improvements erected thereon. (2) The authority shall be bound by the terms of any labor contracts relating to the convention center that are in effect at the time of its conveyance to the authority. (c) Deed of conveyance.--The deed of conveyance shall be approved as provided by law and shall be executed by the Secretary of General Services in the name of the Commonwealth. (d) Costs and fees.--Costs and fees incidental to the conveyance of the convention center shall be borne by the grantee. (e) Construction.--The conveyance of the convention center under this section shall not affect the availability of the revenues from the hotel tax authorized in former section 1970.2 of the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, to fund the operational and maintenance expenditures of the convention center. Cross References. Section 17181 is referred to in section 17113 of this title.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=16Fetched: 10/16/2026