Establishing the Pennsylvania Census Commission; and imposing duties on the Joint State Government Commission.
Impact
The bill would amend Title 71 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, creating a formal structure for overseeing census activities. This includes the appointment of several key members from various state departments, indicating a comprehensive approach to addressing the complexities of the census process. The commission's duties will encompass raising awareness about the census, promoting participation, and ensuring that traditionally hard-to-count populations receive adequate outreach and assistance. Furthermore, the commission would be responsible for issuing reports that track the progress of these initiatives and develop strategies for future census events.
Summary
House Bill 2053 aims to establish the Pennsylvania Census Commission as part of the state's government framework. The main purpose of the bill is to enhance the effectiveness of census activities within Pennsylvania by advising the Governor and the General Assembly on census-related matters. By forming this commission, the bill seeks to address barriers affecting participation and accuracy in the Federal decennial census, an essential component for all levels of government representation and resource allocation.
Contention
While the bill appears to have broad support due to its focus on improving census participation, there may be concerns about the effectiveness of government commissions in achieving their goals, especially in communities that historically experience undercounting. Critics may argue that merely establishing a commission does not guarantee results unless there are robust mechanisms for outreach and engagement with diverse communities. The emphasis on data gathering and the commission's performance in addressing local needs will be crucial points of discussion as the bill progresses through the legislative process.
Establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers and duties; establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians Restricted Account; and establishing the Advisory Committee to Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers, duties and membership.
Establishing the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Program and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Establishing the Safe Communities Grant Program and the Safe Communities Grant Program Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Providing for Child Victim Recovery Fee; establishing the Child Victim Recovery Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Providing for investigations; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania State Police and the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission.
Providing for civilian community relations specialists; establishing the Civilian Community Relations Specialists Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Providing for the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System and the Green Alert System and for duties of the Pennsylvania State Police; assessing costs; providing for immunity and penalties; and making a repeal.
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and establish an advisory committee to determine the impact on Pennsylvania taxpayers of Pennsylvania State Police full or partial police services for municipalities that do not maintain full police coverage.
Authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority certain lands situate in the City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County; authorizing the transfer of an easement interest in lands for a portion of the Project 70 lands owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, known as Lake Winola Access, in Overfield Township, Wyoming County, to the Department of Transportation; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to convey to Tioga County a tract of land, and to accept a tract of land from Tioga County, both tracts being located in Charleston Township, Tioga County; and authorizing the Department of General Services, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with the approval of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, solely for the use of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, a parcel in Lehigh Township, Carbon County, in exchange for a tract partly in Nesquehoning Borough and partly in Lehigh Township, Carbon County, to be conveyed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting by and through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and added to Lehigh Gorge State Park.