Pennsylvania SR 177: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a legislative task force with an advisory committee of stakeholders to review, update and codify Pennsylvania's emergency management services law.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1243, 1259 PRINTER'S NO. 1280
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 177
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, BROOKS, LANGERHOLC, STEFANO AND BAKER,
OCTOBER 16, 2025
AS AMENDED, OCTOBER 27, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a
legislative task force with an advisory committee of
stakeholders to review, update and codify Pennsylvania's
emergency management services law.
WHEREAS, Emergency management is a core function of
government; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Code, contained
within Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, directs and authorizes every political
subdivision to have an emergency management program that
includes a trained Emergency Management Coordinator, an
Emergency Operations Plan and a functioning Emergency Operations
Center with a trained staff; and
WHEREAS, Title 35 has not been updated since 1996, although
our emergency response network has improved dramatically over
the past 30 years; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative to update the Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Code to reflect the lessons learned over
the past 30 years; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
establish a legislative task force with an advisory committee of
experts to review, update and codify Pennsylvania's emergency
management services law; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the legislative task force consist of:
(1) the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the
Senate or their designees;
(2) the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the
House of Representatives or their designees;
(3) the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Senate Fire and EMS Caucus or their designees; and
(4) the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
House Fire and EMS Caucus or their designees;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee consist of:
(1) the Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency or a designee;
(2) the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner or a
designee;
(3) the Director of the Bureau of EMS in the Department
of Health or a designee;
(4) the Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police or a
designee;
(5) the Director of Homeland Security or a designee;
(6) the president of the County Commissioners
Association of Pennsylvania or a designee, and a county
director of emergency services;
(7) the president of the Pennsylvania Municipal League
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or a designee, and a city director of emergency services;
(8) the president of the Pennsylvania State Association
of Boroughs or a designee, and a borough director of
emergency services;
(9) the president of the Pennsylvania State Association
of Township Commissioners or a designee, and a director of
emergency services in a second class township;
(10) the president of the Pennsylvania State Association
of Township Supervisors or a designee, and a director of
emergency services in a first class township;
(11) a representative of the Regional Task Forces;
(12) the president of the Keystone Emergency Management
Association or a designee;
(13) the president of the Pennsylvania Association of
School Resource Officers or a designee; and
(14) The president of the Pennsylvania Career Fire
Chiefs Association or a designee; AND
(15) THE PRESIDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FIREFIGHTERS
ASSOCIATION OR A DESIGNEE;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee analyze current
challenges facing the emergency management and hazardous
materials response community and identify strengths and
weaknesses; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee seek input and develop
recommendations for improvement from State, local, regional and
county agency management and hazardous materials response
stakeholders; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee may hold public
meetings and make its investigations at places it deems
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necessary in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee develop and recommend
legislation to improve the delivery of emergency services; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission make a
final report of all legislative recommendations by November 30,
2026, which shall be submitted to the chairperson of the
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the
Senate and the chairperson of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency
Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the members of the advisory committee serve
without compensation but shall be reimbursed for all necessary
and re