Pennsylvania SB 243: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in disposition of Commonwealth surplus land, further providing for limited definitions, for annual property survey, for property disposition and for conditions upon conveyances; and making an editorial change.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 196
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 243
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY COLEMAN, ROTHMAN AND STEFANO, FEBRUARY 13, 2025
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 13, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), entitled
"An act providing for and reorganizing the conduct of the
executive and administrative work of the Commonwealth by the
Executive Department thereof and the administrative
departments, boards, commissions, and officers thereof,
including the boards of trustees of State Normal Schools, or
Teachers Colleges; abolishing, creating, reorganizing or
authorizing the reorganization of certain administrative
departments, boards, and commissions; defining the powers and
duties of the Governor and other executive and administrative
officers, and of the several administrative departments,
boards, commissions, and officers; fixing the salaries of the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and certain other executive
and administrative officers; providing for the appointment of
certain administrative officers, and of all deputies and
other assistants and employes in certain departments, boards,
and commissions; providing for judicial administration; and
prescribing the manner in which the number and compensation
of the deputies and all other assistants and employes of
certain departments, boards and commissions shall be
determined," in disposition of Commonwealth surplus land,
further providing for limited definitions, for annual
property survey, for property disposition and for conditions
upon conveyances; and making an editorial change.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Article XXIV-A heading of the act of April 9,
1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of
1929, is amended to read:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

ARTICLE XXIV-A
DISPOSITION OF COMMONWEALTH [SURPLUS] LAND
Section 2. The definition of "surplus property" in section
2401-A of the act is amended to read:
Section 2401-A. Limited Definitions.--The following words
and phrases when used in this article shall have, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them
in this section:
* * *
"Surplus property." Any buildings, land or other real estate
owned by the Commonwealth that under section 2402-A(a) has been
deemed surplus to the needs of the administering agency which
has current use of the property. The definition of and the
designation of surplus property shall not apply to any lands
designated as State parks or State forests or any lands acquired
by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission or the Pennsylvania
Game Commission.
Section 3. Sections 2402-A(c), 2403-A and 2405-A of the act
are amended to read:
Section 2402-A. Annual Property Survey.--* * *
(c) For all [real property identified as surplus by an
agency] surplus property, the department shall determine whether
any other agencies have an appropriate use for the property. If
it is desirable and appropriate to transfer surplus property to
another agency [property that has been deemed surplus by the
administering agency currently using the property], the
department shall prepare a plan for transfer of the surplus
property. Upon approval of the transfer plan by the General
Counsel and the Secretary of Budget and Administration, use of
the surplus property shall be transferred to the agency that can
20250SB0243PN0196 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

make the best use of the surplus property.
Section 2403-A. Surplus Property Disposition [Plan.--] Plan;
and Commonwealth Land Disposition.--(a) The department shall
annually develop a plan for the orderly disposition of all [real
property deemed surplus by the agency currently in possession of
the property, which property is not suitable for use by another
agency] surplus property.
(b) The plan shall consider the following factors in
proposing the manner and schedule for property disposition:
(1) Whether the property should be leased, transferred in
fee simple, or transferred with a restriction as to use, right
of reversion, or other special deed provisions.
(2) Whether the land should be retained in agricultural use
or as open space for recreation or conservation. A determination
whether land should be preserved as open space or in
agricultural use shall be made in consultation with the
Department of Agriculture, the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental [Resources]
Protection and the Department of Community [Affairs] and
Economic Development.
(3) Likely cost savings and expenses to the Commonwealth
arising from the proposed property disposition.
(4) The needs of local governments, charitable institutions,
and local volunteer fire and rescue squads.
(5) The likely revenue to be generated by the sale of the
property and the needs of the Commonwealth for those