HOUSE AMENDED PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1237, 1277, 1290, PRINTER'S NO. 1314 1297
No. 940 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, WAGNER, LOGAN, BRIGHTBILL, KITCHEN, EARLL, CORMAN, D. WHITE, CONTI AND RAFFERTY, OCTOBER 23, 2003
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, DECEMBER 10, 2003
AN ACT 1 Providing for intergovernmental cooperation in cities of the 2 second class; establishing an intergovernmental authority; 3 providing for financing, for bankruptcy and for sovereign 4 immunity; and making an appropriation. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 Chapter 1. General Provisions 7 Section 101. Short title. 8 Section 102. Purpose and legislative intent. 9 Section 103. Legislative findings. 10 Section 104. Definitions. 11 Chapter 2. Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority for Cities 12 of the Second Class 13 Section 201. Authority established. 14 Section 202. Governing board. 15 Section 203. Powers and duties. 16 Section 204. Term of existence. 17 Section 205. Fiscal year.
1 Section 206. Annual budget of authority. 2 Section 207. Annual report to be filed; annual audits. 3 Section 208. Limit on city borrowing. 4 Section 209. Financial plan of an assisted city. 5 Section 210. Powers and duties of authority with respect to 6 financial plans. 7 Section 211. Limitation on authority and on assisted cities to 8 file petition for relief under Federal 9 bankruptcy law. 10 Section 212. Investment of funds. 11 Section 213. Sovereign immunity. 12 Chapter 7. Miscellaneous Provisions 13 Section 701. Appropriation. 14 Section 702. General rights and prohibitions. 15 Section 703. Nondiscrimination. 16 Section 704. Construction of act. 17 Section 705. Limitation of authority powers. 18 Section 706. Suspension and repeal. 19 Section 707. Effective date. 20 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 21 hereby enacts as follows: 22 CHAPTER 1 23 GENERAL PROVISIONS 24 Section 101. Short title. 25 This act shall be known and may be cited as the 26 Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Cities of the 27 Second Class. 28 Section 102. Purpose and legislative intent. 29 (a) Policy.--It is hereby declared to be a public policy of 30 the Commonwealth to exercise its retained sovereign powers with 20030S0940B1314 - 2 -
1 regard to taxation and matters of Statewide concern in a manner 2 calculated to foster the fiscal integrity of cities of the 3 second class to assure that these cities provide for the health, 4 safety and welfare of their citizens; pay principal and interest 5 owed on their debt obligations when due; meet financial 6 obligations to their employees, vendors and suppliers; and 7 provide for proper financial planning procedures and budgeting 8 practices. The inability of a city of the second class to 9 provide essential services to its citizens as a result of a 10 fiscal emergency is hereby determined to affect adversely the 11 health, safety and welfare not only of the citizens of that 12 municipality but also of other citizens in this Commonwealth. 13 (b) Legislative intent.-- 14 (1) It is the intent of the General Assembly to: 15 (i) provide cities of the second class with the 16 legal tools with which such cities can perform essential 17 municipal services; and 18 (ii) foster sound financial planning and budgetary 19 practices for cities of the second class, which cities 20 shall be charged with the responsibility to exercise 21 efficient and accountable fiscal practices, such as: 22 (A) increased managerial accountability; 23 (B) consolidation or elimination of inefficient 24 city programs and authorities; 25 (C) reevaluation of tax-exemption policies with 26 regard to real property taxes; 27 (D) increased collection of existing tax 28 revenues; 29 (E) privatization of appropriate city services; 30 (F) sale of city assets as appropriate; 20030S0940B1314 - 3 -
1 (G) improvement of procurement practices, 2 including competitive bidding procedures; and 3 (H) review of compensation and benefits of city 4 employees; and 5 (iii) exercise its powers consistent with the rights 6 of citizens to home rule and self-government. 7 (2) The General Assembly further declares that this 8 legislation is intended to remedy the apparent fiscal 9 emergency confronting cities of the second class through the 10 implementation of sovereign powers of the Commonwealth. To 11 safeguard the rights of the citizens to the electoral process 12 and home rule, the General Assembly intends to exercise its 13 power in an appropriate manner with the elected officers of 14 cities of the second class. 15 Section 103. Legislative findings. 16 It is hereby determined and declared as a matter of 17 legislative finding that: 18 (1) Cities of the second class have encountered 19 recurring financial difficulties which may affect the 20 performance of necessary municipal services to the detriment 21 of the health, safety and general welfare of residents of 22 such cities. 23 (2) It is critically important that cities of the second 24 class maintain their creditworthiness. 25 (3) Due to the economic and social interrelationship 26 among all citizens in our economy, the fiscal integrity of 27 cities of the second class is a matter of concern to 28 residents of the entire Commonwealth, and the financial 29 problems of such cities have a direct and negative effect on 30 the entire Commonwealth. 20030S0940B1314 - 4 -
1 (4) Because cities of the second class consume a 2 substantial proportion of the products of Pennsylvania's 3 farms, factories, manufacturing plants and service 4 enterprises, economic difficulties confronting cities of the 5 second class detrimentally affect the economy of the 6 Commonwealth as a whole and become a matter of Statewide 7 concern. 8 (5) Because residents of cities of the second class 9 contribute a substantial proportion of all Commonwealth tax 10 revenues, a disruption of the economic and social life of 11 such cities may have a significant detrimental effect upon 12 Commonwealth revenues. 13 (6) The financial difficulties of cities of the second 14 class can best be addressed and resolved by cooperation 15 between governmental entities. 16 (7) The Constitution of Pennsylvania grants 17 municipalities authority to cooperate with other governmental 18 entities in the exercise of any function or responsibility. 19 (8) The Commonwealth retains certain sovereign powers 20 with respect to cities of the second class, among them the 21 powers to authorize and levy taxes, to authorize the 22 incurring of indebtedness and to provide financial assistance 23 that may be necessary to assist cities in solving their 24 financial problems. 25 (9) The Commonwealth may attach conditions to grants of 26 authority to incur indebtedness or assistance to cities of 27 the second class in order to ensure that deficits are 28 eliminated and access to capital markets is achieved and 29 maintained. 30 (10) Such conditions shall be incorporated into 20030S0940B1314 - 5 -
1 intergovernmental cooperation agreements between the 2 Commonwealth or its instrumentalities and cities of the 3 second class. 4 (11) Cities of the second class and the Commonwealth 5 will benefit from the creation of an independent authority 6 composed of members experienced in finance and management 7 which may advise such cities, the General Assembly and the 8 Governor concerning solutions to fiscal problems cities of 9 the second class may face. 10 (12) The creation of such an authority will allow such 11 cities to continue to provide the necessary municipal 12 services for their residents and to contribute to the economy 13 of the Commonwealth. 14 (13) Several task forces have studied the fiscal 15 condition of a city of the second class and have published 16 findings and suggestions regarding the fiscal structure of 17 the city and actions that could be taken concerning 18 preservation of the financial viability of the city into the 19 future. Those reports, widely known as the Competitive 20 Pittsburgh report, the PGH 21 report and the Governor's 21 Pittsburgh Economic Improvement Task Force report should be 22 evaluated by the authority in making its recommendations to 23 the city. However, it is intended that the authority 24 established by this act examine the fiscal affairs of the 25 entire city of the second class, including all of its 26 authorities and related corporate entities. 27 Section 104. Definitions. 28 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 29 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 30 context clearly indicates otherwise: 20030S0940B1314 - 6 -
1 "Assisted city." A city of the second class which receives 2 assistance from the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority for 3 Cities of the Second Class. The term includes any municipal 4 authority, other authority or other corporate entity which 5 directly or indirectly performs a governmental function on 6 behalf of the city, is directly or indirectly controlled by the 7 city or to which the city has direct or indirect power of 8 appointment or has directly or indirectly pledged or designated 9 the city's revenues or the city's credit. 10 "Authority." The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority for 11 Cities of the Second Class established in section 201. 12 "Board." The governing board of the Intergovernmental 13 Cooperation Authority for Cities of the Second Class. 14 "City." A city of the second class. 15 "City account." A trust fund held for the exclusive benefit 16 of an assisted city. 17 "Corporate entity." A municipal authority, other authority 18 or other corporate entity which performs a governmental function 19 on behalf of the city or to which the city has power of 20 appointment or has pledged or designated revenues. 21 "Deficit." Such negative fund balance in any principal 22 operating fund or funds of a city or corporate entity existing 23 at the beginning of a fiscal year or projected to exist as of 24 the close of a fiscal year, as may be more specifically 25 identified, calculated and set forth in an intergovernmental 26 cooperation agreement or financial plan of an assisted city 27 described in section 209. 28 "Federal agency." The United States, the President of the 29 United States and any department or corporation, agency or 30 instrumentality created, designated or established by the United 20030S0940B1314 - 7 -
1 States. 2 "Governing body." The legislative body of a city. 3 "Government agency." The Governor, departments, boards, 4 commissions, authorities and other officers and agencies of 5 State government, including those which are not subject to the 6 policy supervision and control of the Governor, any political 7 subdivision, municipal or other local authority, and any officer 8 or agency of any such political subdivision or local authority, 9 but the term does not include any court or other officer or 10 agency of the unified judicial system or the General Assembly or 11 its officers and agencies. 12 "Intergovernmental cooperation agreement." Any agreement 13 made by the authority and a city under the provisions of section 14 203(d). 15 "Party officer." The following members or officers of any 16 political party: 17 (1) a member of a national committee; 18 (2) a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer or 19 counsel of a State committee or member of the executive 20 committee of a State committee; 21 (3) a county chairman, vice chairman, counsel, secretary 22 or treasurer of a county committee; or 23 (4) a chairman, vice chairman, counsel, secretary, 24 treasurer or ward leader of a city or municipal committee. 25 "Public official." Any elected or appointed official or 26 employee in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of the 27 Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, provided that 28 it shall not include members of advisory boards that have no 29 authority to expend public funds other than reimbursement for 30 personal expense or to otherwise exercise the power of the 20030S0940B1314 - 8 -
1 Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof. The term 2 shall not include any appointed official who receives no 3 compensation other than reimbursement for actual expenses. 4 "QUALIFIED MAJORITY." A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD WHICH INCLUDES <-- 5 ANY FOUR VOTING MEMBERS. 6 CHAPTER 2 7 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AUTHORITY FOR 8 CITIES OF THE SECOND CLASS 9 Section 201. Authority established. 10 A body corporate and politic to be known as the 11 Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority for Cities of the Second 12 Class is established as a public authority and instrumentality 13 of the Commonwealth, exercising public powers of the 14 Commonwealth as an agency and instrumentality thereof. The 15 exercise by the authority of the powers conferred by this act is 16 hereby declared to be and shall for all purposes be deemed and 17 held to be the performance of an essential public function. 18 Section 202. Governing board. 19 (a) Composition of board.-- 20 (1) The powers and duties of the authority shall be 21 exercised by a governing board composed of five members: 22 (i) One member shall be appointed by the President 23 pro tempore of the Senate. 24 (ii) One member shall be appointed by the Minority 25 Leader of the Senate. 26 (iii) One member shall be appointed by the Speaker 27 of the House of Representatives. 28 (iv) One member shall be appointed by the Minority 29 Leader of the House of Representatives. 30 (v) One member shall be appointed by the Governor. 20030S0940B1314 - 9 -
1 (vi) The Secretary of the Budget AND the director of <-- 2 finance of each assisted city and any person appointed, <-- 3 prior to the effective date of this act, as coordinator 4 for the assisted city pursuant to section 221(a) of the 5 act of July 10, 1987 (P.L.246, No.47), known as the 6 Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, shall serve as ex 7 officio members of the board. The board and any appointed <-- 8 coordinator shall cooperate in the sharing of reports, 9 information and recommendations with regard to the 10 assisted city. The ex officio members may not vote and 11 shall not be counted for purposes of establishing a 12 quorum. The Secretary of the Budget and the director of 13 finance of each assisted city may designate in writing a 14 representative of their respective offices to attend 15 meetings of the board on their behalf. 16 (2) All members and designees must have substantial 17 experience in finance or management. 18 (3) All members of the board must be residents of this 19 Commonwealth and, except the Secretary of the Budget and any <-- 20 person appointed, prior to the effective date of this act, as 21 coordinator for the assisted city pursuant to section 221(a) 22 of the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, must either be 23 residents of the assisted city or have their primary places 24 of business or employment in that city. 25 (b) Term.--Appointing authorities shall appoint the initial 26 members of the board within ten days of the effective date of 27 this act, and the appointed members shall select a chairperson 28 from among themselves at the initial organizational meeting of 29 the board and upon any subsequent vacancy in the office of 30 chairperson. The term of a board member shall begin on the date 20030S0940B1314 - 10 -
1 of the appointment. A member's term shall be coterminous with 2 that of the appointing authority. The member selected as 3 chairperson shall serve in that capacity for two years from the 4 date of selection or for the duration of his term on the board, 5 whichever is less, and may be reelected to subsequent two-year 6 terms. An appointed board member shall serve at the pleasure of 7 the member's appointing authority. Whenever a vacancy occurs 8 among the appointed members on the board, whether prior to or on 9 the expiration of a term, the appointing authority who 10 originally appointed the board member whose seat has become 11 vacant shall appoint a successor member within 30 days of the 12 vacancy. A member appointed by an appointing authority to fill a 13 vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of a term shall serve 14 the unexpired term. 15 (c) Organization.--The appointees of the President pro 16 tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 17 Representatives shall set a date, time and place for the initial 18 organizational meeting of the board within five days of the 19 appointment of the initial members of the board. The initial 20 organizational meeting shall be held within 20 days of the 21 effective date of this act. In addition to chairperson, the 22 members shall elect such other officers as they may determine. A 23 member may hold more than one office of the board at any time. 24 (d) Meetings.--After the initial organizational meeting, the 25 board shall meet as frequently as it deems appropriate but at 26 least once during each quarter of the fiscal year. In addition, 27 a meeting of the board shall be called by the chairperson if a 28 request for a meeting is submitted to the chairperson by at 29 least two members of the board. A majority of the board shall 30 constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business 20030S0940B1314 - 11 -
1 of the board and for all other purposes. All actions of the 2 board shall be taken by a majority of the board, EXCEPT THAT <-- 3 ACTIONS IN RELATION TO SECTION 203(C)(4)(XXX) SHALL BE TAKEN BY 4 A QUALIFIED MAJORITY. The provisions of 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 5 (relating to open meetings) shall apply to the board. 6 (e) Expenses.--A member shall not receive compensation or 7 remuneration, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for all 8 reasonable and necessary actual expenses. 9 (f) Employees and agents.--The board shall fix and determine 10 the number of employees of the authority and their respective 11 compensation and duties. The board may contract for or receive 12 the loan of services of persons in the employ of other 13 government agencies, and other government agencies shall be 14 authorized to make such employees available. The board may 15 retain an executive director upon a majority vote. The board 16 may, by a majority vote, hire an independent general counsel to 17 the authority and may engage consultants and contract for other 18 professional services upon a majority vote. The board may, upon 19 the approval of a majority, delegate to the executive director 20 such powers of the board as the board deems necessary to carry 21 out the purposes of the authority, subject in every case to the 22 supervision and control of the board. 23 (g) Public officials and party officers; conflicts of 24 interest prohibited.-- 25 (1) Except for the Secretary of the Budget, the director 26 of finance of an assisted city and any person appointed, 27 prior to the effective date of this act, as coordinator for 28 the assisted city pursuant to section 221(a) of the 29 Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, neither members of the 30 board nor the executive director shall seek or hold a 20030S0940B1314 - 12 -
1 position as any other public official within this 2 Commonwealth or as a party officer while in the service of 3 the authority. Members of the board and the executive 4 director shall not seek election as public officials or party 5 officers for one year after their service with the authority. 6 Members of the board and the executive director may serve as 7 appointive public officials any time after their periods of 8 service with the authority. 9 (2) Employees and agents of the authority shall not seek 10 or hold other positions as public officials or party officers 11 while in the employ of the authority. The authority may 12 receive the loan of services of persons in other government 13 agencies in accordance with subsection (f), notwithstanding 14 that such persons are public officials. Employees of the 15 authority shall not seek election as public officials or 16 party officers for one year after leaving the employ of the 17 authority. 18 (3) No member of the board or employee of the authority 19 may directly or indirectly be a party to or be interested in 20 any contract or agreement with the authority or with the 21 assisted city. No member or employee may use his office or 22 employment or any confidential information received through 23 his office or employment for the private pecuniary benefit of 24 himself, a member of his immediate family, or a business with 25 which he or a member of his immediate family is associated. 26 Any member or employee who shall willfully violate this 27 provision shall forfeit his office or employment and shall be 28 subject to such other criminal and civil sanctions as may be 29 imposed by law. Any contract or agreement knowingly made in 30 contravention of this provision is void. 20030S0940B1314 - 13 -
1 (h) Statutes applying to authority.-- 2 (1) The provisions of the following acts shall apply to 3 the authority: 4 (i) 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings). 5 (ii) The act of June 21, 1957 (P.L.390, No.212), 6 referred to as the Right-to-Know Law. 7 (iii) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), the act 8 of July 19, 1957 (P.L.1017, No.451), known as the State 9 Adverse Interest Act. 10 (iv) The act of October 4, 1978 (P.L.883, No.170), 11 referred to as the Public Official and Employee Ethics 12 Law. 13 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of the State Adverse 14 Interest Act, the Secretary of the Budget and the director of 15 finance of each assisted city shall, while serving as ex 16 officio members of the board, also serve in their official 17 capacities with respect to the negotiation and execution of 18 intergovernmental cooperation agreements and other agreements 19 between an assisted city and the authority. 20 (i) Advisory committee.-- 21 (1) The board may appoint by majority vote an advisory 22 committee comprised of professionals engaged in municipal 23 management and finance or other experts as it may deem 24 necessary. The members of an advisory committee shall reside 25 within an assisted city or a county within the statistical 26 metropolitan area in which the assisted city is located. 27 (2) The provisions of subsection (g) shall be applicable 28 to members of an advisory committee; however, the board may 29 allow city council to designate a liaison from city council 30 to serve on an advisory committee. 20030S0940B1314 - 14 -
1 (3) An advisory committee shall consist of no more than 2 six members, excluding any council liaison. 3 Section 203. Powers and duties. 4 (a) General powers and duties.--The authority is established 5 for the purposes, without limitation, by itself or by agreement 6 in cooperation with others, of assisting cities in solving their 7 budgetary and financial problems. 8 (b) Specific duties.--The authority shall have the powers 9 and its duties shall be: 10 (1) To assist cities in achieving financial stability in 11 any manner consistent with the purposes and powers described 12 by this act. 13 (2) To assist cities in avoiding defaults, eliminating 14 and financing deficits, maintaining sound budgetary practices 15 and avoiding the interruption of municipal services. 16 (3) To negotiate intergovernmental cooperation 17 agreements with cities containing such terms and conditions 18 as will enable such cities to eliminate and avoid deficits, 19 maintain sound budgetary practices and avoid interruption of 20 municipal services. 21 (4) To make annual signed reports within 120 days after 22 the close of the assisted city's fiscal year, commencing with 23 the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003, to the Governor and 24 the General Assembly describing the city's financial 25 condition and the authority's progress with respect to 26 restoring the financial stability of assisted cities and 27 achieving balanced budgets for assisted cities. Such reports 28 shall be filed with the Governor, with the presiding officers 29 of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the 30 chairperson and minority chairperson of the Appropriations 20030S0940B1314 - 15 -
1 Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and the minority 2 chairperson of the Appropriations Committee of the House of 3 Representatives and with the governing body, mayor and 4 controller of the assisted city and be publicly available in 5 the assisted city during normal business hours for public 6 inspection, and may be reproduced by any member of the public 7 at commercial costs of reproduction. Such report shall 8 clearly show by consistent category the last five years of 9 operating revenues and expenditures, capital expenditures, 10 gross and net indebtedness transactions, including a schedule 11 of principal and interest, five-year projections of the 12 assisted city's operating and capital budgets, and the entire 13 projected indebtedness transactions, including a schedule of 14 principal and interest of such indebtedness until any and all 15 debt has been completely retired. Such report shall contain a 16 narrative explaining progress of the assisted city in meeting 17 its annual and five-year budgetary objectives, an appraisal 18 by the authority of the progress the assisted city is making 19 to achieve its goals, and an appraisal of the extent to which 20 the assisted city is making a good faith effort to achieve 21 its goals. Such report shall disclose any violations of 22 Federal and State law that the authority may have discovered. 23 Such report shall include as appendices all historical loans 24 or other contracts entered into by the assisted city and its 25 authorities. 26 (c) Specific powers.--In addition to the powers and duties 27 set forth elsewhere in this act, the authority shall have the 28 specific powers: 29 (1) To obtain copies of all reports and documents 30 regarding the revenues, expenditures, budgets, deficits, 20030S0940B1314 - 16 -
1 costs, plans, operations, estimates and any other financial 2 or budgetary matters of an assisted city. 3 (2) To obtain additional reports and information on the 4 above matters in such form as are deemed necessary by the 5 authority. 6 (3) To make factual findings concerning an assisted 7 city's budgetary and fiscal affairs. 8 (4) To make recommendations to an assisted city 9 concerning conditions of approval of budgets and financial 10 plans. Recommendations under this paragraph may include: 11 (i) Consolidation or merger of services performed by 12 an assisted city, school, county or other surrounding 13 municipality. 14 (ii) Consolidation of public safety services. 15 (iii) Appropriate staffing levels of city 16 departments and corporate entities. 17 (iv) Cooperative agreements or contractual 18 arrangements between health care facilities licensed by 19 the Department of Health. 20 (v) Financial or contractual obligations of the 21 assisted city. 22 (vi) Contributions of nonprofit or charitable 23 organizations which receive the benefit of municipal 24 services provided by the assisted city. 25 (vii) Reduction or restructuring of debt 26 obligations. 27 (viii) Cooperative agreements between the assisted 28 city and the county in which it is located or 29 municipalities which border the assisted city. 30 (ix) Cooperative agreements between the assisted 20030S0940B1314 - 17 -
1 city and the school district in which it is located. 2 (x) Collective bargaining agreements and other 3 contracts of the assisted city. 4 (xi) Elimination, sale or transfer of assisted city 5 services or property. 6 (xii) Implementation of cost-saving measures by the 7 assisted city. 8 (xiii) Increased managerial accountability. 9 (xiv) Performance of government operations and 10 delivery of municipal services. 11 (xv) Reevaluation of tax-exemption policies and 12 practices with regard to real property taxation within 13 the assisted city. 14 (xvi) Improvements in procurement practices. 15 (xvii) Implementation of user fees for services, 16 including sewage, water treatment and refuse collection. 17 (xviii) Privatization and competitive bidding of 18 appropriate assisted city services. 19 (xix) Increased collection of fines and costs 20 relating to parking violations or violations of other 21 city ordinances. 22 (xx) When appropriate, filing for bankruptcy under 23 11 U.S.C. Ch. 9 (relating to adjustment of debts of a 24 municipality). 25 (xxi) The use of technology to achieve cost savings. 26 (xxii) A study of health care and other benefits 27 offered by the assisted city to its employees. 28 (xxiii) The sale of the assisted city's worker's 29 compensation fund. 30 (xxiv) The sale of unencumbered assets of the 20030S0940B1314 - 18 -
1 assisted city or its authorities. 2 (xxv) The elimination or reorganization of 3 authorities or departments. 4 (xxvi) The use by the assisted city of revenues 5 received under the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, 6 No.230), known as the Second Class County Code. 7 (xxvii) The use of budgetary practices and 8 principles as they relate to forecasting, public 9 openness, projections, estimates, tax policy, lending, 10 borrowing and strategic planning. 11 (xxviii) The transfers of employees and assets by 12 and between bureaus, departments and authorities of the 13 assisted city. 14 (xxix) Prior suggestions published by others prior 15 to the enactment of this act with regard to the assisted 16 city. 17 (xxx) Reviewing the taxing authority of the city as 18 compared with the taxing authority of school districts of 19 the first class A. 20 (5) To make recommendations to the Governor and the 21 General Assembly regarding legislation or resolutions which 22 relate to an assisted city's fiscal stability. The authority 23 shall submit a preliminary report of the recommendations to 24 the Governor and the General Assembly within 90 days of the 25 effective date of this act. 26 (6) To exercise powers of review concerning the 27 budgetary and fiscal affairs of the assisted city consistent 28 with this act and the city's home rule charter or other 29 optional plan of government. 30 (7) To receive revenues from any source, directly or by 20030S0940B1314 - 19 -
1 assignment, pledge or otherwise. 2 (8) To sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, 3 interplead, complain and defend in all courts. 4 (9) To adopt, use and alter at will a corporate seal. 5 (10) To make bylaws for the management and regulation of 6 its affairs and adopt rules, regulations and policies in 7 connection with the performance of its functions and duties 8 which, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the 9 contrary, shall not be subject to review pursuant to the act 10 of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the Regulatory 11 Review Act. 12 (11) To make and enter into contracts and other 13 instruments necessary or convenient for the conduct of its 14 business and the exercise of the powers of the authority. 15 (12) To appoint officers, agents, employees and servants 16 and to prescribe their duties and to fix their compensation 17 as set forth in section 202(f). 18 (13) To retain counsel and auditors to render such 19 professional services as the authority deems appropriate. The 20 authority shall not be considered either an executive agency 21 or an independent agency for the purpose of the act of 22 October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth 23 Attorneys Act, but shall possess the same status for such 24 purpose as the Auditor General, State Treasurer and the 25 Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, except that the 26 provisions of section 204(b) and (f) of the Commonwealth 27 Attorneys Act shall not apply to the authority; 28 notwithstanding 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 85 (relating to matters 29 affecting government units), the authority, through its legal 30 counsel, shall defend actions brought against the authority 20030S0940B1314 - 20 -
1 or its members, officers, officials and employees when acting 2 within the scope of their official duties. 3 (14) To cooperate with any Federal agency or government 4 agency. 5 (15) To acquire, by gift or otherwise, purchase, hold, 6 receive, lease, sublease and use any franchise, license, 7 property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible or 8 any interest therein. However, the authority shall be 9 absolutely limited in its power to acquire real property 10 under this act to real property that will be used only for 11 the office space in which the authority will conduct its 12 daily business if necessary. If possible, an assisted city 13 shall provide office space to the authority at no cost to the 14 authority as part of an intergovernmental cooperation 15 agreement. 16 (16) To sell, transfer, convey and dispose of any 17 property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible or 18 any interest therein. 19 (17) To enter into contracts for group insurance and to 20 contribute to retirement plans for the benefit of its 21 employees and to enroll its employees in an existing 22 retirement system of a government agency. 23 (18) To accept, purchase or borrow equipment, supplies, 24 services or other things necessary or convenient to the work 25 of the authority from other government agencies, and all 26 government agencies are authorized to sell, lend or grant to 27 the authority such equipment, supplies, services or other 28 things necessary or convenient to the work of the authority. 29 (19) To invest any funds held by the authority as set 30 forth in section 212. 20030S0940B1314 - 21 -
1 (20) To receive and hold assets, moneys and funds from 2 any source, including, but not limited to, appropriations, 3 grants, gifts. 4 (21) To procure insurance, guarantees and sureties the 5 authority determines necessary or desirable for its purposes. 6 (22) To pledge the credit of the authority as the 7 authority determines necessary or desirable for its purposes. 8 (23) To do all acts and things necessary or convenient 9 for the promotion of its purposes and the general welfare of 10 the authority and to carry out the powers granted to it by 11 this act or any other acts. 12 (d) Intergovernmental cooperation agreements.--The authority 13 shall have the power and its duty shall be to enter into and to 14 implement fully such intergovernmental cooperation agreements 15 with cities as are approved by a majority of the board. The 16 following shall apply: 17 (1) A city may enter into an intergovernmental 18 cooperation agreement in which it, consistent with this act, 19 covenants to cooperate or agree in the exercise of any 20 function, power or responsibility with, or delegate or 21 transfer any function, power or responsibility to, the 22 authority upon the adoption by the governing body of such 23 city of an ordinance authorizing and approving the 24 intergovernmental cooperation agreement. 25 (2) An ordinance that authorizes a city to enter into an 26 intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the authority 27 shall specify: 28 (i) the purpose and objectives of the agreement; 29 (ii) the conditions of the agreement; and 30 (iii) the term of the agreement, including 20030S0940B1314 - 22 -
1 provisions relating to its termination. 2 (e) Limitation.--Notwithstanding any purpose or general or 3 specific power granted by this act or any other act, whether 4 express or implied, the authority shall have no power to pledge 5 the credit or taxing powers of the Commonwealth. 6 Section 204. Term of existence. 7 The authority shall exist for a term of at least seven years. 8 If, after seven years, an assisted city has had annual operating 9 budgets and five-year financial plans approved by the board for 10 at least the three immediately preceding years, the Secretary of 11 Community and Economic Development shall certify that the 12 authority is no longer needed; and the provisions of this 13 chapter will no longer be in effect 90 days following that 14 certification. Upon termination of the authority, records and 15 documents of the authority shall be transferred to the director 16 of finance of the assisted city. The authority shall submit a 17 final report on its activities and the city's fiscal condition 18 to the Governor and the General Assembly within 60 days of its 19 termination. 20 Section 205. Fiscal year. 21 The fiscal year of the authority shall be the same as the 22 fiscal year of the Commonwealth. 23 Section 206. Annual budget of authority. 24 (a) Budget.--Before March 1, 2004, for the fiscal year July 25 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005, and before October 15, 2005, and each 26 October 15 thereafter, the authority shall adopt a budget by a 27 majority of the board setting forth in reasonable detail the 28 projected expenses of operation of the authority for the ensuing 29 fiscal year, including the salary and benefits of the executive 30 director and any other employees of the authority, and the 20030S0940B1314 - 23 -
1 projected revenues of the authority to be derived from 2 investment earnings and any other moneys of the authority which 3 are estimated to be available to pay the operating expenses set 4 forth in the budget. A copy of the authority's budget shall be 5 submitted to the Governor and to the General Assembly. The 6 authority or its designated representatives may be afforded an 7 opportunity to appear before the Governor and the Appropriations 8 Committee of the Senate and the Appropriations Committee of the 9 House of Representatives regarding the authority's budget. 10 (b) Limit on operating expenses.--Following the submission 11 of the authority's budget to the Governor and the General 12 Assembly and any hearing held by an appropriations committee 13 under subsection (a), the General Assembly, by concurrent 14 resolution with presentment to the Governor, in accordance with 15 section 9 of Article III of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, 16 may limit the operating expenses of the authority. In that 17 event, it shall be unlawful for the authority to spend more for 18 operating expenses than the limit established for that fiscal 19 year by the concurrent resolution. If the General Assembly does 20 not adopt a concurrent resolution prior to May 30, the 21 authority's budget shall be deemed approved for that fiscal 22 year. 23 (c) Funding.--After July 1, 2005, upon request of the 24 authority and pursuant to the limits established in subsection 25 (b), the city shall annually fund any portion of the budget of 26 the authority which exceeds the authority's State appropriation, 27 including its reasonable and necessary expenses and costs 28 incurred for consultants engaged by the board to carry out its 29 duties. 30 (d) Examination of books.--The chairperson and minority 20030S0940B1314 - 24 -
1 chairperson of the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and 2 the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Appropriations 3 Committee of the House of Representatives shall have the right 4 at any time to examine the books, accounts and records of the 5 authority. 6 Section 207. Annual report to be filed; annual audits. 7 The authority shall file a signed annual report with the 8 chairperson and the minority chairperson of the Appropriations 9 Committee of the Senate and chairperson and the minority 10 chairperson of the Appropriations Committee of the House of 11 Representatives, which shall make provisions for the accounting 12 of revenues and expenses. The authority shall have its books, 13 accounts and records audited annually in accordance with 14 generally accepted auditing standards by an independent auditor 15 who shall be a certified public accountant, and a copy of his 16 audit report shall be attached to and be made a part of the 17 authority's annual report. A concise financial statement shall 18 be published annually in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 19 Section 208. Limit on city borrowing. 20 A city and its corporate entities may not borrow or receive 21 funds for any lawful purpose unless the city has entered into an 22 intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the authority and 23 there is an approved financial plan in effect. 24 Section 209. Financial plan of an assisted city. 25 (a) Requirement of a financial plan.--An assisted city shall 26 develop, implement and periodically revise a financial plan as 27 described in this section. 28 (b) Elements of plan.--The financial plan shall include: 29 (1) Projected revenues and expenditures of the principal 30 operating fund or funds of the assisted city for five fiscal 20030S0940B1314 - 25 -
1 years consisting of the current fiscal year and the next four 2 fiscal years. 3 (2) Plan components that will: 4 (i) eliminate any projected deficit for the current 5 fiscal year and for subsequent fiscal years; 6 (ii) restore to special fund accounts money from 7 those accounts used for purposes other than those 8 specifically authorized; 9 (iii) balance the current fiscal year budget and 10 subsequent budgets in the financial plan through sound 11 budgetary practices, including, but not limited to, 12 reductions in expenditures, improvements in productivity, 13 increases in revenues or a combination of these steps; 14 (iv) provide procedures to avoid a fiscal emergency 15 condition in the future; and 16 (v) enhance the ability of the assisted city to 17 access short-term and long-term credit markets. 18 (c) Standards for formulation of plan.-- 19 (1) All projections of revenues and expenditures in a 20 financial plan shall be based on prudent, reasonable and 21 appropriate assumptions and methods of estimation, all such 22 assumptions and methods to be consistently applied and 23 reported in the financial plan. The financial plan of an 24 assisted city shall not include projected revenue that in 25 order to be collected requires the enactment by the General 26 Assembly of new taxing powers. 27 (2) All revenue and appropriation estimates shall be on 28 a modified accrual basis in accordance with generally 29 accepted standards agreed to by the authority such as those 30 promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. 20030S0940B1314 - 26 -
1 Revenue estimates shall recognize revenues in the accounting 2 period in which they become both measurable and available. 3 Estimates of city-generated revenues shall be based on 4 current or proposed tax rates, historical collection patterns 5 and generally recognized econometric models. Estimates of 6 revenues to be received from the State government shall be 7 based on historical patterns, currently available levels or 8 on levels proposed in a budget by the Governor. Estimates of 9 revenues to be received from the Federal Government shall be 10 based on historical patterns, currently available levels or 11 on levels proposed in a budget by the President or in a 12 congressional budget resolution. Nontax revenues shall be 13 based on current or proposed rates, charges or fees, 14 historical patterns and generally recognized econometric 15 models. Appropriation estimates shall include, at a minimum, 16 all obligations incurred during the fiscal year and estimated 17 to be payable during the fiscal year or in the 24-month 18 period following the close of the current fiscal year and all 19 obligations of prior fiscal years not covered by encumbered 20 funds from prior fiscal years. Any deviations from these 21 standards of estimating revenues and appropriations proposed 22 to be used by an assisted city shall be specifically 23 disclosed and shall be approved by a majority of the board. 24 (3) All cash flow projections shall be based upon 25 reasonable and appropriate assumptions as to sources and uses 26 of cash, including, but not limited to, reasonable and 27 appropriate assumptions as to the timing of receipt and 28 expenditure thereof, and shall provide for operations of the 29 assisted city to be conducted within the resources so 30 projected. All estimates shall take due account of the past 20030S0940B1314 - 27 -
1 and anticipated collection, expenditure and service demand 2 experience of the assisted city and of current and projected 3 economic conditions. 4 (d) Form of plan.--Each financial plan shall, consistent 5 with the requirements of an assisted city's home rule charter or 6 optional plan of government: 7 (1) be in such form and shall contain: 8 (i) for each of the first two fiscal years covered 9 by the financial plan, such information as shall reflect 10 an assisted city's total expenditures by fund and by lump 11 sum amount for each board, commission, department or 12 office of an assisted city; and 13 (ii) for the remaining three fiscal years of the 14 financial plan, such information as shall reflect an 15 assisted city's total expenditures by fund and by lump 16 sum amount for major object classification; 17 (2) include projections of all revenues and expenditures 18 for five fiscal years, including, but not limited to, 19 projected capital expenditures and short-term and long-term 20 debt incurrence and cash flow forecasts by fund for the first 21 year of the financial plan; 22 (3) include a schedule of projected capital commitments 23 of the assisted city and proposed sources of funding for such 24 commitments; and 25 (4) be accompanied by a statement describing, in 26 reasonable detail, the significant assumptions and methods of 27 estimation used in arriving at the projections contained in 28 such plan. 29 (e) Annual submission of plan.--On or before December 30, <-- 30 2003 WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, an <-- 20030S0940B1314 - 28 -
1 assisted city shall develop, and the authority shall review and 2 act upon, an initial five-year financial plan which includes a 3 report on the status of implementation of prior published 4 suggestions regarding consolidation and cost savings. During 5 each subsequent fiscal year, the mayor or chief executive 6 officer of each assisted city shall, at least 100 days prior to 7 the beginning of its fiscal year or on such other date as the 8 authority may approve upon the request of the assisted city, 9 prepare and submit its proposed five-year plan. At the same time 10 the plan is submitted, the mayor or chief executive officer 11 shall also submit to the authority: 12 (1) the mayor's or chief executive officer's proposed 13 annual operating budget and capital budget which shall be 14 consistent with the first year of the financial plan and 15 which shall be prepared in accordance with the assisted 16 city's home rule charter or other optional plan of 17 government; and 18 (2) a statement by the mayor or chief executive officer 19 that such budget: 20 (i) is consistent with the financial plan; 21 (ii) contains funding adequate for debt service 22 payments, legally mandated services and lease payments 23 securing bonds of other government agencies; 24 (iii) is based upon prudent, reasonable and 25 appropriate assumptions and methods of estimation; and 26 (iv) complies with any balanced budget requirements 27 contained in the charter and ordinances of the city or 28 State law. 29 (f) Balanced budget requirement.--The mayor of every city 30 and assisted city shall submit, and the city council of every 20030S0940B1314 - 29 -
1 city and assisted city shall adopt, a balanced budget each year 2 consistent with the requirements of 53 Pa.C.S. § 3016 (relating 3 to form and adoption of budget), and the city's or assisted 4 city's home rule charter or other optional plan of government. A 5 balanced budget of a city or assisted city shall not include 6 projected revenues that in order to be collected require the 7 enactment by the General Assembly of new taxing powers or the 8 approval of a court of common pleas of the county in which the 9 city or assisted city is located. The failure of a city or 10 assisted city to comply with this subsection shall result in the 11 withholding of Commonwealth funds pursuant to section 210(e) and 12 (f). 13 (g) Authority review and approval of plan.-- 14 (1) The authority shall promptly review each financial 15 plan, proposed operating budget and capital budget submitted 16 by the assisted city. In conducting such review, the 17 authority shall request from the city controller of the 18 assisted city an opinion or certification prepared in 19 accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, with 20 respect to the reasonableness of the assumptions and 21 estimates in the financial plan. The city controller and 22 other elected officials shall comply with any such request 23 from the authority. Not more than 30 days after submission of 24 a financial plan and proposed operating budget, the authority 25 shall determine whether: 26 (i) the financial plan projects balanced budgets, 27 based upon prudent, reasonable and appropriate 28 assumptions as described in this section, for each year 29 of the plan; and 30 (ii) the proposed operating budget and capital 20030S0940B1314 - 30 -
1 budget are consistent with the proposed financial plan. 2 If the authority determines that these criteria are 3 satisfied, the authority shall approve such financial plan by 4 a majority vote. 5 (2) The authority shall not be bound by any opinions or 6 certifications of the city controller of the assisted city 7 issued pursuant to this subsection. 8 (3) If the authority fails to take any action within 30 9 days on a financial plan, the financial plan as submitted 10 shall be deemed approved. However, if during the 30 days a 11 written request by two members of the authority board for a 12 meeting and vote on the question of approval of the financial 13 plan has been submitted to the chairperson and a meeting and 14 vote do not take place, the financial plan shall be deemed 15 disapproved. 16 (h) Authority disapproval of plan.-- 17 (1) If the authority disapproves the proposed financial 18 plan, the authority shall, when it notifies an assisted city 19 of its decision, state in writing in reasonable detail the 20 reasons for such disapproval, including the amount of any 21 estimated budget imbalance. 22 (2) The assisted city shall submit a revised financial 23 plan to the authority within 15 days of such disapproval, 24 which revised plan eliminates the budget imbalance. Not more 25 than 15 days after the submission of such revised financial 26 plan, the authority shall determine whether the revised plan 27 satisfies the criteria set forth in subsection (g)(1). If the 28 authority determines that these criteria are satisfied, the 29 authority shall approve such financial plan by a majority 30 vote. If the authority shall not so approve the financial 20030S0940B1314 - 31 -
1 plan, then the authority shall, in accordance with section 2 210(e), certify the assisted city's noncompliance with the 3 financial plan to the Secretary of the Budget, the President 4 pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 5 Representatives. 6 (i) Revisions to plan.-- 7 (1) The plan shall be revised on an annual basis to 8 include the operating budget for the next fiscal year and to 9 extend the plan for an additional fiscal year. In addition, 10 the mayor or chief executive officer of a city shall, within 11 90 days of assuming office, propose revisions to the 12 financial plan or certify to the authority that he or she 13 adopts the existing plan. An assisted city may, during the 14 course of a fiscal year, submit proposed revisions to the 15 financial plan and shall submit a proposed revision for any 16 amendment to the city's operating or capital budget. 17 (2) The authority shall review each proposed revision 18 within 20 days of its submission. The authority shall approve 19 the revision if it will not, based on prudent, reasonable and 20 appropriate assumptions, cause the plan to become imbalanced. 21 Proposed revisions shall become part of the financial plan 22 upon the approval of a majority of the authority board, 23 unless some other method of approval is permitted by 24 authority rules and regulations approved by a majority or 25 pursuant to an agreement with the city contained in an 26 intergovernmental cooperation agreement. If the authority 27 fails to take action within 20 days on a proposed revision, 28 such submission shall be deemed approved unless a written 29 request for a meeting and vote has been made in accordance 30 with subsection (g)(3) in which event, if a meeting and vote 20030S0940B1314 - 32 -
1 does not take place, the proposed revision shall be deemed 2 disapproved. 3 (3) If the governing body of a city adopts a budget 4 inconsistent with an approved financial plan, the assisted 5 city shall submit the enacted budget to the authority as a 6 proposed revision to the plan. The authority shall review the 7 proposed revision within 30 days of its submission, in 8 accordance with the criteria set forth in subsection (g) and 9 the approval process set forth in paragraph (2). 10 (j) Supplemental reports.--Within 45 days of the end of each 11 fiscal quarter, or monthly if a variation from the financial 12 plan has been determined in accordance with section 210(c), the 13 mayor or chief executive officer of an assisted city shall 14 provide the authority with reports describing actual or current 15 estimates of revenues and expenditures compared to budgeted 16 revenues and expenditures for such period reflected in its cash 17 flow forecast. Each report required under this section shall 18 indicate any variance between actual or current estimates and 19 budgeted revenues, expenditures and cash for the period covered 20 by such report. An assisted city shall also provide periodic 21 reports on debt service requirements in conformity with section 22 210(b). 23 (k) Effect of plan upon contracts and collective bargaining 24 agreements.-- 25 (1) A contract or collective bargaining agreement in 26 existence in an assisted city prior to the approval by the 27 authority of a financial plan submitted pursuant to this 28 section shall remain effective after approval of such plan 29 until such contract or agreement expires. 30 (2) After the approval by the authority of a financial 20030S0940B1314 - 33 -
1 plan submitted pursuant to this section, an assisted city 2 shall execute contracts and collective bargaining agreements 3 in compliance with such plan. If an assisted city executes a 4 contract or a collective bargaining agreement which is not in 5 compliance with the plan, the contract or agreement shall not 6 be void or voidable solely by reason of such noncompliance, 7 but the assisted city shall submit to the authority a 8 proposed revision to the plan which demonstrates that 9 revenues sufficient to pay the costs of the contract or 10 collective bargaining agreement will be available in the 11 affected fiscal years of the plan. 12 (l) Effect of plan upon certain arbitration awards.-- 13 (1) After the approval by the authority of a financial 14 plan submitted pursuant to this section, any determination of 15 a board of arbitration established pursuant to the provisions 16 of the act of June 24, 1968 (P.L.237, No.111), referred to as 17 the Policemen and Firemen Collective Bargaining Act, 18 providing for an increase in wages or fringe benefits of any 19 employee of an assisted city under the plan, in addition to 20 considering any standard or factor required to be considered 21 by applicable law, shall take into consideration and accord 22 substantial weight to: 23 (i) the approved financial plan; and 24 (ii) relevant market factors, such as the financial 25 situation of the assisted city, inflation, productivity, 26 size of work force and pay and benefit levels in 27 economically and demographically comparable political 28 subdivisions. 29 (2) Such determination shall be in writing and a copy 30 thereof shall be forwarded to each party to the dispute and 20030S0940B1314 - 34 -
1 the authority. Any determination of the board of arbitration 2 which provides for an increase in wages or fringe benefits of 3 any employee of an assisted city shall state with specificity 4 in writing all factors which the board of arbitration took 5 into account in considering and giving substantial weight to 6 the factors referred to in paragraph (1). 7 (3) Any party to a proceeding before a board of 8 arbitration may appeal to the court of common pleas to 9 review: 10 (i) consideration under paragraph (1); or 11 (ii) failure of the board of arbitration to issue a 12 determination under paragraph (2). 13 (4) An appeal under paragraph (3) must be commenced not 14 later than 30 days after the issuance of a final 15 determination by the board of arbitration. 16 (5) The decision of the board of arbitration shall be 17 vacated and remanded to the board of arbitration if the court 18 finds: 19 (i) that the board of arbitration failed to take 20 into consideration and accord substantial weight to the 21 factors referred to in paragraph (1); or 22 (ii) that the board of arbitration has failed to 23 issue a determination under paragraph (2). 24 (6) If, after the exhaustion of all appeals, the final 25 arbitration award is not in compliance with the approved 26 financial plan, the award shall not be void or voidable 27 solely by reason of such noncompliance, but the assisted city 28 shall submit to the authority a proposed revision to the plan 29 which demonstrates that revenues sufficient to pay the costs 30 of the award will be available in the affected fiscal years 20030S0940B1314 - 35 -
1 of the plan. 2 Section 210. Powers and duties of authority with respect to 3 financial plans. 4 (a) Formulation and approval of plan.--To advance the 5 financial recovery of each assisted city, the authority shall 6 require the assisted city to submit a five-year financial plan 7 in accordance with section 209. With regard to the formulation 8 of such plan, the authority shall: 9 (1) Consult with an assisted city as it prepares the 10 financial plan. 11 (2) Prescribe the form of the financial plan. 12 (3) Prescribe the supporting information required in 13 connection with such plan, such information to include at a 14 minimum: 15 (i) debt service payments due or projected to be due 16 during the relevant fiscal years; 17 (ii) payments for legally mandated services included 18 in the plan and due or projected to be due during the 19 relevant fiscal years; and 20 (iii) a statement in reasonable detail of the 21 significant assumptions and methods of estimation used in 22 arriving at the projections in the plan. 23 (4) Exercise any rights of approval or disapproval and 24 issue such recommendations as are authorized by this act in 25 accordance with the standards for formulation of the plan set 26 forth in section 209(c). 27 (b) Authority functions after plan is approved.--After a 28 financial plan has been approved, the authority shall: 29 (1) Receive and review: 30 (i) the financial reports submitted by the mayor or 20030S0940B1314 - 36 -
1 chief executive officer of a city under section 209(j); 2 (ii) reports concerning the debt service 3 requirements on all bonds, notes of the assisted city and 4 lease payments of the assisted city securing bonds or 5 other government agencies for the following quarter, 6 which reports shall be in such form and contain such 7 information as the authority shall determine, and which 8 shall be issued no later than 60 days prior to the 9 beginning of the quarter to which they pertain, and shall 10 be updated immediately upon each issuance of bonds or 11 notes, by the assisted city or execution of a lease 12 securing bonds of another government agency, after the 13 date of such report to reflect any change in debt service 14 requirements as a result of such issuance; and 15 (iii) any additional information provided by the 16 assisted city concerning changed conditions or unexpected 17 events which may affect the assisted city's adherence to 18 the financial plan. The reports described in subparagraph 19 (ii) shall be certified by the city controller. 20 (2) Determine, on the basis of information and reports 21 described in paragraph (1), whether an assisted city has 22 adhered to the financial plan. 23 (c) Variation from the plan.--If the authority determines, 24 based upon reports submitted by an assisted city under 25 subsection (b) or independent audits, examinations or studies of 26 the assisted city's finances obtained under subsection (i)(3), 27 that an assisted city's actual revenues and expenditures vary 28 from those estimated in the financial plan, the authority shall 29 require the city to provide such additional information as the 30 authority deems necessary to explain the variation. The 20030S0940B1314 - 37 -
1 authority shall take no action with respect to an assisted city 2 for departures from the financial plan in a fiscal quarter if: 3 (1) the city provides a written explanation for the 4 variation that the authority deems reasonable; 5 (2) the city proposes remedial action which the 6 authority believes will restore the assisted city's overall 7 compliance with the financial plan; 8 (3) information provided by the city in the immediately 9 succeeding quarterly financial report demonstrates that the 10 assisted city is taking such remedial action and otherwise 11 complying with the plan; and 12 (4) the assisted city submits monthly supplemental 13 reports in accordance with section 209(j) until it regains 14 compliance with the financial plan. 15 (d) Authority may make recommendations.--The authority may 16 at any time issue recommendations as to how an assisted city may 17 achieve compliance with the financial plan and shall provide 18 copies of such recommendations to the mayor or chief executive 19 officer and the governing body of the city and to the officials 20 named in section 203(b)(5). 21 (e) When Commonwealth shall withhold funds.-- 22 (1) The authority shall certify to the Secretary of the 23 Budget an assisted city's noncompliance with the financial 24 plan during any period when the authority has determined by 25 the vote of a majority that the assisted city has not adhered 26 to the plan and has not taken acceptable remedial action 27 during the next quarter following such departure from the 28 plan. 29 (2) The authority shall certify to the Secretary of the 30 Budget that an assisted city is not in compliance with the 20030S0940B1314 - 38 -
1 plan if the assisted city: 2 (i) has no financial plan approved by the authority, 3 has failed to provide requested documents or has failed 4 to file a financial plan with the authority; 5 (ii) has failed to file mandatory revisions to the 6 plan or reports as required by section 209(i), (j), (k) 7 or (l); or 8 (iii) has not been compelled to file a financial 9 plan, a mandatory revision to the plan or a report 10 through a mandamus action authorized under subsection 11 (j). 12 (3) If the authority certifies that an assisted city is 13 not in compliance with the financial plan under paragraph (1) 14 or (2), the Secretary of the Budget shall notify the city 15 that such certification has been made and that each grant, 16 loan, entitlement or payment to the assisted city by the 17 Commonwealth shall be suspended pending compliance with the 18 financial plan. Funds withheld shall be held in escrow by the 19 Commonwealth until compliance with the plan is restored as 20 set forth in paragraph (4). Funds held in escrow pursuant to 21 this subsection shall not lapse pursuant to section 621 of 22 the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The 23 Administrative Code of 1929, or any other law. 24 (4) The authority shall, by majority vote, determine 25 when the conditions which caused an assisted city to be 26 certified as not in compliance with the financial plan have 27 ceased to exist and shall promptly notify the Secretary of 28 the Budget of such vote. The Secretary of the Budget shall 29 thereupon release all funds held in escrow, together with all 30 interest and income earned thereon during the period held in 20030S0940B1314 - 39 -
1 escrow, and the disbursements of amounts in the city account 2 shall resume. 3 (f) Exemptions.--Notwithstanding the provisions of 4 subsection (e), the following shall not be withheld from an 5 assisted city: 6 (1) funds granted or allocated to an assisted city 7 directly from an agency of the Commonwealth or from the 8 Federal Government for distribution by the Commonwealth after 9 the declaration of a disaster resulting from a catastrophe; 10 (2) funds for capital projects under contract in 11 progress; 12 (3) pension fund payments required by law; and 13 (4) funds the assisted city has pledged to repay bonds 14 or notes. 15 (g) Effect of Commonwealth's failure to disburse funds.--The 16 provisions of subsection (e) shall not apply and an assisted 17 city shall not be found to have departed from the financial plan 18 due to the Commonwealth's failure to pay any money, including 19 payment of Federal funds distributed by or through the 20 Commonwealth, due to the assisted city from moneys appropriated 21 by the General Assembly. 22 (h) Assisted city to determine expenditure of available 23 funds.--Nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the 24 power of an assisted city to determine, from time to time, 25 within available funds of the assisted city, the purposes for 26 which expenditures are to be made by the assisted city and the 27 amounts of such expenditures then permitted under the financial 28 plan of the assisted city. 29 (i) Documents and examinations to be reviewed or undertaken 30 by the authority.--The authority shall: 20030S0940B1314 - 40 -
1 (1) receive from an assisted city and review the 2 reports, documents, budgetary and financial planning data and 3 other information prepared by or on behalf of such assisted 4 city and which are to be made available to the authority 5 under this act; 6 (2) inspect and copy such books, records and information 7 of an assisted city as the authority deems necessary to 8 accomplish the purposes of this act; and 9 (3) conduct or cause to be conducted such independent 10 audits, examinations or studies of an assisted city's 11 finances as the authority deems appropriate. 12 (j) Remedies of authority for failure of an assisted city to 13 file financial plans and reports.--In the event that an assisted 14 city shall fail to file with the authority any financial plan, 15 revision to a financial plan, report or other information 16 required to be filed with the authority pursuant to this act, 17 the authority, in addition to all other rights which the 18 authority may have at law or in equity, shall have the right by 19 mandamus to compel the assisted city and the officers, employees 20 and agents thereof to file with the authority the financial 21 plan, revision to a financial plan, report or other information 22 which the assisted city has failed to file. The authority shall 23 give the assisted city written notice of the failure of the 24 assisted city to file and of the authority's intention to 25 initiate an action under this subsection and shall not initiate 26 such an action earlier than ten days after the giving of such 27 notice. 28 Section 211. Limitation on authority and on assisted cities to 29 file petition for relief under Federal bankruptcy 30 law. 20030S0940B1314 - 41 -
1 (a) Limitation on bankruptcy filing.--Notwithstanding any 2 other provision of law, the authority and any assisted city 3 shall not be authorized to file a petition for relief under 11 4 U.S.C. Ch. 9 (relating to adjustments of debts of a 5 municipality) or any successor Federal bankruptcy law, and no 6 government agency shall authorize the authority or such city to 7 become a debtor under 11 U.S.C. Ch. 9 or any successor Federal 8 bankruptcy law. 9 (b) Bankruptcy filing approval.--In addition to the 10 limitation set forth in subsection (a), and notwithstanding any 11 other provision of law, no city shall be authorized to file a 12 petition for relief under 11 U.S.C. Ch. 9 or any successor 13 Federal bankruptcy law, unless such petition has been submitted 14 to, and the filing thereof has been approved in writing by the 15 Governor. The Governor is designated, in accordance with 11 16 U.S.C. § 109(c)(2) (relating to who may be a debtor), as the 17 organization of the Commonwealth which shall have power to 18 approve or disapprove the filing of any such petition of a 19 political subdivision, and to approve or disapprove any plan of 20 readjustment of the debts of any such political subdivision 21 prepared, filed and submitted with the petition to the court, as 22 provided under 11 U.S.C. Ch. 9. 23 (c) Review of bankruptcy petition.-- 24 (1) When any such petition shall be submitted to the 25 Governor for approval, accompanied with a proposed plan of 26 readjustment of the debts of a city, the Governor shall make 27 a careful and thorough investigation of the financial 28 condition of such city, of its assets and liabilities, of its 29 sinking fund, and whether the affairs thereof are managed in 30 a careful, prudent and economic manner in order to ascertain 20030S0940B1314 - 42 -
1 whether the presentation of such petition is justified, or 2 represents an unjust attempt by such city to evade payment of 3 some of its contractual obligations, and, if the Governor 4 believes that such petition should be approved, whether the 5 plan of readjustment submitted will be helpful to the 6 financial condition of the city and is feasible and, at the 7 same time, fair and equitable to all creditors. 8 (2) The Governor shall also, prior to giving his 9 approval, ascertain the amount, if any, of the obligations of 10 any such petitioning city which is held by any agency or 11 agencies of the State government as trust funds and shall, 12 before approving any such petition and plan of readjustment, 13 consult with and give every such agency an opportunity to be 14 heard and the privilege to examine the findings of the 15 Governor resulting from the investigation required to be made 16 under this act, and shall likewise hear any other creditor of 17 such city, whether resident in or outside this Commonwealth, 18 who shall apply therefor. 19 (3) The Governor, if he approves a petition, shall, 20 before giving his approval, require such modification in the 21 proposed plan for readjusting the debts as to him appears 22 proper. 23 Section 212. Investment of funds. 24 Funds of the authority which are not required for immediate 25 use may be invested in obligations of an assisted city or in 26 obligations of the Federal Government or of the Commonwealth or 27 obligations which are legal investments for Commonwealth funds. 28 However, no money may be invested in obligations issued by or 29 obligations guaranteed by an assisted city without the approval 30 of a majority of the board. 20030S0940B1314 - 43 -
1 Section 213. Sovereign immunity. 2 Members of the board shall not be liable personally for any 3 obligations of the authority. It is hereby declared to be the 4 intent of the General Assembly that the authority created by 5 this act and its members, officers, officials and employees 6 shall enjoy sovereign and official immunity, as provided in 1 7 Pa.C.S. § 2310 (relating to sovereign immunity reaffirmed; 8 specific waiver), and shall remain immune from suit except as 9 provided by and subject to the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8501 10 (relating to definitions) through 8528 (relating to limitations 11 on damages). 12 CHAPTER 7 13 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 14 Section 701. Appropriation. 15 The sum of $200,000 is hereby appropriated from the General 16 Fund to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority for Cities 17 of the Second Class as a continuing appropriation for the 18 purpose of providing operating funds for the Intergovernmental 19 Cooperation Authority for Cities of the Second Class. This 20 appropriation shall lapse June 30, 2005. 21 Section 702. General rights and prohibitions. 22 Nothing in this act shall limit the rights or impair the 23 obligations of any assisted city to comply with the provisions 24 of any contract in effect on the effective date of this act or 25 shall in any way impair the rights of the obligees of any 26 assisted city with respect to any such contract. 27 Section 703. Nondiscrimination. 28 The authority shall comply in all respects with the 29 nondiscrimination and contract compliance plans used by the 30 Department of General Services to assure that all persons are 20030S0940B1314 - 44 -
1 accorded equality of opportunity in employment and contracting 2 by the authority and its contractors, subcontractors, assignees, 3 lessees, agents, vendors and suppliers. 4 Section 704. Construction of act. 5 (a) Liberal construction.--The provisions of this act 6 providing for security for and rights and remedies of obligees 7 of the authority shall be liberally construed to achieve the 8 purposes stated and provided for by this act. 9 (b) Severability.--If any provision of the title or any 10 chapter, section or clause of this act, or the application 11 thereof to any person, party, corporation, public or private, 12 shall be judged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, 13 such order or judgment shall be confined in its operation to the 14 controversy in which it was rendered and shall not affect or 15 invalidate the remainder of any provision of the title or any 16 chapter or any section or clause of this act, or the application 17 of any part thereof to any other person, party, corporation, 18 public or private, or circumstance, and, to this end, the 19 provisions of the title or any chapter, section or clause of 20 this act hereby are declared to be severable. It is hereby 21 declared as the legislative intent that this act would have been 22 adopted had any provision declared unconstitutional not been 23 included herein. 24 Section 705. Limitation of authority powers. 25 Except as provided in section 210(i), nothing contained in 26 this act shall be construed to confer upon the authority any 27 powers with respect to a school district. 28 Section 706. Suspension and repeal. 29 (a) Suspension.-- Unless a determination of municipal <-- 30 financial distress is issued to a city of the second class by 20030S0940B1314 - 45 -
1 the Secretary of Community and Economic Development prior to the 2 effective date of this act, the (A) SUSPENSION.--THE provisions <-- 3 of the act of July 10, 1987 (P.L.246, No.47), known as the 4 Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, with the exception of 5 section 123(a), are suspended as to cities of the second class 6 until the termination of the authority established by this act. 7 If the provisions of this act and the Municipalities Financial 8 Recovery Act are determined to be in conflict, the provisions of 9 this act shall govern. 10 (b) General.--All other acts or parts of acts are repealed 11 insofar as they are inconsistent with this act. 12 Section 707. Effective date. 13 This act shall take effect immediately. J14L11BIL/20030S0940B1314 - 46 -