Senate State Government Committee advances broadband proposals, repurpose of Lt. Gov. Residence, three other bills

HARRISBURG – The Senate State Government Committee approved bills aimed at improving access to broadband, repurposing the Lieutenant Governor’s residence, honoring the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans and studying the use of state-owned facilities during a voting meeting at the state Capitol today, according to acting committee chair, Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York).

Legislation that the committee approved include:

  • Senate Bill 327, sponsored by Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks), would require the state’s Department of General Services (DGS) to conduct an annual survey of usage of state-owned facilities.
  • Senate Bill 470, sponsored by Phillips-Hill, and House Bill 305, sponsored by Representative Pam Snyder (D-Greene/Fayette/Washington), would require DGS to inventory all state-owned assets for the purpose of deploying high-speed broadband in unserved and underserved areas of the Commonwealth.
  • Senate Bill 532, sponsored by Phillips-Hill, would create special days of observance to recognize the bravery, sacrifices and contributions of United States Armed Forces veterans and allies who served in the Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism.
  • Senate Bill 750, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson), would require state to repurpose the Lieutenant Governor’s residence to support programs for veterans and the National Guard.
  • House Bill 1222, sponsored by Representative Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin), amends Title 10 to streamline the existing law by consolidating the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act and the Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act.

“We took important action on a variety of issues at today’s meeting that have been the culmination of efforts on multiple fronts ranging from improving access to high-speed internet to repurposing the unused Lieutenant Governor’s residence,” Phillips-Hill said.

You can watch the committee meeting here.

Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) chairs a Senate State Government Committee at the state Capitol on Tuesday. The committee approved six bills including efforts aimed at improving access to high-speed internet, improving accountability of state-owned and leased office space, and paving the way for the reuse of the Lieutenant Governor’s residence.