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Thompson Bill Would Allow Aid in Emergencies
HARRISBURG -- Legislation
introduced by Senator Robert J. Thompson, R-Chester and Chairman of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, would set specific guidelines for political
subdivisions to donate or loan resources during an emergency.
Senator Thompson said the
need for the provisions included in Senate Bill 928 became apparent after two
devastating hurricanes slammed the Gulf Coast. Many local governments opened
their warehouses and offered leave to their employees as a way to help in the
relief efforts in the Gulf Coast. Yet, even as that aid headed south, a
question arose as to whether state law allowed those municipalities to take
those steps.
"We took the question to the
state Local Government Commission and found out that there is nothing in state
statute that addressed that issue," said Senator Thompson. "It wasn't
specifically permitted or prohibited. In fact, it was a gray area, especially
when it came to donating and/or lending resources that were purchased using
taxpayers' money."
Specifically, political
subdivisions (counties, municipalities, school districts) could only provide the
aid within 60 days of a state of emergency declared by the President or Governor
and further that the assistance, be it goods or personnel, be provided with no
detriment to the local subdivision.
"For example, say a
community has an old, but serviceable water pump in storage. Currently, some
questions could arise whether the community could lend or give the pump to help
in the relief effort in New Orleans without letting it go out for competitive
bidding first," Senator Thompson said. "This would clarify the conditions under
which that assistance could be provided and codify them in state statute."
Senator Thompson's
legislation would not affect any of the mutual aid agreements currently existing
in the Commonwealth. Those agreements are usually designed to allow
municipalities to provide police, fire department and/or EMS services during
emergencies.
"My bill is enabling
legislation, not a restrictive bill," Senator Thompson said. "We have seen
several major catastrophes in our nation, especially since 9-11. In those
cases, the scope of the disaster simply overwhelmed the local resources. Many
individuals and communities in Pennsylvania answered the call for help then and
will do so again in the future as necessary. My bill provides a standard under
which the assistance can be provided."
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