PA SR177

Joint State Government Commission directed to establish a legislative task force and advisory committee to review, update, and codify Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Code (Title 35), which has not been updated since 1996

Legislative task force consists of 8 members: chairpersons and minority chairpersons from the Senate and House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees, plus the Senate and House Fire and EMS Caucuses

Advisory committee includes 15 stakeholder representatives from state agencies (PEMA, State Police, Homeland Security, Fire Commissioner, Bureau of EMS) and associations representing counties, municipalities, townships, boroughs, fire chiefs, firefighters, school resource officers, and emergency management professionals

Advisory committee will analyze current challenges in emergency management and hazardous materials response, hold public meetings, seek stakeholder input, and develop legislative recommendations

Final report with legislative recommendations due by November 30, 2026, to be submitted to the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee chairpersons in both chambers