House majority concurs in conveyance bill after debate over Penn State campus reversion protections

The Pennsylvania House on July 12 concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 2559, a bill that includes conveyances of specific properties and removes language that would have required ownership of certain branch-campus properties to revert to the Commonwealth under specified conditions. The concurrence was recorded by the clerk; the amendments were concurred in and the measure will be returned to the Senate.

Floor managers described the technical conveyances and specific parcels covered, including readiness centers and subdivision releases. Representative Smith Wadell listed properties to be conveyed and asked for affirmative votes to authorize conveyance of properties “no longer needed for Commonwealth purposes.”

Opponents, including Representatives Krupa and McGandrill, urged a recommit or no vote, arguing the bill eliminates a reversionary clause that had provided accountability and protection for rural communities when Penn State closed or divested branch campuses. Representative Krupa said the clause had been intended to ensure that taxpayers’ investments remained used for educational purposes and called the elimination of that protection a betrayal to communities. Representative Deloso and other supporters said the bill contained negotiated conveyances and urged a vote affirming progress and technical corrections.

A procedural motion to recommit failed. The House recorded the concurrence with the clerk’s tally showing yeas 105 and nays 97 on the question of concurrence to the Senate amendments, after which the clerk informed the Senate. Members asked for the record to reflect corrections to how some members voted on related bills, and the Speaker signed a number of bills prepared for presentation to the Governor.

Next steps: The enrolled bill will be transmitted to the Senate and the usual documents will be prepared for presentation to the Governor.