51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 15

in effect

51 Pa.C.S. § 1500 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Board." The State Armory Board established under this chapter. "Fund." The State Treasury Armory Fund established under section 1511 (relating to State Treasury Armory Fund). (July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days) 2022 Amendment. Act 48 added section 1500.

51 Pa.C.S. § 1501 Composition and general functions.

The board shall consist of the Adjutant General, who shall act as chairperson, and eight members appointed by the Adjutant General. Three of the members of the board appointed by the Adjutant General shall be members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. The board shall exercise the powers, duties and provisions of this chapter. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the board. The board shall provide, equip, maintain, manage and regulate armories. The board may, with the approval of the Governor, accept gifts of land, with or without buildings thereon, to be used for armory purposes or as additions for Fort Indiantown Gap. The title to all such land shall be taken in the name of the Commonwealth. The board may also employ money appropriated to it to purchase, for armory purposes, any suitable buildings or sites. (June 19, 2002, P.L.433, No.63, eff. 60 days; July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 1502 Erection of armories.

The board may, with money appropriated to it from the fund, erect or provide armories anywhere within the limits of this Commonwealth, upon the terms and conditions as shall be decided upon by the board. These armories shall be used to store and maintain property and support training assemblies, meetings and rendezvous purposes by the organizations of the Pennsylvania military forces, the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania Guard. (July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 1503 Management of armories.

The board shall constitute a board for the general management and care of armories, when established, and shall have the power to adopt and prescribe rules and regulations for the management, operation and naming of armories and for the guidance of the organization occupying them as may be necessary and desirable. (July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 1503.1 Management of buildings and structures located at Fort Indiantown Gap.

The board is authorized to direct the administration and utilization of any building or structure at Fort Indiantown Gap that is owned or controlled by the Commonwealth. (July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days) 2022 Amendment. Act 48 added section 1503.1.

51 Pa.C.S. § 1504 Purchase or lease of ground for armories.

The board may, with money appropriated to it from the fund, purchase or lease ground in the various localities throughout this Commonwealth where it shall be deemed necessary to provide armories. The following apply: (1) The ground in each instance shall be purchased or leased in the name and for the use of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and upon the ground so purchased or leased, the board is authorized and directed to erect an armory or use the land for the benefit of the Pennsylvania military forces, the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania Guard. (2) When erecting or providing armories, the board shall inform the Adjutant General of the availability of an armory for occupancy and use. The Adjutant General shall set a timeline for the unit to occupy the armory under the direction and responsibility of the senior officer in command of the unit or organization occupying the armory. (July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 1505 Donation of land by political subdivisions.

It shall be lawful for any county, city, borough, town or township to acquire by purchase or by gift, or by the right of eminent domain, any land to be used for an armory and to convey the lands acquired to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The proceedings for the condemnation of lands under the provisions of this chapter and for the assessment of damages for the property taken, injured or destroyed shall be taken in the same manner as provided by 26 Pa.C.S. (relating to eminent domain). (May 4, 2006, P.L.112, No.34, eff. 120 days; July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days) 2006 Amendment. Section 6(1) of Act 34 provided that Act 34 shall apply to all condemnations effected on or after the effective date of section 6.

51 Pa.C.S. § 1506 Donation of property and services by political subdivisions.

(a) General rule.--Any political subdivision of this Commonwealth is hereby authorized and empowered, either independently or in connection with any other political subdivision of this Commonwealth, to provide and appropriate money or convey land to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to assist the board in the erection of armories. Any political subdivision may furnish water, light or fuel, either or all, free of cost to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for use in any armory, and to do all things necessary to accomplish the purpose of this chapter. (b) Authority of government units.--The board shall have power to receive from any political subdivisions or other sources, donations of land, or contributions of money, to aid in providing or erecting armories throughout this Commonwealth, which shall be held as other property for the use of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The political subdivisions are hereby authorized to make donations or contributions for the purpose of this chapter. (July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 1507 Sale of unusable armories and land; sale or lease of timber and mineral rights.

(a) General rule.-- (1) When the board determines that an armory or armory site owned by the Commonwealth is no longer suitable for military services due to change in population or to the needs of the Pennsylvania military forces, the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania Guard, the board may sell the property in accordance with the laws of this Commonwealth. (2) When the board determines that timber or other mineral rights at Fort Indiantown Gap or any armory may be sold or leased without disruption of the usual military purposes of the property and without undue adverse impact upon the local environment, the board may sell or lease the rights in accordance with the laws of this Commonwealth. (b) Disposition of proceeds.--All money derived from sale of property under subsection (a)(1) or from sale or lease of rights under subsection (a)(2) shall be paid into the fund. (July 11, 1990, P.L.430, No.104, eff. imd.; June 15, 1994, P.L.277, No.47, eff. 60 days; July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 1508 Payment of armory rentals by Commonwealth.

The annual rental of all armories and buildings not owned by the Commonwealth and occupied by any organization of the Pennsylvania military forces, the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania Guard, shall be paid by the State Treasurer in the manner provided by law. All payments for light, heat, water and janitor services in rented armories and buildings shall be made by the department upon properly itemized vouchers, except where the services are furnished by the landlord under the rental contract. (July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 1509 Rental or lease of armories and of buildings or structures at Fort Indiantown Gap.

(a) Rental or lease of armories.--The board is authorized to rent or lease armories and may issue rules and regulations for the rental or lease of armories to responsible persons or organizations at scheduled rates approved by the board. The following apply: (1) The Adjutant General may authorize a rental or lease fee waiver to governmental and nonprofit organizations. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a rental or lease fee shall be payable to the fund. (3) A lease executed under this subsection may only be for a term of not more than five years. (b) Rental or lease of buildings or structures at Fort Indiantown Gap.--The board is authorized to rent or lease any building or structure located at Fort Indiantown Gap, which is owned or controlled by the department, and may issue rules and regulations for the rental or lease of the building or structure to organizations or entities that support the mission of the department at scheduled rates approved by the board. The following apply: (1) The Adjutant General may authorize a rental or lease fee waiver to governmental and nonprofit organizations. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a rental or lease fee shall be payable to the fund. (3) A lease executed under this subsection may only be for a term of not more than five years. (July 11, 1990, P.L.430, No.104, eff. imd.; July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 1510 Property in armories of units in Federal service.

(a) Custody and use.--When units of the Pennsylvania National Guard are called or ordered into the service of the United States, all furniture, permanent property and equipment located in their respective armories, purchased from State or municipal funds, or donated to the unit from private sources, will be left in the armory and will be taken into custody by the board, to be used by units of the Pennsylvania military forces, the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania Guard assigned to the armory, until such time as the Pennsylvania National Guard unit or organization returns. (b) Reassignment and disposition.--If, upon the reorganization of the Pennsylvania National Guard following a war or emergency, the organization is not reorganized or is assigned to another location within this Commonwealth, then the property in question becomes the property of the Commonwealth to assign, reassign and dispose of as the board may decide or direct. (July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 1511 State Treasury Armory Fund.

(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the State Treasury a special revenue fund to be known as the State Treasury Armory Fund. The proceeds from the sale of any armory, the proceeds from the sale or lease of timber or other mineral rights at Fort Indiantown Gap or at any armory, the proceeds from any rental or lease of any facility at Fort Indiantown Gap and the proceeds from the rental or lease of any armory shall be deposited in the fund. (b) Appropriation.--Money in the fund is hereby appropriated to the department in amounts as may be determined annually by the Governor to be used for the purposes specified in subsection (d). (c) Augmentation to department.--(Deleted by amendment). (d) Expenditures from State Treasury Armory Fund.--The department may expend money from the fund for the following purposes: (1) Purchase of equipment, furniture and fixtures for armories. (2) Essential repairs and maintenance of armories. (3) Purchase or rental of lands, buildings or facilities for use as armories. (4) Construction of new armories. (5) Support of environmental projects and programs at Fort Indiantown Gap or any armory. (July 11, 1990, P.L.430, No.104, eff. imd.; June 15, 1994, P.L.277, No.47, eff. 60 days; July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days) Cross References. Section 1511 is referred to in section 1500 of this title.

51 Pa.C.S. § 1512 Maintenance, construction and repairs.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the board may carry out all maintenance activities with respect to an armory if the cost does not exceed $100,000 and may carry out contracts for repair or construction of armories up to an amount of $100,000. (Dec. 7, 1994, P.L.844, No.119, eff. 60 days; May 15, 1998, P.L.443, No.59, eff. imd.; July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days)

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=51Fetched: 10/16/2026