Section 451. State Planning Board.--(a) The State Planning Board shall be an advisory board within the Governor's Office with the same status under this act as that of advisory boards.
(b) (1) The State Planning Board shall consist of the following:
(i) Two members appointed by, and who serve at the pleasure of, the President pro tempore of the Senate, neither of whom shall be members of the same political party.
(ii) Two members appointed by, and who serve at the pleasure of, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, neither of whom shall be members of the same political party.
(iii) Fifteen members appointed by the Governor from among the residents of this Commonwealth, who during their terms shall hold no other office in the executive branch of State Government to which a salary is attached.
(iv) The following ex officio members:
(A) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(B) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development.
(C) The Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources.
(D) The Secretary of Environmental Protection.
(E) The Secretary of Human Services.
(F) The Secretary of Transportation.
(G) The Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
(H) The Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
((1) amended May 6, 2026, P.L.200, No.15)
(1.1) The terms of office of those members appointed by the Governor under paragraph (1)(iii) shall be for four years and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. In case of a vacancy, the Governor shall make an appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. ((1.1) added May 6, 2026, P.L.200, No.15)
(1.2) The Governor shall designate the chairman and vice-chairman of the board from among the members of the board, other than the ex officio and legislative members. ((1.2) added May 6, 2026, P.L.200, No.15)
(2) Fourteen members of the board shall constitute a quorum. ((2) amended May 6, 2026, P.L.200, No.15)
(3) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to receive traveling and other reasonable expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.
(4) The board may, with the approval of the Governor, appoint and fix the compensation of an executive director who shall be technically qualified for the duties of the office and who shall act as secretary of the board and conduct the work of the board under its supervision.
((b) amended July 9, 2010, P.L.348, No.50)
(c) The board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Conduct research and collect, compile and analyze data bearing upon social, economic, physical, demographic and other factors which may influence the present and future welfare of the Commonwealth.
(2) Monitor national and State trends, identify issues of potential interest and concern to the Commonwealth and prepare for the Governor and the General Assembly on an annual basis, or more often if necessary, reports detailing the findings of the board.
(3) Develop strategic plans and programs to promote and enhance the welfare of the Commonwealth and make such recommendations thereon to the Governor as it may deem proper and advisable.
(4) Solicit information and input from State and local government officials and private citizens in Pennsylvania as part of the process of developing strategic plans and programs.
(5) Submit annually to the Governor, the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report on its program and activities.
(451 amended July 7, 1989, P.L.241, No.42)
Compiler's Note: The Secretary of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as the Secretary of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014.
Compiler's Note: Section 1106 of Act 58 of 1996, which created the Department of Community and Economic Development and abolished the Department of Community Affairs, provided that, in place of the membership of the Secretary of Community Affairs as an ex officio member of the State Planning Board under subsec. (b), the Governor shall make an additonal appointment.
The Secretary of Commerce, referred to in this section, was renamed the Secretary of Community and Economic Development by Act 58 of 1996. The Secretary of Community Affairs, referred to in this section, was abolished by Act 58 of 1996 and the functions were transferred to the Secretary of Community and Economic Development.
Compiler's Note: The Secretary of Environmental Resources, referred to in subsec. (b), was abolished by Act 18 of 1995 and the functions were transferred to the Secretary of Conservation and Natural Ressources and the Secretary of Environmental Protection.
Compiler's Note: Section 5 of Reorganization Plan No.1 of 1955 provided that section 451 is suspended insofar as it conflicts with Reorganization Plan No.1.