Section 17. Agreements with the United States Army Reserve.
(a) Authorization.--The State Armory Board is hereby authorized to enter into such agreements as may be necessary to exchange with the United States Army Reserve the right of occupancy in, use of and obligations belonging to, the properties described in subsection (b) under such terms and conditions as they may determine, subject to the conditions specified in subsections (c) and (d).
(b) Property descriptions.--
(1) The Johnstown Walters Avenue Readiness Center consists of approximately 15.0 acres of land and improvements located at 656 Walters Avenue, Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Tax Parcel No. 50-05-123.1). The Readiness Center was used by the Pennsylvania National Guard to serve and support its mission. The Readiness Center is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is maintained, managed and regulated by the State Armory Board.
(2) Building #228 is a hangar facility and surrounding infrastructure situated on land owned by the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport Authority. The Johnstown-Cambria County Airport Authority leases Building #228 to the United States Army Reserve. The United States Army Reserve currently uses Building #228 to serve and support its mission.
(c) Funds required.--Prior to the execution of such agreements that may be necessary to effectuate the exchange of rights and obligations authorized under subsection (a), the State Armory Board must establish that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has funds necessary to implement and to support the terms of the agreements, including terms that allocate obligations for maintenance and renovations.
(d) Terms and conditions.--The terms and conditions of the exchange authorized under subsection (a) shall be determined by the State Armory Board and the United States Army Reserve. All terms and conditions must comply with Federal and State statutes and governing regulations. However, notwithstanding the provisions of 51 Pa.C.S. § 1509(a) (relating to rental or lease of armories and of buildings or structures at Fort Indiantown Gap) or any other provision of law or regulation that prescribes time periods for leases or other agreements, the State Armory Board may execute a lease or other agreement for a term of not less than 25 years.
(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"State Armory Board." The State Armory Board established under 51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 15 (relating to State Armory Board).
"United States Army Reserve." The reserve component of the United States Army, exclusive of the various National Guards, established under 10 U.S.C. Subt. E (relating to reserve components).