Article II Allegheny Regional Asset District

A sole proprietorship, owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual.

A partnership or joint venture controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in which 51% of the beneficial ownership interest is held by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

A corporation or other entity controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in which at least 51% of the voting interest and 51% of the beneficial ownership interest are held by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

OCCUPANCY

The use or possession or the right to the use or possession by any person other than a permanent resident of any room in a hotel for any purpose or the right to the use or possession of the furnishings or to the services accompanying the use and possession of the room.

OPERATOR

Any individual, partnership, nonprofit or profit-making association or corporation or other person or group of persons who maintain, operate, manage, own, have custody of or otherwise possess the right to rent or lease overnight accommodations in any hotel to the public for consideration.

PARTY OFFICER

The following members or officers of any political party:

A member of a national committee.

A chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer or counsel of a state committee or members of the executive committee of a state committee.

A County chairman, vice chairman, counsel, secretary or treasurer of a County committee.

SENIOR CITIZENS REBATE AND ASSISTANCE ACT

A city chairman, vice chairman, counsel, secretary or treasurer of a city committee.

PATRON

Any person who pays the consideration for the occupancy of a room or rooms in a hotel.

PERMANENT RESIDENT

Any person who has occupied or has the right to occupancy of any room or rooms in a hotel as a patron or otherwise for a period exceeding 30 consecutive days.

PERSON

A business, individual, corporation, union, association, firm, partnership, committee, club or other organization or group of persons.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE

Any individual employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a political subdivision.

PUBLIC OFFICER

Every person elected to any public office of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL

Any elected or appointed official in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The term shall not include members of advisory boards who have no authority to expend public funds other than reimbursement for personal expenses or to otherwise exercise the power of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The term shall also not include any appointed official who receives no compensation other than reimbursement for actual expenses.

QUALIFIED MUNICIPALITIES

Municipalities within Allegheny County meeting the standards set forth in § 3170-B of the Act.

REGIONAL ASSET

A civic, recreational, library, sports or cultural facility or project designated as such by the District.

RENT

Consideration for the occupancy of hotel room.

ROOM

A space in a hotel set aside for use and occupancy by patrons, or otherwise, for consideration, having at least one bed or other sleeping accommodation provided therein.

The Senior Citizens Rebate and Assistance Act, Pa. Stat. Ann. Tit. 72, § 4751-1 et seq.

SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS

Persons who are citizens of the United States and who are Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans and other minorities or other persons found to be disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration pursuant to the Small Business Act (P.L. 85-536, 15 USC § 631 et seq.).

TAX

The taxes authorized to be imposed by the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners under the Act. Depending upon the context, "tax" shall mean a one-percent tax on the purchase price of each separate sale at retail of tangible personal property or services within the County; a one-percent tax on the purchase price of the use, within the County, of tangible personal property purchased at retail and on services purchased at retail; or, a one-percent excise tax on the rent upon every occupancy of a room or rooms in a hotel in the County.

TAX REFORM CODE OF 1971

The Tax Reform Code of 1971, Pa. Stat. Ann. Tit. 72, § 7101 et seq. (1990).

TEMPORARY

A period of time not exceeding 30 consecutive days.

TRANSACTION

The activity involving the obtaining by a transient or patron of the use or occupancy of a hotel room from which consideration emanates to the operator under an express or an implied contract.

TRANSIENT

Any individual who obtains accommodation in any hotel for himself by means of registering at the facility for the temporary occupancy of any room for the personal use of that individual by paying to the operator of the facility a fee in consideration therefor.

TREASURER

The State Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

A small business concern which is at least 51% owned and controlled by women, or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more women and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the women who own it.

Incorporation of definitions.

This article incorporates in its entirety herein all of the definitions set forth in § 7201 of the Tax Reform Code of 1971, Pa. Stat. Ann. Tit. 72, § 7101 et seq.

This article incorporates in its entirety herein all of the definitions set forth in § 4749.3 of the First and Second Class County Code Property Tax Relief Act, Pa. Stat. Ann. Tit. 72, § 4749.3.

This article incorporates in its entirety herein all of the definitions set forth in § 4751-3 of the Senior Citizens Rebate and Assistance Act, 72 Pa. Stat. Ann. Tit. 72, § 4751-3.

§ 475-10 Creation of District.

District created. Pursuant to Subarticle (b), § 3110-B of the Act, there is hereby created a body corporate and politic to be known as the "Allegheny Regional Asset District."

Powers of the District. The District shall exercise all of the powers necessary or convenient for carrying out its purposes, including the following:

To have continuing succession.

To sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, complain and defend in all courts.

To adopt, use and alter at will a corporate seal.

To make, enter into and award contracts with any person, association, partnership or corporation for the development, design, financing, construction, improvement, maintenance, operation, furnishing, fixturing, equipping and repair of regional assets or parts of regional assets.

(5)

To conduct financial and performance reviews and audits of regional assets.

(6)

To conduct long-term planning necessary for the efficient and effective operation and development of regional assets.

(7)

To make bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and to promulgate rules, regulations and policies in connection with the performance of its functions and duties.

(8)

To borrow money.

(a)

To borrow money for the purpose of paying the costs of any project and to evidence the same.

(b)

To make and issue negotiable bonds of the District and secure the payment of the bonds, or any part of the bonds, by pledge or deed of trust of all or any of its revenues, rentals, receipts and contract rights.

(c)

To make such agreements with the purchasers or holders of the bonds or with other obligees of the District in connection with any bonds, whether issued or to be issued, as the District shall deem advisable, which agreements shall constitute contracts with the holders or purchasers.

(d)

To obtain such credit enhancement or liquidity facilities in connection with any bonds as the District shall determine to be advantageous.

(e)

To, in general, provide for the security for the bonds and for the rights of the holders of the bonds.

(9)

To make, enter into and award contracts of every name and nature and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient for the carrying out of its business.

(10)

To borrow money and accept grants and to enter into contracts, leases, subleases, licenses or other transactions with any federal agency, state public body, political subdivision, person, association, partnership or corporation.

(11)

To pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber any of its property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, and its revenues or receipts, including, but not limited to, any interest the District may have in any lease or sublease of regional assets or parts of regional assets.

(12)

To procure such insurance containing such coverage, including, without limitation, insurance covering the timely payment in full of principal and interest on bonds of the District, in such amount, from such insurers, as the District may determine to be necessary or desirable for its purposes.

(13)

To invest its money.

(14)

To cooperate with any federal agency, state public body or political subdivision.

(15)

To invest any funds not required for immediate disbursement in reserve or sinking funds.

(16)

To appoint all officers, agents and employees required for the performance of its duties and fix and determine their qualifications, duties and compensation and retain or employ other agents or consultants. The Board shall develop, implement and evaluate plans and process to assure that all persons are accorded equality of opportunity in employment and contracting by the Board.

(17)

To enroll its employees in a retirement system, including an existing retirement system of the County, city or other governmental entity.

(18)

To appoint and fix the compensation of chief counsel and assistant counsel, who shall not be required to be employees of the District, to provide it with legal assistance. Notwithstanding the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8525 (relating to legal assistance), the District through its counsel shall defend actions brought against the District and its officers and employees when acting within the scope of their official duties.

(19)

To maintain an office in the County.

(20)

To assist in the development and expansion of minority business enterprises and women's business enterprises.

(21)

To do all acts and things necessary or convenient for the promotion of its purposes and the general welfare of the district and to carry out the powers granted to it by the Act.

Limitation of District's powers. The following limitations and conditions shall apply to the operations of the District:

The District shall have no power to pledge the credit or taking powers of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any other government agency except the credit of the District, nor shall any of the bonds of the District be deemed a debt or liability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or of any other government agency, except as otherwise agreed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a government agency.

Neither the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nor any government agency except the District shall be liable for payment of the principal, interest or premium on any of the District's bonds, except as otherwise agreed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a government agency.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Act or any other state statute to the contrary, or of any implication that may be drawn from the Act or any other state statute, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and all other government agencies, except the District, shall have no legal or moral obligation for the payment of any expenses or obligations of the District, including, but not limited to, bond principal and interest, the funding or refunding of any reserve and any administrative or operating expenses whatsoever, except as otherwise agreed to by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or another government agency.

Bonds in the District shall contain a prominent statement of the limitations set forth in this subsection and shall further recite that obligees of the District shall have no recourse, either legal or moral, to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or to any other government agency for payment of the bonds, except as otherwise agreed to by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or another government agency.

(5)

The District shall not assume the responsibility of employing personnel directly engaged in the operation of regional assets, but may enter into contracts with the city, County and other public and private organizations for the corporation and financing of regional assets.

District Board.

The powers and duties of the District shall be exercised by a seven-member Board.

The members of the Board shall be selected, serve terms of office, hold meetings and conduct business in accordance with the provisions of § 3111-B of the Act.

No member of the Board or employee of the District shall be, concurrent with the members or employee's position with the District, a party officer, public officer, public official, public employee or a member of the immediate family of a party officer, public officer or public official.

Advisory Board. The Board shall appoint a twenty-seven-member Advisory Board. The Advisory Board shall serve to advise the Board in the administration of its duties and functions. The members of the Advisory Board shall serve terms as provided in § 3112-B(D) of the Act.

§ 475-11 Regional assets.

Designation of regional assets. The District may assume the financial functions of the city and County with respect to the support of regional assets vital to the quality of life within the County.

Limitation on support. The District shall not provide financial support for the following:

Any health-care facility or institution which predominantly provides elementary, secondary or higher education or other training.

Any park which contains fewer than 200 acres, except for linear parks located in more than one city, township, borough or home rule municipality, other than the County.

Any asset which fails to serve a significant number of persons who are not residents of the city, borough or township within which the asset is located.

Any library which is not a regional library resource center, a district library center or which is not part of a library system serving multiple municipalities.

§ 475-12 Imposition of tax.

Sales tax. Pursuant to authority granted under Subarticle (e) of the Act, the Board of Commissioners does hereby levy, assess and impose upon each separate sale at retail of tangible personal property or services within the boundaries of the County, a tax on the purchase price. The tax shall be collected by the vendor from the purchaser and shall be paid over to the Commonwealth as provided in this section.

Use tax. Pursuant to authority granted under Subarticle (e) of the Act, the Board of Commissioners does hereby levy, assess and impose upon the use, within the County, of tangible personal property purchased at retail, and on services purchased at retail, a tax on the purchase price. The tax shall be paid over to the Commonwealth by the person who makes the use. The use tax imposed under this Part shall not be paid over to the Commonwealth by any person who has paid the tax imposed by Subsection A of this § 155-12 or has paid the tax imposed by this Section to the vendor with respect to such use.

Hotel occupancy excise tax. Pursuant to Subarticle (e) of the Act, the Board of Commissioners does hereby levy, assess and impose an excise tax on the rent or consideration received by each operator of a hotel within the County from each transaction of renting a room or rooms to accommodate transients or patrons. The tax shall be collected by the operator or owner of the hotel from the patron or transient and paid over to the Commonwealth.

Rate and uniformity.

The tax levied, assessed and imposed in Subsections A, B and C of this section shall be imposed at a rate of 1%.

The tax levied, assessed and imposed under Subsections A, B and C of this section shall be uniform.

Tax computation. The tax levied, assessed and imposed under Subsections A and B of this section shall be computed as follows:

	Purchase Price	Amount of Tax to be Collected
	$0.50 or less	No tax
	$0.51 or more, but less than $1.51	$0.01
	$1.51 or more, but less than $2.51	$0.02
	$2.51 or more, but less than $3.51	$0.03
	$3.51 or more, but less than $4.51	$0.04
	$4.51 or more, but less than $5.51	$0.05
	$5.51 or more, but less than $6.51	$0.06
	$6.51 or more, but less than $7.51	$0.07
	$7.51 or more, but less than $8.51	$0.08
	$8.51 or more, but less than $9.51	$0.09
	$9.51 or more, but less than $10.51	$0.10
	More than $10	1% or each $10 purchase price, plus the above charges upon any fractional part of a $10 increment

Situs for imposition of tax.

Situs for retail sales. For purposes of this section and except as otherwise provided in this section, a sale at retail shall be deemed to be consummated at the place of business of the retailer unless the tangible personal property sold is delivered by the retailer or his agent to an out-of-state destination or to a common carrier for delivery to an out-of-state destination or the United States mails for delivery to a out-of-state destination. In the event a retailer has more than one place of business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which participates in the sale, the sale shall be deemed to be consummated at the place of the retailer where the initial order for the tangible personal property is taken, even though the order must be forwarded elsewhere for acceptance, approval of credit, shipment or billing. A sale by a retailers employee shall be deemed to be consummated at the place of business from which that employee works.

Situs for vehicle, aircraft and motorcraft sales. The sale at retail or use of a motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or mobile home, as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to vehicles), or of a motor boat, aircraft or other similar tangible personal property, required under either federal or state laws to be registered or licensed, shall be deemed to have been completed or used at the address of the purchaser or user. The tax due shall be paid by the purchaser or user directly to the Department of Transportation at the time of making application for the issuance of a certificate of title or directly to the Department if licensing by the Department of Transportation is not required or obtained.

§ 475-14 Rules and regulations; enforcement.

Situs for utility services. The sale or use of steam, natural and manufactured gas, electricity and telephone and telegraph service shall be deemed to occur at the service address in the County, which is the address where the telephone equipment is located and to which the telephone number is assigned or where the telegraph originated or where the meter which registers the service is located, without regard to where the services are rendered.

Exclusions from tax. The tax imposed under Subsections A and B shall not be imposed upon the sale at retail or use of materials to be incorporated into and made a part of real estate pursuant to a contract for the construction, reconstruction, remodeling, repairing, maintenance or sale of such real estate, when the contract is either at a fixed price not subject to change or modification or entered into pursuant to the obligation of a formal written bid which cannot be altered or withdrawn, and, in either case, such contract was entered into or such bid made prior to July 1, 1994.

§ 475-13 Licenses.

A license for the collection of the taxes levied, assessed and imposed under § 475-12 of this article shall be issued pursuant to Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1991, Pa. Stat. Ann. Tit. 72, § 7201 et seq., or a separate license may be issued by the Department for the collection and reporting of the taxes levied, assessed and imposed under § 475-12 of this article. The license or licenses shall be nonassignable and subject to renewal periodically at such times as may be required by the Department in regulations but in no event more frequently than once within a five-year period. No fee shall be charged for either a license or any renewal. Failure of any person to obtain a license shall not relieve that person of liability to pay the taxes levied, assessed or imposed under § 475-12 of this article.

The rules and regulations promulgated under § 270 of the Tax Reform Code of 1971, Pa. Stat. Ann. Tit. 72, § 7270, shall be applicable to the taxes levied, assessed or imposed under § 475-12 of this article insofar as such rules and regulations are consistent with § 475-12.

The Department shall administer and enforce the provisions of § 475-12 of this article and is authorized to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, relating to any matter or thing pertaining to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of § 475-12 of this article. The Department may prescribe the extent to which any of such rules and regulations shall be applied without retroactive effect.

The Chief Clerk is hereby authorized to adopt any rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this article.

§ 475-15 Dedication and disbursement of tax revenues.

Dedication. There is hereby created the Allegheny Regional Asset District Sales and Use Tax Fund. The Treasurer shall be custodian of the fund which shall be subject to the provisions of law applicable to funds listed in § 303 of the Act of April 9, 1939 (P. L. 343, No. 176), known as the "Fiscal Code." Taxes imposed under § 155-12 of this article shall be received by the Department and paid to the Treasurer and, along with interest and penalties, less any collection costs allowed under the Act and any refunds and credits paid, shall be credited to the fund not less frequently than every two weeks. During any period prior to the credit of moneys to the fund, interest earned on moneys received by the Department and paid to the Treasurer under this section shall be deposited into the fund. All moneys in the fund including, but not limited to, moneys credited to the fund under this Section, prior year encumbrances and the interest earned thereon, shall not lapse or be transferred to any other fund, but shall remain in the fund and must be used exclusively as provided in this section. Pending their disbursement, moneys received on behalf of or deposited into the fund shall be invested or reinvested as are other moneys in the custody of the Treasurer in the manner provided by law. All earnings received from the investment or reinvestment of the moneys shall be credited to the fund.

Disbursement. On or before the 10th day of every month, the Treasurer shall make the following disbursements on behalf of the County from the moneys which are, as of the last day of the previous month, contained in the fund:

One-half of the moneys to the District for use by it in the manner provided by the Act, provided that the District shall not utilize more than 1% of the moneys received by the District for the purpose of administrative expenses.

One-fourth of the moneys to qualified municipalities for use by the municipalities in the manner provided by the Act.

One-fourth of the moneys to the County for use by the County in the manner provided by § 3171-B of the Act and § 155-16 of this article.

§ 475-16 Tax relief.

Repeal of County personal property tax. Effective January 1, 1995, the first full calendar year in which disbursements are received by the County from the Treasurer from the collection of the taxes levied, assessed and imposed under § 475-12 of this article, any County personal property tax previously levied, assessed and imposed by the Board of Commissioners is hereby and shall be repealed.

County tax relief program for long-time senior citizen owner-occupants of personal residences.

All or a portion of the revenues remaining from the disbursements received from the Treasurer from the collection of the taxes levied, assessed and imposed under § 475-12 of this article, after repeal of the County's personal property tax as provided in Subsection A of this section, shall be used for the creation and implementation of a program of County tax relief under the First and Second Class County Property Tax Relief Act, Pa. Stat. Ann. Tit. 72, § 4749.1 et seq., for long-time senior citizen owner-occupants of personal residences. Property eligible for tax relief under this Section shall be limited to a primary personal residence owned by a single person aged 65 or older or by married persons if either spouse is 65 years of age or older. Tax relief provided pursuant to this section shall be limited to persons eligible for property tax rebates under the Senior Citizens Rebate and Assistance Act, Pa. Stat. Ann. Tit. 72, § 4751-1 et seq.