HARRISBURG — The Senate State Government Committee unanimously passed legislation to require that the lieutenant governor’s residence be used to support veterans and active military, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway.

Scarnati explained that Senate Bill 750 was originally introduced to sell the lieutenant governor’s residence. However due to potential restrictions preventing civilians from accessing the property, SB 750 was amended in Committee.

As amended, Senate Bill 750 now requires the Department of General Services to transfer the authority over the lieutenant governor’s mansion to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to be used for the purposes of supporting Pennsylvania’s veterans programs and supporting the National Guard, including current and survivor families.

“As public servants, it is our duty to continually look for ways that government can operate more effectively and efficiently,” Scarnati said. “Given that Pennsylvania’s current lieutenant governor does not reside at the lieutenant governor’s residence, now is the time to transfer this property to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs so it can be used to maximize the beneficial use of supporting our Pennsylvania veterans and active military. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to simply maintain a building that no one lives in.”

Scarnati explained that the lieutenant governor’s residence is a three-story, 2,400 square foot house located at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. Scarnati also noted that across the country, Pennsylvania is the only state that provides a residence to its lieutenant governor.

Senate Bill 750 now advances to the full Senate for consideration.