Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Conklin, Kephart will introduce bill to ensure fairness and transparency in sales of former state correctional facility land

Conklin, Kephart will introduce bill to ensure fairness and transparency in sales of former state correctional facility land

Rep. Scott Conklin    October 1, 2025 | 10:56 AM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – In the wake of the state’s recent announcement that it is closing the State Correctional Institution at Rockview, state Reps. Scott Conklin and Dallas Kephart today unveiled plans for legislation to ensure that any potential sale of the nearly 5,700-acre property is conducted with fairness and transparency.

Speaking at a Capitol news conference, the lawmakers said their bill would require that any sale of land associated with a former state correctional facility follow specific procedures, including publication of the sale in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and oversight by the state Attorney General, including disclosure of all bids and bidders.

“When large facilities like Rockview close, it’s the region’s residents who bear the brunt of that decision. They’re also the ones most likely to feel the impact of any potential land sale,” said Conklin, D-Centre. “Despite our every effort, we were not able to stop the closure of SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp. But we can work to make sure that any sale of the underlying land happens in the fairest, most transparent way possible to prevent additional adverse impacts on residents.

“Our bill would do that by bringing sunlight to the process and preventing closed-door transactions or sweetheart deals that are not necessarily in residents’ best interests.”

The lawmakers are currently in the process of gathering co-sponsors for the bill, which will then be introduced in the House.

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