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Documents - 37 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 305

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     § 305.  Documents.
        The commission shall have the power and duty to:
            (1)  Research on Commonwealth documents.--Examine and
        copy or microfilm any public records within the control of a
        Commonwealth agency for the purposes of historical research.
            (2)  Preservation of public records.--Preserve all public
        records throughout this Commonwealth and give special
        attention to the preservation of all records of the
        Commonwealth not in current use and of historical value;
        negotiate for the transfer and receipt of public records from
        any Commonwealth agency or political subdivision; and provide
        for the disposition of records not needed or useful in the
        transaction of current or anticipated future work of the
        Commonwealth under section 524 of the act of April 9, 1929
        (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929.
        The commission shall be the legal custodian of any public
        records transferred to it by any Commonwealth agency or
        political subdivision. The head of any Commonwealth agency or
        political subdivision may transfer to the commission public
        records legally in his custody not needed for the transaction
        of the business of the office whenever the commission is
        willing to receive and care for them.
            (3)  Management of historical documents.--Collect,
        classify, preserve and make available for reference all
        records which may come into its possession with the
        exceptions indicated by the commission; and examine the
        condition of the public records, books, pamphlets, documents,
        manuscripts, archives, maps and papers filed or recorded in
        any Commonwealth agency or political subdivision. The
        executive director or any employees authorized by him shall
        have reasonable access to all public records in this
        Commonwealth for the purpose of examining them and shall
        report to the commission on their condition.
            (4)  Regulation of Commonwealth records.--Recommend such
        action be taken by the persons having the care and custody of
        public records as may be necessary to secure their safety and
        preservation; cause all laws relating to public records to be
        enforced; and recommend and enforce uniform standards
        governing the use of paper, ink and filing procedure for all
        records and papers of Commonwealth agencies and political
        subdivisions that are considered of permanent historical
        importance.
            (5)  Certificates relating to public records.--Furnish
        certificates relating to public records, or copies thereof,
        upon the payment of fees established by the commission or
        otherwise fixed by law.
            (6)  Land records.--Maintain and preserve:
                (i)  Records of the first titles acquired by the
            proprietaries and the Commonwealth to all the lands
            within its boundaries.
                (ii)  Records of all lands and conveyances from the
            proprietaries and the Commonwealth to the purchasers of
            the land.
                (iii)  Papers relating to the surveys of this
            Commonwealth and county lines and the reports of
            commissioners relating to the boundary lines of this
            Commonwealth.
                (iv)  Maps and other papers pertaining to the
            colonial history of this Commonwealth.
                (v)  Contracts, section profile maps and other
            records relating to public works.
                (vi)  All other relevant records relating to titles
            of real estate acquired by the Commonwealth.

Last modified: November 27, 2007