Pennsylvania’s Act 13 Archives
Pennsylvania’s Act 13

The development of natural gas in Pennsylvania gave rise to several legal issues. The Pennsylvania legislature passed Act 13 with hopes that it would resolve disputes over local control of the industry, and how the Commonwealth would tax the industry. But in 2013, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down parts of Act 13 in Robinson Township v. Commonwealth and redefined how local authorities could control the industry through zoning laws. Meanwhile, legal debate about Act 13’s impact fee might result in further changes to the law. This JURIST Feature takes a look at major developments in Pennsylvania law impacting Act 13.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Tojo and other Japanese WWII leaders executed for war crimes

On December 23, 1948, former Japanese premier Hideki Tojo and six other Japanese war leaders were executed for war crimes in Tokyo.

Learn more about the Tokyo War Crimes Trials.

Terry Nichols convicted for Oklahoma City bombing

On December 23, 1997, Terry Nichols was found guilty of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter for assisting Timothy McVeigh in bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. He was later sentenced to life in prison. On April 19, 1995, McVeigh detonated a truck bomb that gutted the building and killed 168 people, making it the deadliest terrorist attack on US. soil until the attacks of September 11, 2001. McVeigh was convicted for his role before Nichols on June 2, 1997. Learn more about the trials of Terry Nichols and Timothy McVeigh.