HARRISBURG — A bill aimed at giving Gov. Tom Corbett the power to force Pennsylvania’s financially troubled capital into a state-sanctioned plan to deal with its staggering debt appeared Wednesday to be all but law.

Without debate, the state House voted 177-18 to send the bill to Corbett, who was not in Harrisburg on Wednesday. Once it is on his desk and he has time to review it, he will sign it, likely this week, said a spokeswoman for the Republican governor.

Under the bill, the governor could declare a state of fiscal emergency and appoint a receiver to assume much of the decision-making authority when third-class cities such as Harrisburg can’t agree on a solution under Act 47.

Upon declaring a state of fiscal emergency in a city, the governor could direct his secretary of community and economic development to develop an emergency action plan within 10 days to ensure that vital services continue. Those services include police and firefighting, water and wastewater, trash collection, payroll and payments for pension and debt obligations.

The governor could order an elected or appointed city official to implement any provision of the emergency action plan.

If 30 days pass without an agreement between the city and the state on a financial recovery plan, the state Commonwealth Court could authorize the appointment of a receiver named by the governor.

The receiver would develop a financial recovery plan and, if a court approves it, force the city to implement it.