State Government 2021-2022
The Senate State Government Committee held a Public Hearing on Thursday, April 21, 2022 on on Senate Bill No. 690 and Luzerne County Special Election Issues
The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday, April 11, 2022 to consider the following bills:
SB 982 (Baker) – Requires elections to be funded only through lawful appropriations by Federal, State or local governments, and imposing a penalty.
The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 9-2 with Muth and A. Williams voting with the majority.
SB 1200 (Dush) – Requires that persons delivering mail or absentee ballots may only deliver such ballots to a physical person at their county’s primary office, located in the county seat.
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
HB 2044 (Nelson) – Prohibits the Secretary of the Commonwealth and county election officials from accepting private donations or contributions for the operation of elections.
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, April 6 2022 to consider the following bills:
SB 959 (Martin) – A constitutional amendment requiring that upon expiration of a disaster emergency declaration, emergency authority granted under the expired disaster declaration to a secretary or acting secretary of a department of the Commonwealth or to an agency under the Governor’s jurisdiction shall also expire.
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
SB 1018 (Aument) – Updates to SURE system requiring the implementation of recommendations made by Auditor General DePasquale in his 2019 audit report of the SURE system.
Amendment A03835 (Argall) – Places language into current section §1222 (SURE system) instead of creating a new section and makes some editorial changes.
Amendment A03790 (Mastriano) – Mirrors SB 1097 (Mastriano) which changes the requirement for DOH to notify a county commissioner of a death from 60 days to 7 days, in order to cancel their voter registration
Both amendments were adopted by a party-line vote of 7-4, and the bill was reported as amendment by a party-line vote of 7-4.
SB 1122 (Collett) – Designating the Hershey Kiss as the official candy of Pennsylvania.
The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 10-1, with Laughlin voting in the negative.
SB 1166 (Argall) — A constitutional amendment limiting the scope of the PA Supreme Court in redistricting.
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
HB 1614 (Warner) – Election code amendment setting the minimum requirement for the number of paper ballots printed by precinct.
Amendment A03688 (Argall) – Adds “at least” to make the number of printed ballots a minimum requirement.
The amendment was adopted unanimously and the bill was reported as amended by a unanimous vote.
The Senate State Government Committee held a Public Hearing on Wednesday, March 29, 2022 on Senate Bill 878 – Implementation of Recommendations of Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform:
The Senate State Government Committee held a Public Hearing on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 on Bipartisan Election Reform:
The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday, February 7, 2022 and considered the following bills:
SB 991 (Schwank) – LGC bill to change the process by which cities are reclassified.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SB 1020 (Gebhard) – Land conveyance in Swatara state park.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SB 1043 (Stefano) – Reducing paperwork requirements in the Steel Products Procurement Act.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SR 152 (Dush) – Concurrent Resolution calling for a “Convention for Proposing Amendments” under Article V of the United States Constitution.
The resolution was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4. The resolution will be re-referred to the Senate Local Government Committee by request of Senator Dush.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 and considered the following bill:
SB 322 (J. Ward) – An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots.
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday, January 24, 2022 and considered the following bill:
HR 165 (Grove) – A concurrent resolution adopting a population data set that does not reallocate prison population for use in congressional redistricting legislation.
The resolution was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
The Senate State Government Committee held a Public Hearing on Friday, January 21, 2022 on Governor Wolf’s Congressional Maps
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 and considered the following bills:
HB2051 (Kaufer) – Land conveyance in the borough of West Pittston, Luzerne County
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
HB2146 (Grove) – The Congressional Redistricting Act of 2021
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 and considered the following bills:
Nomination of George Burrell (Philadelphia) for reappointment to the Board of Claims
The nomination was reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation by unanimous vote.
SB 940 (Argall) – Proposes a constitutional amendment to change responsibility for advertising future constitutional amendments from the Department of State to the Legislative Reference Bureau.
The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 8-3 with Senator Muth voting in the affirmative.
SB 992 (Argall) – The Congressional Redistricting Data Set Act which provides for the adoption of the population data set certified by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission which does not reallocate the prison population.
- A03212 Collett: An amendment changing the adopted population data set to be the data set in which the prison population is reallocated to their home districts.
Amendment A03212 failed by a party-line vote of 4-7, and SB 992 was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
SR 67 (Dush) – A Concurrent Resolution calling for an amendment to the United States Constitution to require the US Supreme Court be composed of nine justices.
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
HB 1823 (Thomas) – Moves the administration of the Washington Crossing Historic Park to DCNR.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
The Senate State Government Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 to receive testimony on Senate Bill No. 940, legislation to ensure constitutional amendments are properly advertised:
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 and considered the following bills:
SB 807 (J. Ward) – Amends Title 57 (Notaries Public) relating to fees and signatures
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SB 812 (Phillips-Hill) – Amends Title 62 (Procurement) relating to unsatisfactory performance
- A02858 Phillips-Hill: Changes applicability from “public works project” to “government agency contract or subcontract”
Amendment A02858 was adopted unanimously, and SB 812 was reported as amended by unanimous vote.
SB 784 (Argall) – Amends the Election Code to provide for 7 days of pre-canvassing and to change the deadline to request mail-in ballots from 7 days before the election to 15 days before the election
- A01955 Argall: A technical amendment
- A02860 Street: Allows voters to request a mail-in ballot from the county board of elections, in-person, up to 7 days before the Election Day, using the exact same language used in SB 878, the bi-partisan election code bill
The Chairman went over the bill.
The Senate State Government Committee held a public hearing on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 on Senate Bills No. 801, 802, 803 and 804, lobbying disclosure.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 and considered the following 8 bills:
SB 507 (Stefano) – Amends Title 65 (Public Officers) to provide for the streaming and recording of Committee meetings of the General Assembly.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SB 573 (Mastriano) – Amends the Election Code related to the appointment and responsibilities of poll watchers.
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
SB 640 (Brooks) – A freestanding act requiring the Auditor General establish a telephone hotline and website to report election fraud allegations.
The Chairman went over the bill.
SB 745 (Costa) – Amends the Right-To-Know Law to add public employee birthdays to the list of established exemptions.
The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 10-1 with Senator Muth voting in the negative.
SB 862 (Costa) – Amends the Election Code to provide for the use of residual Political Action Committee funds.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SR 67 (Dush) – A Concurrent Resolution calling for an amendment to the United States Constitution to require the US Supreme Court be composed of nine justices.
After speaking on the bill, Senator Dush made a motion to table the resolution. That motion was adopted unanimously, and the resolution was tabled.
SR 152 (Dush) – A Concurrent Resolution calling for an Article V Convention of States to amend the United States Constitution.
The Chairman went over the bill.
HB 1452 (Cutler) – Amends Titles 44 (Law and Justice) and 45 (Legal Notices) to provide for electronic publication and flexibility in publishing the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 10-1 with Senator Muth voting in the negative.
The Senate State Government Committee held a public hearing on on Thursday, September 23, 2021 to take testimony on Senate Bill No. 878 legislation to implement recommendations of the Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform:
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 to considered the following bills:
SB56 (Martin) – Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to change the number of write-in votes to qualify as a winner of an election.
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
SB140 (Browne) – Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to require the electronic filing of campaign finance reports.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SB428 (Gordner) – Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to change the date of the Presidential Primary Election.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SB551 (Martin) – Proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to remove the requirement for a separate ballot for the retention of judges.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SB636 (Baker) – Authorizes the leasing of approximately 69.43 acres of land at the State Correctional Institution – Waymart in the Township of Canaan and the Borough of Waymart, Wayne County.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SB795 (Dush) – Authorizes the conveyance of approximately 4.132 acres of land in Richmond township, Tioga County.
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
The Senate State Government Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 to receive a report on the processing of census data and consider other matters relating to legislative reappointment
The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday June 23, 2021 to considered the following bills:
HB 1300 (Grove) – Comprehensive Election Code Bill
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday June 22, 2021 to considered the following bills:
SB 222 (Boscola) — Provides for the Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Act
Senator Argall introduced amendment A01777 which was a gut and replacement amendment to establish the “Congressional Reapportionment Standards Act” to deal with congressional reapportionment only. The amendment was adopted by a party-line vote of 7-4.
The bill was reported as amended by a vote of 8-3 with Collett, Muth, and A. Williams voting in the negative.
SB 738 (Phillips-Hill) – Establishes a website tracker for the public to monitor progress of proposed constitutional amendments
The bill was reported as committed by a unanimous vote.
SB 784 (Argall) – Amends the Election Code to provide for pre-canvassing seven days prior to an Election and to match the application deadline for absentee and mail-in ballots to match the voter registration deadline of 15 days
Senator Argall went over the bill.
HB 1010 (Ortitay) – Proposes a constitutional amendment to change responsibility for advertising future constitutional amendments
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
Senator Argall concluded the meeting with an announcement that the committee is likely to reconvene in the next day or two to consider HB1300 (Grove), if that bill is passed by the House.
The Senate State Government Committee met on June 15, 2021 to considered the following bills:
SB 735 (J. Ward) – A Constitutional Amendment requiring voters to present identification at each election whether they vote in person or by mail.Senator Argall introduced amendment A01718 which made technical changes. The amendment was adopted by a party-line vote of 7-4.The bill was reported as amended by a party-line vote of 7-4.
SB 764 (Argall) – Amends the Admin Code to requiring the Legislative Reference Bureau to develop and implement a legislative process training program for the Department of State.The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 10-1 with Senator Collett voting in the negative.
State Government Committee Holds Public Hearing on Congressional Redistricting on May 26, 2021
The Senate State Government Committee met on May 25, 2021 to consider the following nominations to the Civil Service Commission:
- Gregory Lane of Harrisburg. This is a reappointment.
Senator Dush moved that Mr. Lane’s nomination be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously. - Maria Donatucci of Philadelphia. This is a new appointment to fill the seat vacated by Teresa Osbourne.
Senator Phillips-Hill moved that Rep. Donatucci be reported our of committee with no recommendation. This motion passed unanimously.
The Senate State Government Committee met on May 25, 2021 to consider the following nominations to the Civil Service Commission:
- Gregory Lane of Harrisburg. This is a reappointment.
Senator Dush moved that Mr. Lane’s nomination be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously. - Maria Donatucci of Philadelphia. This is a new appointment to fill the seat vacated by Teresa Osbourne.
Senator Phillips-Hill moved that Rep. Donatucci be reported our of committee with no recommendation. This motion passed unanimously.
The Senate State Government Committee met today, Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 12:30 PM and considered the following bills:
SB519 (Mastriano) – A joint resolution to amend the PA Constitution by changing the beginning of a legislative term from December 1 to January 1 to allow for session days in December after an election.
The bill was reported as committed by a party-line vote of 7-4.
SB559 (Argall) – Amends the Administrative Code to require the public reporting of the number of administered COVID-19 vaccines and the number of wasted COVID-19 vaccines.
Senator Argall introduced amendment A00946 which clarified the data to be made public and changed the effective date. The amendment was adopted unanimously.
The bill was reported as amended by unanimous vote.
SB561 (Fontana) – Authorizes the conveyance by competitive bid of approximately 20.2736 acres of land, buildings and improvements at the former State Correctional Institution in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
The bill was reported as committed by unanimous vote.
HB854 (Ecker) – Amends the Administrative Code to require the preservation for a 10 year period the records related to the COVID-19 emergency order.
The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 8-3 with Senators Haywood, Street, and A. Williams in the negative.
The Senate State Government Committee met today, Tuesday, March 23, 2021 and voted on the following:
SB 423 (J. Ward): An Act amending Title 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to permit retirees from the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) to return to service and work part-time as a state-certified fire instructor without having their benefits stopped. The bill was reported as committed by unanimous vote.
SB 441 (Argall): An Act providing for qualifications of chairperson of the Legislative Reapportionment Commission. The bill was reported as amended by unanimous vote.
Senator Argall introduced technical amendment A00567 which changed the qualification requiring a chairperson to have voted in “2 of the last 3 statewide elections” to read “at least 2 of the last 3 statewide elections.” The amendment was adopted unanimously.
SR36 (Martin): A resolution urging Congress to make daylight savings time permanent. The resolution was reported as committed by unanimous vote..
The Senate State Government Committee met today, Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM and voted on the following:
SB 274 (Fontana): Authorizes the conveyance by competitive bid of approximately 2.09 acres of land, buildings, and improvements in Coraopolis Borough, Allegheny County
This bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote
HB 284 (Metcalfe): Updates and modernizes the History Code
This bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote
The Senate State Government Committee met today, Wednesday, January 27, 2021 and voted on the following:
SB106 (Argall): A Constitutional amendment to change the process for selecting the Lieutenant Governor.
The bill was reported favorably by a vote of 10-1. Senator Muth voted in the negative.
SB113 (Scavello): An Act designating “The Pennsylvania March” as the official march of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The bill was reported favorably by a unanimous vote.
SB116 (Scavello): Amends Title 37 (Historical & Museums) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to update and modernize the History Code.
The bill was reported favorably by a unanimous vote.
Senator Sharif Street
Committee Chair