State Government 2021-2022
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