HJR566 • 2025

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: OWLETT
Last action: 2025-02-12
Official status: Referred to JUDICIARY, Feb. 12, 2025
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.

What This Bill Does

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2025-02-12 JUDICIARY
Referred to JUDICIARY, Feb. 12, 2025

Official Summary Text

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

PRIOR PASSAGE - NONE
PRINTER'S NO. 570
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 566
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY OWLETT, KAUFFMAN, SMITH, HAMM AND ZIMMERMAN,
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
A JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, further providing for tenure of justices,
judges and justices of the peace.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby resolves as follows:
Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of
Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with Article XI:
That section 15(a) of Article V be amended to read:
§ 15. Tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.
(a) The regular term of office of justices [and judges shall
be ten years and the regular term of office for], judges, judges
of the municipal court in the City of Philadelphia and of
justices of the peace shall be six years. The tenure of any
justice or judge shall not be affected by changes in judicial
districts or by reduction in the number of judges.
* * *
Section 2. The following procedure applies to the proposed
constitutional amendment in this joint resolution:
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(1) Upon the first passage by the General Assembly of
the amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
of Pennsylvania.
(2) Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of
the amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
of Pennsylvania. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
submit the amendment to the qualified electors of this
Commonwealth at the first general or municipal election which
meets the requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the
Constitution of Pennsylvania.
20250HB0566PN0570 - 2 -
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