A Resolution adopting permanent rules for the House of Representatives, further providing for definitions, for order of business, for fiscal notes, for consideration of bills, for third consideration and final passage bills, for House and concurrent resolutions, for standing committees and subcommittees, for powers and duties of standing committees and subcommittees, for public hearings, for discharge of committees, for lay on the table and for previous question.

PRINTER'S NO. 1
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 1
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY McCLINTON, JANUARY 7, 2025
INTRODUCED, JANUARY 7, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Adopting permanent rules for the House of Representatives,
further providing for definitions, for order of business, for
fiscal notes, for consideration of bills, for third
consideration and final passage bills, for House and
concurrent resolutions, for standing committees and
subcommittees, for powers and duties of standing committees
and subcommittees, for public hearings, for discharge of
committees, for lay on the table and for previous question.
RESOLVED, That the Permanent Rules of the House of
Representatives (2023-2024) be adopted as the Permanent Rules of
the House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 session of the
House of Representatives with the following amendments to the
heading, definitions and Rules 17, 19 (a), 21, 24, 35, 43, 45,
50, 53, 59 and 61:
[2023-2024] 2025-2026
GENERAL OPERATING RULES
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The following words and phrases when used in the General
Operating Rules of the House of Representatives shall have the
meanings given to them in this section unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:
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"Day" shall mean any calendar day.
"Floor of the House" shall be that area within the Hall of
the House between the Speaker's rostrum and the brass rail
behind the Members' seats.
"Formal Action" shall mean any vote or motion of a member of
a standing committee, standing subcommittee, select committee or
rules committee of the House of Representatives to report or not
report, amend, consider or table a bill or resolution and the
discussion and debate thereof.
"Hall of the House" shall be the floor space within its four
walls and does not include the adjoining conference rooms, the
lobbies or the upper gallery of the House.
"Legislative Day" shall mean any day that the House shall be
in session.
["Majority Party" shall mean the political party that won the
greater number of elections for the 203 seats in the House of
Representatives in the general election preceding the term of
service that began on the first day of December next after the
general election. If a vacancy shall occur during the term, the
political party that won that seat at the last election shall
remain the party that won that seat until any subsequent special
election is held to fill that seat. Following a special election
during the term, the number of elections won by each political
party for the 203 seats in the House of Representatives shall be
redetermined as provided in this definition. Nothing in this
definition shall preclude an individual elected to hold a seat
in the House of Representatives from changing their political
party registration.]
"Press Gallery" shall be within that area known as the Hall
of the House as designated by the Speaker.
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"Roll Call Vote" shall be a vote taken by and displayed on
the electronic roll call board or in the event of a malfunction
of the electronic roll call board, by such method as shall be
determined by the Speaker.
* * *
RULE 17
Order of Business
The daily order of business shall be:
(1) Prayer or invocation.
(2) Pledge of Allegiance.
(3) Correction and approval of the Journal.
(4) Leaves of absence.
(5) Master Roll Call.
(6) Reports of Committee.
(7) First consideration bills.
(8) Second consideration bills.
(9) Third consideration bills, final passage bills
(including both third consideration and final passage postponed
bills) and resolutions.
(10) Final passage bills recalled from the Governor.
(11) Messages from the Senate and communications from the
Governor.
(12) Reference to appropriate committees of bills,
resolutions, petitions, memorials, remonstrances and other
papers.
(13) Unfinished business on the Speaker's table.
(14) Announcements.
(15) Adjournment.
Any question may, by a majority vote of the members elected,
be made a special order of business. When a special order of
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business is adopted for a question on second consideration, the
question shall immediately be placed on the House Voting
Schedule and the Speaker shall place the question before the
House on the earliest possible voting Session Day in accordance
with Rule 21. All other questions shall be placed before the
House on the same legislative day.
In lieu of offering House Resolutions on topics of importance
to members, any member, without unanimous consent, may address
the House on such issue and have their remarks entered into the
record during a special period of time established each week by
the Speaker either prior to, or at the conclusion of, House
business on a specific day.
* * *
RULE 19 (a)
Fiscal Notes
(1) No bill, except a General Appropriation bill or any
amendments thereto, which may require an expenditure of
Commonwealth funds or funds of any political subdivision or
which may entail a loss of revenues overall, or to any
separately established fund shall be given third consideration
reading on the calendar until it has first been referred to the
Appropriations Committee for a fiscal note, provided however
that the Rules Committee may by an affirmative vote of three-
quarters of the entire membership to which such committee is
entitled:
(a) Waive the recommittal to the Appropriations
Committee and provide that the fiscal note be attached to the
bill while on the active calendar. The providing of such note
shall be a priority item for the Appropriations Committee; or
(b) Waive the necessity of a fiscal note on any bill
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which it deems to have a de minimis fiscal impact or which
merely authorizes, rather than mandates, an increase in
expenditures or an action that would result in a loss of
revenue.
(2) Nothing herein shall preclude any member from moving, at
the proper time, the recommittal of any bill to the
Appropriations Committee for a fiscal note.
(3) The Appropriations Committee shall be limited in its
consideration of any such bill which has received second
consideration to the fiscal aspects of the bill and shall not
consider the substantive merits of the bill nor refuse to report
any such bill from committee for reasons other than fiscal
aspects. The fiscal note shall accompany the bill and provide
the following information in connection with the Commonwealth
and its political subdivisions:
(a) The designation of the fund out of which the
appropriation providing for expenditures under the bill shall
be made;
(b) The probable cost of the bill for the fiscal year of
its enactment;
(c) A projected cost estimate of the program for each of
the [five] two succeeding fiscal years;
(d) The fiscal history of the program for which
expenditures are to be made;
(e) The probable loss of revenue from the bill for the
fiscal year of its enactment;
(f) A projected loss of revenue estimate from the bill
for each of the [five] two succeeding fiscal years;
(g) The line item, if any, of the General Fund, special
fund or other account out of which expenditures or losses of
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Commonwealth funds shall occur as a result of the bill;
(h) The recommendation, if any, of the Appropriations
Committee and the reasons therefor relative to the passage or
defeat of the bill; and
(i) A reference to the source of the data from which the
foregoing fiscal information was obtained, and an explanation
of the basis upon which it is computed.
(4) No bill which may result in an increase in the
expenditure of Commonwealth funds shall be given third
consideration reading on the calendar until the Appropriations
Committee has certified that provision has been made to
appropriate funds equal to such increased expenditure. Whenever
the Appropriations Committee cannot so certify, the bill shall
be returned to the committee from which it was last reported for
further consideration and/or amendment.
(5) No [amendment to a] bill that has been amended after
being reported by the Appropriations Committee, concurrences in
Senate amendments, or adoption of a conference report which may
result in an increase in the expenditure of Commonwealth funds
or those of a political subdivision or which may entail a loss
of revenues in addition to that originally provided for in the
bill prior to the proposed changes nor any bill requiring a
fiscal note for which re-referral to the Appropriations
Committee has been waived by the Rules Committee shall be voted
upon until a fiscal note is available for distribution to the
members with respect to such changes or to such bill showing the
fiscal effect of the changes with respect to the bill, and
containing the information set forth by subsection (3) of this
rule.
(6) When an amendment or certificate is timely filed with
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the amendment clerk under Rule 21, the amendment or certificate
shall be forwarded to the Appropriations Committee. [Upon
receipt of an amendment, the Appropriations Committee shall
automatically prepare a fiscal note.]
(7) In obtaining the information required by these rules,
the Appropriations Committee may utilize the services of the
Office of the Budget and any other State agency as may be
necessary.
(8) No bill proposing any change relative to a public
employee pension or retirement plan may be given second
consideration until an actuarial note prepared by an enrolled
pension actuary as provided in Section 615-B of the
Administrative Code of 1929 has been attached. No amendment to
any bill proposing any change relative to a public employee
pension or retirement plan may be considered until an actuarial
note prepared by an enrolled pension actuary as provided in
Section 615-B of the Administrative Code of 1929 has been
attached. Except for the provisions pertaining to the content of
fiscal notes as set forth in paragraphs (a) through (i) of
subsection (3), all the provisions pertaining to and procedures
required of bills containing fiscal notes, shall, where
applicable, also be required for bills containing actuarial
note. The actuarial note shall contain a brief explanatory
statement or note which shall include a reliable estimate of the
financial and actuarial effect of the proposed change to such
public employee pension or retirement plan.
* * *
RULE 21
Consideration of Bills
(a) Every bill and every joint resolution shall be
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considered on three different days. All amendments made thereto
shall be printed for the use of the members before the final
vote is taken thereon, and before the final vote is taken, upon
written request addressed to the presiding officer by at least
25% of the members elected to the House, any bill shall be read
at length. No bill shall become law and no joint resolution
adopted unless, on its final passage, the vote is taken by yeas
and nays, the names of the persons voting for and against it are
entered on the Journal, and a majority of the members elected to
the House is recorded thereon as voting in its favor.
(Constitution, Article III, Section 4).
(b) Members shall be notified of bills and resolutions
scheduled to be voted no later than prior to the close of
business at 4:30 P.M. of the second legislative day prior to the
date of second consideration for legislation that has no legal
deadline. (The General Appropriation Act and non-preferred bills
are included within the definition of legislation that has no
legal deadline.) Except as provided in subsection (d), all
amendments shall be submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk
by 1:00 P.M. of the last legislative day preceding the scheduled
date of second consideration. Members shall be notified of bills
scheduled to be voted on third consideration. A change in the
printer's number as a result of third consideration shall not
require an additional notice of final passage. No vote on final
passage can occur before the date of the scheduled vote.
(c) If the amendment cannot be submitted in accordance with
the above subsection because it is still being prepared by the
Legislative Reference Bureau, the member must provide the Office
of the Chief Clerk with a statement, by the above-noted 1:00
P.M. deadline, prepared by the member containing the factual
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content of said amendment along with certification from the
Legislative Reference Bureau that the amendment was submitted to
the Legislative Reference Bureau for drafting prior to the
above-noted 1:00 P.M. deadline. The Legislative Reference Bureau
may not issue a certificate for an amendment to a bill as
amended by another amendment unless the requesting member can
identify by number the underlying amendment.
(d) In cases where an amendment alters a bill so as to
effectively rule out of order an amendment which was timely
filed pursuant to the provisions of this rule, a replacement
amendment may be submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk
provided that the subject matter of the replacement amendment is
not substantially different from the intent of the original
amendment. The replacement amendment shall be deemed to have met
the timely filed conditions provided for in this rule. The
member shall notify the Speaker of the member's intent to file a
replacement amendment and shall file a certificate with the
Office of the Chief Clerk. The bill in question may continue to
receive consideration but shall not be moved to third
consideration until the replacement amendment is available for a
vote. If consideration of the bill is delayed to a new
legislative day due solely to delay in receipt of replacement
amendments, then only amendments timely filed for the date of
the originally scheduled vote and replacement amendments shall
be considered. This limitation on amendments shall not apply to
the bill in question if consideration of the bill is rescheduled
beyond the new legislative day.
(e) A bill may not receive action on concurrence until at
least [six] three hours have elapsed from the time the bill and
its amendatory language was available to the public, unless the
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amendment was a technical amendment as described under the first
paragraph of Rule 24 or an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the
members elected to the House indicates they have had sufficient
time to review the language and thereby approve proceeding with
the bill.
A brief description of every bill on concurrence shall be
given prior to a vote. Additionally, members shall be notified
and conference committee reports shall be available to members
at least three hours prior to the adoption of all conference
committee reports. When these reports are considered on the
first legislative day of the week, said notice shall be provided
no later than the close of business on the last business day
preceding the vote. Notwithstanding notice provided, members
may, by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members elected to the
House, indicate that they have had sufficient time to review a
conference committee report and that they approve proceeding
with a vote.
(f) No joint resolution proposing an amendment to the
Constitution of Pennsylvania shall be given second reading on
the calendar until it has been the subject of a public hearing
as provided under Rule 50. No joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the Constitution of Pennsylvania shall be given a
third reading, final passage, action on concurrence or
consideration by the House based on a report of a Committee of
Conference if the joint resolution proposes submitting the
amendment to the qualified electors of the State at any time
other than at the next constitutionally permissible municipal or
general election. This paragraph (f) shall not apply to a joint
resolution proposing an emergency amendment to the Constitution
of Pennsylvania under section 1(a) and (b) of Article XI of the
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Constitution of Pennsylvania.
* * *
RULE 24
Third Consideration and Final Passage Bills
Bills on third consideration shall be considered in their
calendar order and shall be subject to amendment only when an
amendment is necessary to make the document internally
consistent, to clear up an ambiguity, to correct grammar or to
correct a drafting error or is necessary for purposes of
statutory construction. An amendment under this paragraph shall
not be subject to the filing deadlines under Rule 21. A bill
having received consideration by the House on three different
days and having been agreed to may be called by the Speaker to
receive action on final passage; however, a bill may not receive
action on final passage until at least [six] three hours have
elapsed from the time the bill and its amendatory language was
available to the public, unless the amendment was a technical
amendment permitted under the first paragraph of this rule or an
affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members elected to the House
indicates that they have had sufficient time to review the
language of the bill and thereby approve proceeding with the
bill. Upon being called to receive action on final passage, the
title and a brief description of a bill shall be read. A bill on
final passage shall not be subject to amendment, but shall be
subject to debate. At the conclusion of debate, the Speaker
shall then state the question as follows:
"This bill has been considered on three different days and
agreed to and is now on final passage. The question is, shall
the bill pass finally? Agreeable to the provision of the
Constitution, the yeas and nays will now be taken."
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When more than one bill shall be called for action on final
passage at the same time, prior to voting, the title or a brief
analysis of each bill shall be read.
The Speaker shall then state the question as follows:
"These bills have been considered on three different days and
agreed to and are now on final passage. The question is, shall
the bills on the uncontested calendar pass finally? Agreeable to
the provision of the Constitution, the yeas and nays will now be
taken."
* * *
RULE 35
House and Concurrent Resolutions
Members introducing resolutions other than concurrent
resolutions shall file five copies thereof; seven copies of
concurrent resolutions shall be filed. All resolutions shall be
signed by their sponsors, dated and filed with the Chief Clerk.
After being numbered, one copy of all resolutions shall be given
to the news media and all other copies delivered to the Speaker.
A sponsor may not be added or withdrawn after a resolution has
been printed. Resolutions may not be withdrawn after reference
to a committee.
Unless privileged under Rule 36 for immediate consideration
or deemed noncontroversial by the Speaker in consultation with
the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader, the Speaker shall
refer House resolutions (except discharge resolutions) and
Senate resolutions presented to the House for concurrence to
appropriate committees. No House resolution shall be deemed
noncontroversial if an indictment is returned or a charge is
filed before a court of record against the prime sponsor of the
resolution, and the gravamen of the indictment or charge is
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directly related to the member's conduct as a member or is one
which would render the member ineligible to the General Assembly
under section 7 of Article II of the Constitution of
Pennsylvania. If, during the same legislative term, the
indictment or charge is quashed, dismissed or withdrawn, or the
court finds that the member is not guilty of the offense
alleged, the member may be the prime sponsor of subsequently
introduced House resolutions deemed noncontroversial as provided
in this rule.
House resolutions deemed noncontroversial shall be limited to
condolence resolutions for current or former public officials,
or for members of the armed services or emergency first
responders killed in the line of duty, and shall be considered
under the proper order of business on the same day as introduced
or within two legislative days thereafter without being referred
to committee. The Speaker, in consultation with the Majority
Leader and the Minority Leader, shall place noncontroversial
resolutions on an uncontested resolution calendar. Resolutions
on the uncontested calendar may be voted by a single roll-call
vote. Each resolution listed on the uncontested resolution
calendar shall be printed separately in the journal with the
vote recorded on the approval of the uncontested calendar as the
vote on final passage of each resolution contained therein.
A House resolution other than a joint resolution shall not:
(a) encourage action on a public issue unless either the
resolution has legal force or effect concerning such action or
such action would be taken by a public body; or
(b) congratulate individuals or entities for achievements.
The Speaker shall report to the House the committees to which
resolutions have been referred, either on the day introduced or
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received or the next two legislative days the House is in
session.
A resolution introduced in the House and referred to
committee shall be printed and placed in the House files.
When a resolution (House or Senate) is reported from
committee, it shall be placed on the calendar and may be called
up by a member for consideration by the House under the order of
business of resolutions. A House resolution other than a
concurrent or joint resolution shall be adopted by a majority of
the members voting.
Debate on any debatable question related to a House
resolution other than a concurrent or joint resolution shall be
limited to three minutes each time a member is recognized. On a
House resolution other than a concurrent or joint resolution, a
sponsor of an amendment shall be entitled to be recognized
twice, a maker of a debatable motion shall be entitled to be
recognized twice and any other members shall be entitled to be
recognized once.
* * *
RULE 43
Standing Committees and Subcommittees
The Committee on Committees shall consist of the Speaker and
15 members of the House, ten of whom shall be members of the
majority party and five of whom shall be members of the minority
party, whose duty shall be to recommend to the House the names
of members who are to serve on the standing committees of the
House. Except for the Speaker, the Majority and Minority
Leaders, Whips, Caucus Chairs, Caucus Secretaries, Caucus
Administrators, Policy Chairs and the chairs and minority chairs
of standing committees, each member shall be entitled to serve
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on not less than two standing committees.
The Speaker shall appoint the chair and vice-chair of each
standing committee when such standing committee has no standing
subcommittees as prescribed herein, except the Committee on
Appropriations which shall also have a vice-chair appointed by
the Speaker; when the standing committee has standing
subcommittees, the Speaker shall appoint a subcommittee chair
for each standing subcommittee. The Speaker shall appoint a
secretary for each standing committee. The Minority Leader shall
appoint the minority chair, minority vice-chair and minority
secretary of each standing committee and the minority
subcommittee chair for each standing subcommittee.
Except for members who decline chair status or minority chair
status in writing or who are barred from serving as a chair or
minority chair under this rule, the chair and minority chair of
each standing committee except the Appropriations Committee
shall be limited only to the members of the applicable caucus
with the most seniority as members of their respective caucus.
Whenever there are more caucus members with equal seniority than
available chairs or minority chairs for that caucus, the
selection of a chair or minority chair from among such caucus
members shall be in the discretion of the appointing authority.
The appointing authority may designate the standing committee to
which the appointing authority shall appoint a member as chair
or minority chair without regard to seniority. The Speaker and
the Floor Leader, Whip, Caucus Chair, Caucus Secretary, Caucus
Administrator and Policy Chair of the majority party and
minority party shall not be eligible to serve as chair or
minority chair of any standing committee and no member may serve
as chair or minority chair of more than one standing committee.
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Any chair or minority chair held by a member who fails to
meet the requirements of this rule shall become vacant by
automatic operation of this rule. If the appointing authority
fails to make an appointment of a chair or minority chair prior
to the organizational meeting of a standing committee or fails
to fill a vacancy within seven calendar days after it occurs,
such position shall be deemed to remain vacant in violation of
this rule. Whenever a chair or minority chair becomes vacant or
remains vacant in violation of this rule, the member of the
applicable caucus who meets the requirements of this rule shall
automatically fill the vacancy and, if there are two or more
such eligible caucus members for any such vacancy or vacancies,
they shall be filled from among such eligible members through a
lottery to be conducted under the supervision of the Chief Clerk
after giving notice of the time and place thereof to all
eligible members, to the Speaker, to the Majority Leader and to
the Minority Leader.
Nothing in this rule shall prohibit the appointing authority
from transferring a member from the chair or minority chair of a
standing committee to the chair or minority chair of another
standing committee.
Whenever the appointment of a chair or minority chair will
cause the applicable caucus to exceed its permissible allocation
of members on a standing committee, the appointing authority
shall make a temporary transfer of an eligible committee member
to the standing committee vacated by the member appointed as
chair or minority chair until a regular committee appointment
can be made in accordance with the rules of the House. If the
Speaker or Minority Leader fails to make a temporary transfer
within seven calendar days after such appointment, the committee
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member with the least seniority, who is eligible for transfer,
shall be automatically transferred to the committee vacated by
the newly appointed chair or minority chair and, if more than
one committee member is eligible for such transfer, the transfer
shall be implemented through a lottery conducted under the
supervision of the Chief Clerk.
The Speaker of the House, Floor Leader of the majority party
and the Floor Leader of the minority party shall be ex-officio
members of all standing committees, without the right to vote
and they shall be excluded from any limitation as to the number
of members on the committees or in counting a quorum.
[Twenty-four] Twenty-seven standing committees of the House,
each to consist of [25] 26 members except the Committee on
Appropriations, which shall consist of 37 members, are hereby
created. In addition, there are hereby created 54 standing
subcommittees.
All standing committees shall consist of 14 members of the
majority party and [11] 12 members of the minority party, except
the Committee on Appropriations which shall consist of 22
members of the majority party and 15 members of the minority
party. The quorum for each of the standing committees and
subcommittees shall be no less than the majority of said
committees. The following are the standing committees and
subcommittees thereof:
(1) Aging and Older Adult Services
(a) Subcommittee on Care and Services
(b) Subcommittee on Programs and Benefits
(2) Agriculture and Rural Affairs
(3) Appropriations
(a) Subcommittee on Health and Human Services
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(b) Subcommittee on Education
(c) Subcommittee on Economic Impact and Infrastructure
(d) Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy
(e) Subcommittee on Criminal Justice
(f) Subcommittee on Government and Financial Oversight
(4) Children and Youth
(5) Commerce
(a) Subcommittee on Financial Services and Banking
(b) Subcommittee on Housing Finance
(c) Subcommittee on Economic Development
(d) Subcommittee on Local Business
(e) Subcommittee on Automation and Technology
(6) Communications and Technology
[(6)] (7) Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities
(a) Subcommittee on Utilities
(b) Subcommittee on Consumer Protection
(c) Subcommittee on Technology
[(7)] (8) Education
(a) Subcommittee on Basic Education
(b) Subcommittee on Higher Education
(c) Subcommittee on Special Education
(d) Subcommittee on Career and Technical Education
(9) Energy
[(8)] (10) Environmental [Resources and Energy] and Natural
Resource Protection
(a) [Subcommittee on Energy
(b)] Subcommittee on Mining
[(c)] (b) Subcommittee on Parks and Forests
[(9)] (11) Finance
(a) Subcommittee on Tax Modernization and Reform
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[(10)] (12) Game and Fisheries
[(11)] (13) Gaming Oversight
[(12)] (14) Health
(a) Subcommittee on Health Facilities
(b) Subcommittee on Health Care
[(13)] (15) Housing and Community Development
[(14)] (16) Human Services
(a) Subcommittee on Mental Health
(b) Subcommittee on Drugs and Alcohol
[(15)] (17) Insurance
(18) Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations
[(16)] (19) Judiciary
(a) Subcommittee on Crime and Corrections
(b) Subcommittee on Courts
(c) Subcommittee on Family Law
[(17)] (20) Labor and Industry
(a) Subcommittee on Employment and Unemployment
Compensation
(b) Subcommittee on Workers Compensation and Worker
Protection
[(18)] (21) Liquor Control
(a) Subcommittee on Licensing
(b) Subcommittee on Marketing
[(19)] (22) Local Government
(a) Subcommittee on Boroughs
(b) Subcommittee on Cities
[(b)] (c) Subcommittee on Counties
[(c)] (d) Subcommittee on Townships
[(20)] (23) Professional Licensure
[(21)] (24) State Government
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(a) Subcommittee on Government Operations
(b) Subcommittee on Government Information Technology
and Communication
(c) Subcommittee on Government Integrity and
Transparency
(d) Subcommittee on Public Pensions, Benefits and Risk
Management
(e) Subcommittee on Campaign Finance and Elections
[(22)] (25) Tourism [and Economic and Recreational],
Recrea tion and Economic Development
(a) Subcommittee on Arts and Entertainment
(b) Subcommittee on Recreation
(c) Subcommittee on Travel Promotion, History and
Heritage
[(23)] (26) Transportation
(a) Subcommittee on Highways
(b) Subcommittee on Public Transportation
(c) Subcommittee on Transportation Safety
(d) Subcommittee on Aviation
(e) Subcommittee on Railroads
(f) Subcommittee on Ports
[(24)] (27) Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness
(a) Subcommittee on Military and Veterans Facilities
(b) Subcommittee on Security and Emergency Response
Readiness
* * *
RULE 45
Powers and Duties of Standing Committees
and Subcommittees
The chair of each standing committee and subcommittee shall
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fix regular weekly, biweekly or monthly meeting days for the
transaction of business before the committee or subcommittee.
The chair of the committee or subcommittee shall notify all
members, at least 24 hours in advance of the date, time and
place of regular meetings, and, insofar as possible, the
subjects on the agenda. In addition to regular meetings, special
meetings may be called from time to time by the chair of the
committee or subcommittee as they deem necessary. No recess or
combination of recesses shall exceed 48 hours for any committee
meeting or subcommittee meeting. No committee shall meet during
any session of the House without first obtaining permission of
the Speaker. During any such meeting, no vote shall be taken on
the Floor of the House on any amendment, recommittal motion,
final passage of any bill, or any other matter requiring a roll
call vote. Any committee meeting called off the Floor of the
House shall meet in a committee room. In addition to the
specific provisions of this rule, all provisions of 65 Pa.C.S.
Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings) relative to notice of meetings
shall be complied with.
At regularly scheduled meetings, or upon the call of the
chair, or subcommittee chair, for special meetings, the
membership of such committees shall meet to consider any bill,
resolution, or other matter on the agenda. The secretary of each
standing committee, or in case of subcommittees a secretary
designated by the subcommittee chair, shall record:
(1) the minutes of the meeting,
(2) all votes taken,
(3) a roll or attendance of members at standing committee or
subcommittee meetings showing the names of those present, absent
or excused from attendance, and the majority and minority chairs
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or their designees shall verify by their signatures all votes
taken and the roll or attendance of those members present,
absent or excused before said records are submitted to the Chief
Clerk, and
(4) dispatch of bills and resolutions before the committee.
Such records shall be open to public inspection. On the first
legislative day of each week the House is in session, the chair
of each standing committee shall submit to the Chief Clerk for
inclusion in the House Journal only, the roll or record of
attendance of members at standing committee or subcommittee
meetings held prior thereto and not yet reported, along with the
record of all votes taken at such meetings. All reports from
standing committees shall be prepared in writing by the
secretary of the committee. Members of a standing committee may
prepare in writing and file a minority report, setting forth the
reasons for their dissent. Such committee reports shall be filed
with the Chief Clerk within five days of the meeting. All
meetings at which formal action is taken by a standing committee
or subcommittee shall be open to the public, making such reports
as are required under Rule 44. When any member, except for an
excused absence, fails to attend five consecutive regular
meetings of the member's committee, the chair of that committee
or subcommittee shall notify the member of that fact and, if the
member in question fails to reasonably justify absences to the
satisfaction of a majority of the membership of the standing
committee of which he or she is a member, membership on the
committee or subcommittee shall be deemed vacant and the chair
of the standing committee shall notify the Speaker of the House
to that effect. Such vacancy shall then be filled in the manner
prescribed by these rules.
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Whenever the chair of any standing committee shall refuse to
call a regular meeting, then a majority of the members of the
standing committee may vote to call a meeting by giving two days
written notice to the Speaker of the House, setting the time and
place for such meeting. Such notice shall be read in the House
and the same posted by the Chief Clerk in the House Chamber.
Thereafter, the meeting shall be held at the time and place
specified in the notice. In addition, all provisions of 65
Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings) relative to notice of
meetings shall be complied with.
Records, bills and other papers in the possession of
committees and subcommittees, upon final adjournment of the
House shall be filed with the Chief Clerk.
The chair of each standing committee shall have the power to
administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before
the committee.
No committee report, except a report of the Appropriations
Committee, shall be recognized by the House, unless the same has
been acted upon by a majority vote of the members of a standing
committee present at a committee session actually assembled and
meeting as a committee, provided such majority vote numbers at
least [12] 13 members, and provided further a quorum is present.
No committee report of the Appropriations Committee shall be
recognized by the House, unless the same has been acted upon by
a majority vote of the members of such committee present at a
committee session actually assembled and meeting as a committee,
provided such majority vote numbers at least 17 members, and
provided further a quorum is present.
When the majority of the members of a standing committee
believe that a certain bill or resolution in the possession of
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the standing committee should be considered and acted upon by
such committee, they may request the chair to include the same
as part of the business of a committee meeting. Upon failure of
the chair to comply with such request, the membership may
require that such bill be considered by written motion made and
approved by a majority vote of the entire membership to which
such committee is entitled.
Whenever the phrase "majority of members of a standing
committee or subcommittee" is used in these rules, it shall mean
majority of the entire membership to which a standing committee
or subcommittee is entitled, unless the context thereof
indicates a different intent.
To assist the House in appraising the administration of the
laws and in developing such amendments or related legislation as
it may deem necessary, each standing committee or subcommittee
of the House shall exercise continuous watchfulness of the
execution by the administrative agencies concerned of any laws,
the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of such
committee or subcommittee; and, for that purpose, shall study
all pertinent reports and data submitted to the House by the
agencies in the executive branch of the Government.
The Committee on Appropriations shall have the power to issue
subpoenas under the hand and seal of its chair commanding any
person to appear before it and answer questions touching matters
properly being inquired into by the committee, which matters
shall include data from any fund administered by the
Commonwealth, and to produce such books, papers, records,
accounts, reports, documents and data and information produced
and stored by any electronic data processing system as the
committee deems necessary. Such subpoenas may be served upon any
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person and shall have the force and effect of subpoenas issued
out of the courts of this Commonwealth. Any person who willfully
neglects or refuses to testify before the committee or to
produce any books, papers, records, accounts, reports, documents
or data and information produced and stored by any electronic
data processing system shall be subject to the penalties
provided by the laws of the Commonwealth in such case. Each
member of the committee shall have power to administer oaths and
affirmations to witnesses appearing before the committee. The
committee may also cause the deposition of witnesses either
residing within or without the State to be taken in the manner
prescribed by law for taking depositions in civil actions.
* * *
RULE 50
Public Hearings
Each standing committee, subcommittee or select committee to
which a proposed bill, resolution or any matter is referred
shall have full power and authority to study said bill,
resolution or other matter before it, as such committee, shall
determine is necessary to enable it to report properly to the
House thereon. To this end, a standing committee, subcommittee,
or select committee, may as hereinafter provided, conduct public
hearings. No standing committee, subcommittee or select
committee shall hold any public hearings without prior approval
by [a majority vote of the members of the standing committee
and] the Speaker or the Majority Leader of the House. The
Speaker or the Majority Leader of the House shall withhold
approval of public hearings based only on budgetary
consideration.
When a public hearing has been authorized as aforesaid, the
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chair of the standing committee, subcommittee chair, or select
committee chair as the case may be, shall instruct the Chief
Clerk to give written notice thereof to each House Member not
less than five calendar days before the proposed hearings and
post the same in or immediately adjacent to the House Chambers.
Such notice, which shall contain the day, hour and place of the
hearing and the number or numbers of bills or other subject
matter to be considered at such hearing, shall also be given the
supervisor of the news room, and to the news media. In addition,
all provisions of 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings),
relative to notice of meetings shall be complied with.
Public hearings held by a standing committee shall be chaired
by the chair of such committee, unless absent, in which case an
acting chair shall be selected in the manner prescribed by these
rules to serve. Public hearings held by standing subcommittees
shall be chaired by the subcommittee chair thereof, but the
chair of the parent standing committee, as an ex-officio member
of the subcommittee, shall have the right to attend and
participate in the hearing proceedings. In the absence of the
subcommittee chair, an acting chair shall be appointed in the
manner prescribed by these rules.
All public hearings shall be open to the public and
reasonable opportunity to be heard shall be afforded to all
interested parties who have requested an appearance before the
committee. The minority chair shall be entitled to invite at
least one testifier who shall be entitled to testify at the
public hearing. In addition, it shall be the responsibility of
the committee in conducting its hearing to request the
presentation of testimony by any person who, in the opinion of
the committee, is qualified to present pertinent and important
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testimony.
Such committee shall, so far as practicable, request all
witnesses appearing before it to file written statements of
their proposed testimony. The chair shall have the right to fix
the order of appearance and the time to be allotted to
witnesses. Witnesses may submit brief pertinent statements in
writing for inclusion in the record. The committee is the sole
judge of the pertinency of testimony and evidence adduced at its
hearings.
The chair, in presiding at such public hearings, shall
preserve order and decorum, in and adjacent to the committee
room while the hearing is being conducted and shall have the
authority to direct the removal from the committee room of any
person who fails to comply with order and decorum of the
committee.
Proceedings of all public hearings shall be electronically
recorded and posted on the Internet as soon as practicable
thereafter. Such electronic records shall be preserved by the
Chief Clerk until authorized to dispose of same by an
affirmative vote of three-quarters of the entire membership of
the Rules Committee. A transcript may be requested by any member
at that member's expense. Any records and any reports of the
committee shall be filed with the Chief Clerk and shall be made
available to any person in accordance with reasonable rules and
regulations prescribed by the Chief Clerk. Upon payment of a
reasonable cost to be determined by the Chief Clerk, a person
may obtain a copy of the available records.
All written testimony at committee hearings shall be posted
on the Internet as soon thereafter as practicable.
The Chief Clerk shall not make payment of any expenses
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incurred as a result of a public hearing without the prior
written approval of the Speaker or the Majority Leader of the
House.
* * *
RULE 53
Discharge of Committees
A member may present to the Chief Clerk a resolution in
writing to discharge a committee from the consideration of a
bill or resolution which has been referred to it 15 legislative
days prior thereto (but only one motion may be presented for
each bill or resolution). The discharge resolution shall be
placed in the custody of the Chief Clerk, who shall arrange some
convenient place for the signature of the members. A signature
may be withdrawn by a member in writing at any time before the
discharge resolution is entered in the Journal. When [50] 25
members of the House[, 25 of whom shall be from the majority
party and 25 from the minority party,] shall have signed the
resolution, it shall be entered in the Journal and the title of
the bill or resolution and the name of the committee to be
discharged shall be printed on the calendar. [Once filed, a
discharge resolution shall be valid to discharge the underlying
bill or resolution from a standing committee of the House
without an additional intervening period, not just the committee
with possession of the bill or resolution at the time of the
filing.]
Any member who has signed a discharge resolution which has
been on the calendar at least one legislative day prior thereto
and seeks recognition, shall be recognized for the purpose of
calling up the discharge resolution and the House shall proceed
to its consideration without intervening motion except one
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motion to adjourn; however, no discharge resolution shall be
considered during the last six legislative days of any session
of the House. A majority vote of all the members elected to the
House shall be required to agree to a resolution to discharge a
committee. When any perfected discharge resolution has been
acted upon by the House and defeated it shall not be in order to
entertain during the same session of the House any other
discharge resolution from that committee of said measure, or
from any other committee of any other bill or resolution
substantially the same, relating in substance to or dealing with
the same subject matter.
* * *
RULE 59
Lay on the Table
A motion to lay on the table is debatable by the Majority
Leader, the Minority Leader, the maker of the motion, the maker
of the amendment under consideration and the prime sponsor of
the bill under consideration. It is not subject to amendment and
carries with it the main question and all other pending
questions which adhere to it, except when an appeal is laid on
the table. The passage of a motion to lay an individual
amendment on the table shall not cause the subject bill or
resolution and all other amendments to be laid on the table.
* * *
RULE 61
Previous Question
A motion for the previous question, seconded by 20 members
and sustained by a majority of the members present, shall put an
end to all debate and bring the House to an immediate vote on
the question then pending, or the questions on which it has been
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ordered.
A motion for the previous question may be made to embrace any
or all pending amendments or motions and to include the passage
or rejection of a bill or resolution. The motion for the
previous question is only debatable by the Majority Leader and
Minority Leader. Debate shall be limited to three minutes for
each leader. A motion for the previous question may only be made
after two hours of debate on the main question then pending or
after 10:00 P.M.
* * *
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