A Joint Resolution proposing integrated amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for change of venue and for judicial administration.

PRIOR PASSAGE - NONE
PRINTER'S NO. 1182
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 125
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY DUSH, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
A JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing integrated amendments to the Constitution of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for change of
venue and for judicial administration.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby resolves as follows:
Section 1. The following integrated amendments to the
Constitution of Pennsylvania are proposed in accordance with
Article XI:
(1) That section 23 of Article III be amended to read:
§ 23. Change of venue.
[The] Except as provided by this Constitution or in law, the
power to change the venue in civil and criminal cases shall be
vested in the courts, to be exercised in such manner as shall be
provided by law.
(2) That section 10(c) of Article V be amended to read:
§ 10. Judicial administration.
* * *
(c) The Supreme Court shall have the power to prescribe
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general rules governing practice, procedure and the conduct of
all courts, justices of the peace and all officers serving
process or enforcing orders, judgments or decrees of any court
or justice of the peace, including the power to provide for
assignment and reassignment of classes of actions or classes of
appeals among the several courts as the needs of justice shall
require, and for admission to the bar and to practice law, and
the administration of all courts and supervision of all officers
of the Judicial Branch, if such rules are consistent with this
Constitution and neither abridge, enlarge nor modify the
substantive rights of any litigant, nor affect the right of the
General Assembly to determine the jurisdiction of any court or
justice of the peace, nor suspend nor alter any statute of
limitation or repose. All laws shall be suspended to the extent
that they are inconsistent with rules prescribed under these
provisions. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the
General Assembly may by statute [provide]:
(1) Provide for the manner of testimony of child victims or
child material witnesses in criminal proceedings, including the
use of videotaped depositions or testimony by closed-circuit
television.
(2) Establish venue in civil cases in this Commonwealth.
* * *
Section 2. The following procedure applies to the proposed
constitutional amendments in this joint resolution:
(1) Upon the first passage by the General Assembly of
the amendments, 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.
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(2) Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of
the amendments, 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 amendments to the qualified electors of this
Commonwealth as a single ballot question at the first
primary, general or municipal election which meets the
requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
of Pennsylvania.
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