PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 12, 2007:
State Sen. Mike Stack described the unanimous Senate approval of
legislative reform rules as a positive first step for a more
open and accessible state government.
On the first day of the new
2007-08 legislative session, the Senate agreed to institutional
rules that would end late-night votes and stealth amendments
while providing Pennsylvanians with access to Senate voting
activities via the Internet.
The rules were based on last
session’s Democratic-sponsored reform package and follow the
enactment of the Lobbying Disclosure Law.
“These new rules are a good first
step toward creating an atmosphere of transparency and good
government in Harrisburg,” Stack said. “I will sponsor
legislation to make these changes better and more permanent.”
Specifically, the senator is
supporting legislation that would require all roll-call votes to
be posted on the Internet within 24 hours, and committee votes
within 48 hours. The complete journal of each legislative
session day would have to be on the Internet within 30 days.
Stack will also support legislation that would require that a
bill is put on the calendar for at least 72 hours, in its final
form as amended, before putting it up for a final vote, as well
as proposals that would increase opportunities for public
hearings on bills.
These upcoming bills, if passed,
would take effect immediately, and would also be offered as
Constitutional amendments to Pennsylvania law.
“We need to continue to restore
the people’s trust, and these bills will encourage the public to
take an active role in the legislative process by monitoring
their representatives’ actions
and participating in public hearings,” Stack said. “We also need
to make these rules universal for the Senate, House and the
administration.”
Under the newly adopted Senate
rules:
-
Session times will be limited
to 8 a.m. through 11 p.m.
-
Amendments will be posted on
the Internet before being offered on the Senate floor.
-
The Senate will wait at least
six hours before voting on an amended bill or a conference
committee report.
-
All roll call votes will be
posted on the Internet as soon as possible after a vote, but
always within 24 hours of the vote.
-
Committee votes on bills will
be posted on the Internet within 48 hours of the vote.
-
The Senate’s Legislative
Journal – which includes the full text of all floor debates
– will be posted on the Internet upon Senate approval of the
Journal or within 45 days, whichever is earlier.
-
An updated fiscal note will
be prepared if a bill is amended after consideration by the
Senate Appropriations Committee, if the amendment has a
fiscal impact.
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