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State Government Committee moves substantive legislation to full House

Legislation that would ban lame-duck sessions approved in committee last month

HARRISBURG, May 14 – Legislation that would eliminate "sine die" legislative sessions and add new financial reporting requirements for candidates are just two of the most recent bills reported out by the House State Government Committee.

State Rep. Babette Josephs, chairwoman of the committee, said those topics are just a few of the many substantive issues the committee has reviewed and voted on since she took the helm of the committee.

"These bills are just another example of the committee's demanding schedule and its efforts to submit legislation to the full House that can help restore the trust of Pennsylvanians," Josephs said.

Josephs was responding to a column riddled with factual errors from the right-wing, anti-consumer "think tank," the Commonwealth Foundation, which accused her of stalling reform. The author of the same column testified on behalf of the organization against campaign finance reform at a hearing Josephs chaired last summer. The column also referred to legislation banning the sine die, or "lame duck," session and accused Josephs of doing "absolutely nothing." However, Josephs noted, the committee did approve her legislation, which would ban lame-duck sessions.

The committee has approved legislation, among other bills, that would:

require General Assembly candidates and political committees to file a second campaign expense report prior to the election (H.B. 2065).

include political robocalls under the state's Do Not Call list (H.B. 295).

expand the open records law (Act 3 of 2008).

authorize a study of the state constitution (H.B. 1179).

end the legislative session before the general election in even-numbered years (H.B. 1652).

prohibit state investments in countries that sponsor terrorism and genocide (H.Bs. 1086, 1087, 1140).

change the date of Pennsylvania's presidential primary (H.B. 289, H.Rs. 581, 582 and 583).

prohibit the furlough of Commonwealth employees during budget delays (S.B. 1122).

Josephs noted that the committee also has held 16 public hearings across the state to review some of the legislation the committee ultimately approved, as well as other legislation pending before the committee.

"Committees and the committee process are important parts of the legislative process," Josephs said. "The committee -- made up of a smaller group of legislators who are experts on the subjects reviewed by the committee -- is where the legislation is initially discussed, debated and adjusted before it is sent to the full House for consideration."

The House State Government Committee reviews legislation on issues ranging from voting and elections to campaign finance reform, and oversees the State Employees' Retirement System, the state lottery commission, state land conveyances, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations and Women's commissions.

The committee's next meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 29 in Room 60 East Wing of the Capitol.

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