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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 29, 2019 12:34 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative P. Michael Sturla |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Creating Transparency in Harrisburg |
| Pennsylvanians deserve to know what their legislators are doing in Harrisburg. Input from the public and various policy experts is crucial when determining legislation that could have a potential impact on their lives and the lives of all Pennsylvanians. To ensure this measure becomes a reality, I will be introducing a resolution to amend the House rules to require all bills reported from any standing committee, other than the Appropriations or Rules committees, to have at least one public hearing. Additionally, this legislation would allow the majority and minority chairmen to invite three testifiers of their choosing. For bills of a more simple nature, such as bridge naming legislation, the majority and minority chairmen would have the option to provide a written waiver agreeing to forego a public hearing. This enhancement to the House rules is meant as just that; an improvement measure that does not take away any majority chairman’s ability to bring up or prevent the movement of a bill, but rather allows the minority voice to be heard when important legislation is being moved out of committee. My hope is that this legislation would not be necessary, but rather a common place practice for all committees. We have an obligation as lawmakers to ensure that the laws we pass are done so via a transparent and attentive process. Please help make that a reality by co-sponsoring this bill. |
Introduced as HR349