House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

While making a law in Pennsylvania can be a scrupulous process, it is an extremely important task that should not be taken lightly. State laws influence our economy, education, health, and nearly every other aspect of our daily lives. However, there is a loophole that allows bills to be modified at the last minute, which we can and should close. 

  

When a bill is introduced in the House of Representatives, it must be referred to a committee where it is carefully examined, possibly amended, and ultimately reported out of committee. The bill is then considered on three separate days by the House: day one allows the members to inform themselves on the bill, day two allows for amendments to be offered, and day three allows for the full body to vote on the final passage of the bill. 

  

Occasionally, a committee (such as the Appropriations Committee) will amend a bill after the bill has been on second consideration. When this occurs, the bill returns to the House floor where it will automatically be on third consideration. This requires the members of the House to vote on the final passage of the bill without ample time to discuss the amended language with their constituents or have the ability to offer additional amendments. 

  

This process does not allow for clear balance throughout the democratic proceeding of creating a law. To ensure our state laws are created with checks and balances, I plan to introduce legislation to amend the General Operating Rules of the House of Representatives to require all bills amended in committee after second consideration to revert to second consideration upon the return of the bill to the House. This will not include bills on concurrence that are amended in the House Rules Committee. Please join me in this commonsense rule change.