PRINTER'S NO. 26
No. 25 Session of 1981
INTRODUCED BY GALLEN, JANUARY 12, 1981
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JANUARY 12, 1981
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth
2 of Pennsylvania, further providing for the time frame for the
3 creation of a Legislative Reapportionment Commission.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby resolves as follows:
6 Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of
7 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with
8 the provisions of Article XI thereof:
9 That subsections (a) and (b) of section 17 of Article II be
10 amended to read:
11 § 17. Legislative Reapportionment Commission.
12 (a) In each year following [that in which] the year of the
13 Federal decennial census [is officially reported as required by
14 Federal law], a Legislative Reapportionment Commission shall be
15 constituted for the purpose of reapportioning the Commonwealth.
16 The commission shall act by a majority of its entire membership.
17 (b) The commission shall consist of five members: four of
18 whom shall be the majority and minority leaders of both the
1 Senate and the House of Representatives, or deputies appointed
2 by each of them, and a chairman selected as hereinafter
3 provided. No later than [the fourth Monday in January of the
4 year following the year in which the Federal decennial census is
5 officially reported] 60 days following the official reporting of
6 the Federal decennial census as required by Federal law, the
7 four members shall be certified by the President pro tempore of
8 the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to
9 the elections officer of the Commonwealth who under law shall
10 have supervision over elections.
11 The four members within 45 days after their certification
12 shall select the fifth member, who shall serve as chairman of
13 the commission, and shall immediately certify his name to such
14 elections officer. The chairman shall be a citizen of the
15 Commonwealth other than a local, State or Federal official
16 holding an office to which compensation is attached.
17 If the four members fail to select the fifth member within
18 the time prescribed, a majority of the entire membership of the
19 Supreme Court within 30 days thereafter shall appoint the
20 chairman as aforesaid and certify his appointment to such
21 elections officer.
22 Any vacancy in the commission shall be filled within 15 days
23 in the same manner in which such position was originally filled.
24 * * *
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