PRINTER'S NO. 960
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
79
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY GROVE, MARCH 17, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MARCH 17, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Providing the State Government Committee with enhanced
legislative oversight powers as authorized under House Rules
45 and 51 to properly execute its constitutional duties.
WHEREAS, Legislative power, including legislative oversight,
is enshrined in the Constitution of the United States to provide
checks and balances within our constitutional republic; and
WHEREAS, Section 1 of Article II of the Constitution of
Pennsylvania vests legislative power in the General Assembly;
and
WHEREAS, Under House Rule 45, to assist the House of
Representatives in exercising legislative power, the State
Government Committee is required to have "continuous
watchfulness of the execution by the administrative agencies
concerned of any laws" under its jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, House Rule 45 mandates that the State
Government Committee "study all pertinent reports and data
submitted" to the House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, Under House Rule 51, upon a resolution introduced
and approved by majority vote of the House of Representatives,
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the State Government Committee may take any of the following
actions:
(1) Send for persons and papers and subpoena witnesses,
documents and other materials within the State Government
Committee's jurisdiction under the hand and seal of the chair
of the State Government Committee.
(2) Prepare and file pleadings and other legal documents
as necessary to implement the State Government Committee's
investigatory powers under House Rule 51;
and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that the State Government Committee
utilize its legislative powers to oversee and investigate
matters within its jurisdiction; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives provide the State
Government Committee with enhanced legislative oversight powers
as authorized under House Rules 45 and 51 to properly execute
its constitutional duties; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the chair of the State Government Committee,
on behalf of the State Government Committee and its
subcommittees, be authorized to take any of the following
actions:
(1) Send for persons and papers and subpoena witnesses,
documents and other materials within the State Government
Committee's jurisdiction under the hand and seal of the chair
and approved by the Speaker of the House of Representative.
(2) Prepare and file pleadings and other legal documents
necessary to implement the State Government Committee's
investigatory powers under House Rule 51;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Sergeant-at-Arms or other person
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designated by the chair of the State Government Committee serve
the process of the State Government Committee and execute the
orders of the chair or the State Government Committee; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the expenses be paid by the Chief Clerk of the
House of Representatives from appropriation accounts under the
Chief Clerk's exclusive control and jurisdiction, upon a written
request approved by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives or the
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
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