PRINTER'S NO. 2356
No. 1938 Session of 1993
INTRODUCED BY SCHEETZ, FAIRCHILD, DENT, ARMSTRONG, NICKOL, FLICK, PLATTS, BUNT, SAURMAN, TULLI, HANNA, HERMAN, LYNCH, PHILLIPS, FICHTER, HECKLER, TRELLO, MASLAND, D. W. SNYDER, HARLEY, LEE, EGOLF, KREBS, GODSHALL, LEH, ZUG, CARONE, LAWLESS, PETTIT, HUTCHINSON, STEIL, HENNESSEY, WAUGH, TRUE, ROHRER, LAUB, BAKER, RUBLEY AND TIGUE, JUNE 23, 1993
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 23, 1993
AN ACT 1 Providing for a constitutional convention with limited powers; 2 providing for a referendum on the question; providing for the 3 selection, nomination and election of delegates; defining the 4 powers and duties of the convention; providing for its 5 operation; conferring powers and imposing duties on the 6 Governor, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, officers of the 7 General Assembly and county election boards; providing for a 8 referendum on the convention's report; and making an 9 appropriation. 10 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 11 hereby enacts as follows: 12 Section 1. Referendum. 13 At the primary election in May 1994, the following question 14 shall be submitted to the electorate of the Commonwealth to 15 determine its will regarding a constitutional convention with 16 limited powers: 17 Shall a constitutional convention be called in accordance 18 with and subject to limitations and requirements 19 contained in Act No. of the Session of the General
1 Assembly, to prepare, for submission to the electorate, 2 proposals for the revision of Articles II, III and V as 3 provided in section 7(b) of Act No. of the Session 4 of the General Assembly? 5 The county board of elections in each county shall print in 6 bound form separate official ballots in sufficient numbers to 7 furnish to the election officers in each election district of 8 the county, one ballot to be supplied to each voter at the 9 primary election and also specimen ballots equal in number to 10 one-fifth of the official ballots. In districts where voting 11 machines are used, the question may appear on the face of the 12 machine where the machine is properly equipped for such purpose; 13 otherwise, a separate printed ballot shall be used. The results 14 of such election shall be tabulated by the proper election 15 officers of each county and duly certified to the Secretary of 16 the Commonwealth. 17 Section 2. Convention; membership; qualifications; vacancies. 18 (a) Convention.--If a majority of the electors voting upon 19 the question favor the holding of a constitutional convention 20 with limited powers, a convention shall be called by the 21 Governor. It shall consist of 163 members. Three district 22 delegates shall be elected from each senatorial district, all as 23 hereinafter provided. Each elector in each such district may 24 vote for not more than two candidates for the office of 25 delegate. The three candidates receiving the highest number of 26 votes shall be elected to the office of delegate. In addition, 27 the Lieutenant Governor, the President pro tempore of the 28 Senate, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Majority Whip of 29 the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Whip 30 of the Senate, the Minority Caucus Chairman of the Senate, the 19930H1938B2356 - 2 -
1 Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of 2 the House of Representatives, the Majority Whip of the House of 3 Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of 4 Representatives, the Minority Whip of the House of 5 Representatives and the Minority Caucus Chairman of the House of 6 Representatives shall be members ex officio of the convention 7 and shall have the powers of elected delegates. 8 (b) Delegates.--Delegates shall be 21 years of age or older 9 and shall have been citizens and residents of this Commonwealth 10 for at least four years. Delegates shall have resided in and 11 been registered electors of their respective senatorial 12 districts one year next before their election, and shall reside 13 in their respective senatorial districts during their terms of 14 service. 15 (c) Vacancies.--In case of a vacancy in the office of 16 delegate occurring after the municipal election, if the member 17 is an ex officio member, the vacancy shall be filled by the 18 person assuming such office; if the member was nominated in 19 accordance with section 3(a), the remaining delegates of that 20 political party shall elect a successor meeting the 21 qualifications prescribed in subsection (b), and if the member 22 was nominated in accordance with section 3(b), all the remaining 23 delegates shall elect a successor meeting the qualifications 24 prescribed in subsection (b). 25 Section 3. Nomination of delegates; withdrawals. 26 (a) General rule.--The county committee or committees of 27 each political party in each senatorial district shall 28 collectively nominate two candidates for the office of delegates 29 in accordance with party rules and the names of the nominees 30 shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth who 19930H1938B2356 - 3 -
1 shall certify the names of the nominees to the county board of 2 elections as provided by law not later than 60 days preceding 3 the general election in 1994. 4 (b) Petition.--Subject to the limitations upon the number in 5 this act applicable to political parties, candidates may also be 6 nominated by political bodies by petition in the form prescribed 7 by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and shall be signed by at 8 least 500 qualified electors of the senatorial district. 9 (c) Filing of petitions.--Such petitions shall be filed in 10 the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth not later than 11 September 15, 1994. A filing fee of $25 shall be paid by each 12 candidate to the Secretary of the Commonwealth by certified 13 check or money order. 14 (1) Any elector may sign not more than two nomination 15 petitions for delegate to represent his district. Every 16 signer of a nomination petition shall state his occupation 17 and residence, giving city, borough or township, with street 18 and number, if any, and that he is a qualified elector of the 19 district named, and shall add the date of signing, expressed 20 in words or numbers. No nomination petition shall be 21 circulated prior to 20 days before the last day on which said 22 petition may be filed, and no signature shall be counted 23 unless it bears date within 20 days of the last day of filing 24 the same. 25 (2) Nomination petitions may be on one or more sheets 26 and different sheets must be used for signers resident in 27 different counties. If more than one sheet is used, they 28 shall be bound together when offered for filing if they are 29 intended to constitute one petition, and each sheet shall be 30 numbered consecutively at the foot of each page beginning 19930H1938B2356 - 4 -
1 with number one. 2 (3) Each sheet shall have appended thereto the affidavit 3 of the person who circulated it setting forth: 4 (i) that such person is a qualified elector of the 5 senatorial district named in the petition; 6 (ii) his or her residence giving city, borough or 7 township, with street and number, if any; 8 (iii) that the signers thereto signed with 9 foreknowledge of the contents of the petition; 10 (iv) that their respective residences are correctly 11 stated therein; 12 (v) that each signer resides in the district named 13 in the affidavit; 14 (vi) that each signed on the date set opposite his 15 name; and 16 (vii) that to the best of affiant's knowledge and 17 belief the signers are qualified electors of the 18 district. 19 (d) Affidavits.--Each candidate for delegate shall file with 20 the Secretary of the Commonwealth an affidavit stating: 21 (1) his residence with street and number, if any, and 22 his post office address; 23 (2) that he is eligible for the office of delegate to 24 the constitutional convention; 25 (3) that, if elected, he will faithfully observe the 26 limitations and requirements imposed upon the convention by 27 this act; and 28 (4) that he has been a citizen and resident of this 29 Commonwealth for at least four years and has been a 30 registered elector in the district which he seeks to 19930H1938B2356 - 5 -
1 represent for at least one year. 2 (e) Withdrawal.--Any candidate for election as a delegate to 3 the convention may withdraw his name as a candidate by a request 4 in writing, signed by him and acknowledged before an officer 5 empowered to administer oaths, filed in the office of the 6 Secretary of the Commonwealth not later than 5 p.m. on the fifth 7 day next succeeding the last day for filing nomination 8 petitions. In the event of the death or withdrawal of a 9 candidate occurring prior to the time prescribed by this 10 subsection, substitute nominations shall be made in accordance 11 with the provisions of this section. 12 Section 4. Election of delegates. 13 Elections for delegates to the limited constitutional 14 convention, if approved by the electorate, shall be held at the 15 general election in the year 1994. The Secretary of the 16 Commonwealth shall forward to the county board of elections of 17 each county the names of the candidates for delegate to the 18 constitutional convention. Each elector voting at the general 19 election shall be entitled to vote for two candidates for 20 delegate from his district. The three candidates receiving the 21 highest number of votes in each district shall be elected 22 delegates of that district. The county board of elections shall, 23 on or before November 17, make to the Secretary of the 24 Commonwealth the proper certification of returns of votes cast 25 for the candidates for election for the office of delegate to 26 the constitutional convention. The Secretary of the Commonwealth 27 shall, not later than November 24, certify to the Governor the 28 names of the delegates elected to the constitutional convention. 29 In the case of a tie vote the election shall be determined in 30 accordance with the provisions of section 1418 of the act of 19930H1938B2356 - 6 -
1 June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania 2 Election Code. 3 Section 5. Preparatory committee; appropriation. 4 (a) Establishment.--The Lieutenant Governor, the President 5 pro tempore of the Senate, the Majority Leader of the Senate, 6 the Majority Whip of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the 7 Senate, the Minority Whip of the Senate, the Minority Caucus 8 Chairman of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of 9 Representatives, the Majority Leader of the House of 10 Representatives, the Majority Whip of the House of 11 Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of 12 Representatives, the Minority Whip of the House of 13 Representatives and the Minority Caucus Chairman of the House of 14 Representatives shall constitute a preparatory committee to make 15 arrangements for the convention. 16 (b) Authority.--The committee shall have authority 17 immediately following an affirmative vote by the electorate on 18 the question of holding a constitutional convention to lease or 19 otherwise obtain suitable meeting and office space, to purchase 20 or lease office supplies, equipment, books and other 21 publications and other materials necessary for the work of the 22 convention and to hire or engage such secretaries, technical 23 assistants, printers and other employees or consultants as may 24 be deemed necessary for the preparatory work of the convention. 25 The committee shall initiate any studies, inquiries, surveys or 26 analyses it may deem relevant through its own personnel or in 27 cooperation with any public or private agencies, including 28 institutes, universities, foundations or research organizations. 29 In so doing, the committee may hold public or private hearings. 30 It may issue subpoenas under the hand and seal of its chairman 19930H1938B2356 - 7 -
1 commanding any person to appear before it and to answer 2 questions touching matters properly being inquired into by the 3 committee and to produce such books, papers, records and 4 documents as the committee deems necessary. Such subpoenas may 5 be served upon any person and shall have the force and effect of 6 subpoenas issued out of the courts of this Commonwealth. Any 7 person who willfully neglects or refuses to testify before the 8 committee or to produce any books, papers, records or documents 9 shall be subject to the penalties provided by the laws of this 10 Commonwealth in such case. Each member of the committee shall 11 have power to administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses 12 appearing before the committee. The committee may request and 13 shall receive from any department, division, board, bureau, 14 commission or agency of the Commonwealth or any political 15 subdivision thereof, such facilities, assistance and data as it 16 deems necessary or desirable to carry out properly its powers 17 and duties. The committee is hereby authorized and empowered to 18 make and sign any agreements and to do and perform any acts that 19 may be necessary, desirable or proper to carry out the 20 provisions of this act. The committee shall also prepare budgets 21 for the holding of the constitutional convention. Such 22 recommended budgets shall be submitted to the General Assembly 23 in sufficient time for the General Assembly to pass the 24 necessary appropriation acts. The members of the committee shall 25 receive no compensation for their service but shall be allowed 26 their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance 27 of their duties. The authority of the preparatory committee 28 shall expire on December 1, 1994, at 12 noon, except to sign 29 documents necessary to obtain payments from the State Treasury 30 for any commitments made under the authority of this section 19930H1938B2356 - 8 -
1 prior to December 1, 1994, and to submit any report to the 2 constitutional convention. The sum of $250,000 is hereby 3 appropriated to the preparatory committee for the purposes set 4 forth in this section. 5 Section 6. Organization of convention. 6 (a) Convening.--The convention shall convene in the Hall of 7 the House of Representatives at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, 8 Pennsylvania, on December 1, 1994, at 12 noon. The 9 constitutional convention shall be called to order by the 10 Governor. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall certify the 11 returns of the elections for delegates to the constitutional 12 convention and issue certificates of election to those elected. 13 The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania or his 14 appointee shall then administer the oath of office in the 15 following form: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will 16 support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States 17 and the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and that I will 18 discharge the duties of my office with fidelity." 19 (b) Procedure.--The convention shall then organize by 20 electing from among its delegates a president, secretary and 21 such other officers as shall be necessary for the transaction of 22 its business. No member of the General Assembly shall be an 23 officer of the convention. It shall determine the rules of its 24 own proceedings and shall be the final judge of the 25 qualifications of its own delegates. It shall also determine 26 rules for the conduct of its delegates and provide for the 27 censure, suspension or removal of a delegate, if necessary. 28 (c) Privilege.--Delegates to the constitutional convention 29 shall, in all cases, except treason, felony, violation of their 30 oath of office and breach or surety of the peace, be privileged 19930H1938B2356 - 9 -
1 from arrest during their attendance at the session of the 2 convention and in going to and returning from the same; and for 3 any speech or debate in the convention they shall not be 4 questioned in any other place. 5 (d) Authority.--In addition to any powers provided in this 6 section, the convention shall have all of the powers given to 7 the preparatory committee in section 5. 8 (e) Adjournment.--The convention shall also have the power 9 to adjourn from time to time and to meet at such appropriate 10 places in the City of Harrisburg as it shall determine. 11 (f) Sine die.--It shall conclude its session sine die not 12 later than February 28, 1995. 13 Section 7. Substantive powers of convention; limitations; 14 mandatory duties of convention. 15 (a) General rule.--Except as hereinafter provided in 16 subsection (b), the constitutional convention shall have the 17 power by a vote of a majority of the 163 members to make 18 recommendations to the electorate on the following subjects 19 only: 20 (1) All of Articles II, III and V of the Constitution of 21 Pennsylvania. 22 (2) Any amendment proposed but not approved at the April 23 1994 primary. 24 (b) Exclusion.--The convention shall not consider or include 25 in its recommendations any proposal not germane to Articles II, 26 III and V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. 27 (c) Format.--In dealing with the subject matter as 28 prescribed by this section, the convention may recommend the 29 transfer to another article of any provision contained in those 30 articles, or it may recommend its modification, deletion, 19930H1938B2356 - 10 -
1 repeal, the substitution of an entirely new provision or its 2 continuation without change. 3 (d) Numbering.--The recommendations of the convention on any 4 of the articles shall not be numbered. If approved by the 5 electors, these articles shall be numbered by the Governor as 6 provided by law. 7 Section 8. Manner of submitting proposals to electorate. 8 (a) General rule.--The recommendations of the constitutional 9 convention shall be submitted to the electorate separately as 10 determined by the convention. The replacements may be in any 11 number of sections which the convention deems suitable. The 12 convention shall also frame the ballot questions which shall 13 bring before the electorate the recommendations of the 14 convention. There shall be no less than one separate question 15 for each of the articles to be recommended by the convention and 16 another question for the amendment on legislative apportionment. 17 (b) Certification.--The changes proposed together with the 18 questions framed by the convention, shall be certified by the 19 president and secretary of the convention to the Secretary of 20 the Commonwealth not later than March 7, 1995. The Secretary of 21 the Commonwealth shall advertise the proposals of the convention 22 in at least two newspapers of general circulation, if there are 23 such, in every county of this Commonwealth once during the first 24 week in April 1994. He shall also publish the Constitution of 25 Pennsylvania showing the changes proposed by the convention in 26 convenient form and send a copy thereof to each elector 27 requesting it, and ten copies thereof through the county board 28 of elections to each polling place for the use of the voters 29 during the election. 30 Section 9. Submission of proposals to electorate; proclamation 19930H1938B2356 - 11 -
1 by Governor of results. 2 The recommendations of the constitutional convention shall be 3 submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection on a 4 separate ballot at the primary held in May 1994. In districts 5 where voting machines are used, the question may appear on the 6 face of the machine where the machine is properly equipped for 7 such purpose; otherwise a separate printed ballot shall be used. 8 A majority vote of the electors voting thereon shall be 9 necessary for the adoption of any of the recommendations of the 10 convention. If adopted, any recommendation shall become 11 effective as provided therein or by the schedule attached 12 thereto. The Governor, upon receipt from the Secretary of the 13 Commonwealth of a certificate of the results of the election, 14 shall immediately make proclamation thereof. 15 Section 10. Expenses of members of convention. 16 Except for members of the General Assembly, officers and 17 employees of the Commonwealth, the members of the constitutional 18 convention shall each receive the total sum of $5,000 for 19 expenses in four equal installments, three of which shall be 20 payable on December 15, 1994, and January 15 and February 15, 21 1995, and the fourth on the day when the convention adjourns 22 finally. In addition, the members of the convention shall 23 receive an allowance for traveling expenses of 25¢ per circular 24 mile per week, computed on the same basis as traveling expenses 25 for State Senators, payable monthly. The members of the General 26 Assembly, officers and employees of the Commonwealth shall be 27 reimbursed only for expenses actually incurred in attendance as 28 delegates, unless the same are otherwise paid by the 29 Commonwealth. 30 Section 11. Registration of lobbyists. 19930H1938B2356 - 12 -
1 (a) General rule.--Any natural person who is employed or 2 engaged for compensation by any other person or any partnership, 3 committee, association, corporation or any other organization, 4 to advocate passage or defeat of proposals of the constitutional 5 convention or of any of its delegates shall, before beginning 6 such activities, submit to the secretary of the convention a 7 registration statement made under oath or affirmation before an 8 officer authorized by law to administer oaths setting forth the 9 name and business address of the lobbyist, the name and address 10 of the person, partnership, committee, association, corporation 11 or other organization by whom he is employed or engaged, the 12 name and address of the person, partnership, committee, 13 association, corporation or other organization in whose interest 14 he will advocate the passage or defeat of proposals of the 15 convention and the duration of his employment. Whenever any of 16 the facts required herein change, the lobbyist shall file a 17 revised statement. 18 (b) Penalty.--Any person violating any of the provisions of 19 this section commits a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, 20 be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $500 or to 21 imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. 22 Section 12. Conventions open to public. 23 Sessions of the convention as a whole shall be open to the 24 public. 25 Section 13. Effective date. 26 This act shall take effect immediately. F8L83JLW/19930H1938B2356 - 13 -