PRINTER'S NO. 229
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
247
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY LEACH, HUGHES AND TARTAGLIONE, JANUARY 27, 2017
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 27, 2017
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), entitled
"An act concerning elections, including general, municipal,
special and primary elections, the nomination of candidates,
primary and election expenses and election contests; creating
and defining membership of county boards of elections;
imposing duties upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth,
courts, county boards of elections, county commissioners;
imposing penalties for violation of the act, and codifying,
revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto; and
repealing certain acts and parts of acts relating to
elections," providing for disclosure of Federal income tax
returns by candidates for President and Vice President of the
United States.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known
as the Pennsylvania Election Code, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XIV-A
QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES
Section 1401-A. Disclosure of Federal income tax returns.
(a) Mandatory disclosure.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this act to the contrary, the name of a candidate
for the office of President or Vice President of the United
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States may not be printed on an official ballot in this
Commonwealth for a general election unless the candidate submits
the following to the Secretary of the Commonwealth no later than
50 days before the general election:
(1) A complete copy of the candidate's Federal income
tax return, as defined under section 6103(b)(1) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. ยง
6103(b)(1)), for at least the five most recent taxable years.
(2) A written consent, in the form prescribed by the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, for the public disclosure of
the Federal income tax returns under paragraph (1).
(b) Posting.--Subject to subsection (c), if the written
consent under subsection (a)(2) has been submitted, the
Secretary of the Commonwealth shall post the Federal income tax
returns under subsection (a)(1) on the publicly accessible
Internet website of the Department of State no later than seven
days after the Federal income tax returns have been submitted to
the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
(c) Redaction.--Prior to the disclosure of a Federal income
tax return under this section and following any necessary
consultation with other governmental authorities, the Secretary
of the Commonwealth shall redact information from the Federal
income tax return as appropriate.
(d) Vote of presidential elector.--Notwithstanding any other
law to the contrary, a presidential elector at the quadrennial
meeting under Article XV may not vote for a candidate for the
office of President or Vice President of the United States if
the candidate has failed to comply with the requirements under
this section.
(e) Rules and regulations.--The Department of State shall
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promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the
provisions of this section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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