PRINTER'S NO. 3173
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2340
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY FLICK, KHAN, HAMM, JOZWIAK, CABELL AND GILLEN,
MAY 28, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MAY 28, 2024
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the
2 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general structure and
3 powers, further providing for Chief Justice and president
4 judges.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. Section 325(a) and (b) of Title 42 of the
8 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended and the section
9 is amended by adding a subsection to read:
10 ยง 325. Chief Justice and president judges.
11 (a) [General rule] Supreme Court.--The Chief Justice of
12 Pennsylvania [and the president judges of all courts with seven
13 or less judges] shall be the judge longest in continuous service
14 on [their respective courts] the Supreme Court. In the event of
15 [his] the judge's resignation from this position the judge next
16 longest in continuous service shall be the Chief Justice of
17 Pennsylvania [or the president judge]. Should any two or more
18 judges of the [same court] Supreme Court assume office at the
19 same time, they shall cast lots forthwith for priority of
1 commission, and certify the results to the Governor who shall
2 issue their commissions accordingly.
3 [(b) Courts of eight or more judges.--The president judges
4 of all courts with eight or more judges shall be selected for
5 five-year terms by the members of their respective courts. In
6 the event of a tie vote for the office of president judge, the
7 Supreme Court shall appoint as president judge one of the judges
8 receiving the highest number of votes.]
9 (b.1) Other courts.--The president judges of all courts
10 shall be selected for three-year terms by the members of the
11 respective court. In the event of a tie vote, the Supreme Court
12 shall appoint as president judge one of the judges receiving the
13 highest number of votes.
14 * * *
15 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20240HB2340PN3173 - 2 -
Statutes/Laws affected: Printer's No. 3173: 42-325(a)