Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom of all states in getting bills passed. During the 2023-24 session, Governor Shapiro signed 217 bills into law, not including budget appropriation bills. A further breakdown reveals that the State House of Representatives passed 41% of the bills it received from the Senate whereas only 28% of the bill sent by the House were passed by the Senate. Comparing these numbers to previous years, the 2023-24 legislative session saw some of the fewest laws enacted with only 1999-00 and 2007-08 legislative sessions having less productivity according to a review by Spotlight PA.

 

One significant reason so few laws are passed according to Fair Districts PA is that most bills never even reach the first step of committee consideration. For that reason, I will be introducing legislation that would amend Senate Rule 14 by requiring that every bill and resolution that is referred to a standing committee receive a public hearing or be considered by that committee within 60 calendar days of its referral.

 

The General Assembly should constantly be looking for ways to make the Legislature more transparent. This bill will enable more legislation to be considered, whether it is voted on in a positive or negative way, instead of receiving no action and dying each legislative session.  This also opens the opportunity to receive more public input and the ability to make suggestive changes as it continues through the legislative process in a time appropriate fashion.