Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

PRIOR PASSAGE - NONE
                                                       PRINTER'S NO.   455
                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 499
                                               Session of
                                                 2025
     INTRODUCED BY PHILLIPS-HILL, HUTCHINSON AND STEFANO,
        MARCH 21, 2025
     REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 21, 2025
                               A JOINT RESOLUTION
 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth
    of Pennsylvania, prohibiting implementation of laws relating
    to unfunded education mandates.
    The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 hereby resolves as follows:
    Section 1.    The following amendment to the Constitution of
 Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with Article XI:
    That Article III be amended by adding a section to read:
 § 10.1.   Unfunded education mandates.
    (a)    To provide an efficient system of education, any mandate
 enacted by statute, regulation or executive order establishing a
 new education program shall provide the necessary funding for
 the implementation of the program.
    (b)    Any statute, regulation or executive order establishing
 a new education program or reauthorizing an existing education
 program which is not wholly funded by the Commonwealth shall not
 be implemented until the funds necessary for full implementation
 have been appropriated.
    Section 2.   The following procedure applies to the proposed
 constitutional amendment in this joint resolution:
        (1)   Upon the first passage by the General Assembly of
    the amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
    proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
    requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
    of Pennsylvania.
        (2)   Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of
    the amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
    proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
    requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
    of Pennsylvania. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
    submit the amendment to the qualified electors of this
    Commonwealth at the first general or municipal election which
    meets the requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the
    Constitution of Pennsylvania.
20250SB0499PN0455                  - 2 -