The Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium Act establishes an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit organization aimed at revitalizing local journalism and civic information in Pennsylvania, addressing the crisis caused by the decline of the local news industry. The act recognizes the importance of local journalism for government performance, civic engagement, and community trust, and it aims to create a framework that supports and invests in local journalism, particularly for underserved communities. The consortium will administer a competitive grant program to fund local journalism and civic information projects, with a focus on promoting editorial independence and ensuring public access and transparency.

The governance of the consortium will be overseen by a 15-member board composed of diverse representatives from journalism, civic engagement, and underserved communities, ensuring a balanced approach to decision-making. The board will be responsible for adopting bylaws, appointing an executive director, and overseeing grant applications and evaluations. The act also mandates the consortium to maintain public records, establish a long-term funding strategy, and conduct public meetings to gather community input. Overall, the bill aims to create a sustainable model for supporting local journalism and enhancing civic information access across Pennsylvania.