Senate News Update
From Senator Jane Earll
January 3, 2007

Senate Adopts Rules to Make Legislative Activities More Open to the Public

The Pennsylvania Senate on January 2, 2007 adopted the anticipated new rules governing how the body operates. Based on bipartisan input, they will begin to make the Senate's legislative activities more open to the public.

"I have been seeking rule changes for a number of years and am pleased to see them enacted," said State Senator Jane M. Earll (R-Erie).  She added, "The Senate will now implement significant and positive steps to improve both the quality of our deliberations as well as the timeliness of our communications with our constituents."

Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson) announced that under the new rules:

• Session times will be limited to between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• Amendments will be posted to the Internet before being offered on the Senate floor.
• The Senate will wait at least six hours before voting on an amended bill or a conference committee report.
• Roll call votes will be posted on the Internet as soon as possible after a vote, but always within 24 hours of a vote.
• Committee votes on bills will be posted on the Internet within 48 hours of the vote.
• The Senate's Legislative Journal – which includes the full text of all floor debates – will be posted on the Internet upon Senate approval of the Journal or within 45 days, whichever is earlier.
• An updated fiscal note will be prepared if a bill is amended after consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee, if the amendment has a fiscal impact.

"Government reform – of all three branches – will be a session-long focus for us," said Sen. Scarnati. "These changes are important, but they are definitely not the last step."

As always, if you have any questions on this or another state government matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office directly at (814) 453-2515.