PRINTER'S NO. 589
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.77
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY STAMBAUGH, KAUFFMAN, HAMM, COOPER, BOROWICZ,
GROVE, CUTLER, SHAFFER AND GILLEN, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study and issue a report reviewing the possibility
of transitioning the General Assembly to part-time status.
WHEREAS, In 1967, the Constitution of Pennsylvania was
amended to require that the General Assembly "be a continuing
body during the term for which its Representatives are elected,"
leading to today's full-time legislature; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is 1 of 10 states with a full-time
legislature; and
WHEREAS, Part-time legislatures are common even among states
of similar size to this Commonwealth, with 9 of the 15 most
populous states maintaining a part-time legislature; and
WHEREAS, With 253 members, Pennsylvania is ranked as the
second largest state legislature in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Legislation reducing the size of the General
Assembly has been introduced in recent sessions, including in
the 2015-2016 session where House Bill 153 received bicameral
and bipartisan support; and
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18 WHEREAS, A formal study on this matter would be beneficial
for lawmakers as they consider and deliberate this topic;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and
issue a report reviewing the possibility of transitioning the
General Assembly to part-time status; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include:
(1) A comprehensive review of the other 49 state
legislatures, including:
(i) Full-time or part-time status.
(ii) Session length.
(iii) Composition size.
(iv) Number of people represented by each
legislator.
(v) A legislator's salary.
(vi) Instances of political corruption.
(vii) Costs incurred by legislatures, including
staff, on an overall and per capita basis.
(2) A comprehensive history of the General Assembly's
full-time and part-time status.
(3) A comprehensive explanation of the amendatory
process for the Constitution of Pennsylvania.
(4) A list of topics that should be considered prior to
proceeding with legislation affecting the General Assembly's
full-time or part-time status.
(5) Estimates of the potential costs savings to the
Commonwealth of a variety of approaches to legislative
reform, including multiple models of part-time status;
and be it further
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30 RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
use other studies and existing resources that may assist in
completing the study; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
prepare a report of its findings and recommendations from the
study and submit the report to all members of the General
Assembly not later than 18 months after the adoption of this
resolution.
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