Bill > HB481

This bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would change the process for proposing and adopting constitutional amendments. Currently, amendments require a majority vote in the General Assembly to be proposed, but this bill would increase the threshold to at least two-thirds of members elected to each legislative house. The bill also introduces a new provision for emergency amendments that can be proposed during major emergencies threatening the Commonwealth's safety or welfare. Under this new emergency amendment process, if at least two-thirds of each legislative house agree, the proposed amendment can be quickly published and submitted to voters with just one month's notice (compared to the standard three-month requirement). In both the standard and emergency amendment processes, the amendment must be approved by a majority of voters to become part of the Constitution, and multiple amendments must be voted on separately. Additionally, the bill maintains the existing restriction that no amendment can be submitted more frequently than once every five years. The Secretary of the Commonwealth would be responsible for publishing the proposed amendments in newspapers across the state and managing the submission of amendments to voters.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=481