Bill > SB557

This bill amends Pennsylvania's rules of construction by adding a new subsection to existing law that limits how government agencies can interpret statutes with ambiguous language. Specifically, the bill clarifies that when statutory language is not explicit, agencies cannot use that ambiguity to expand their own authority or create new rulemaking powers. The bill prevents agencies from interpreting laws in an overly broad manner and prohibits judicial deference to agency interpretations of legal questions. This means that if a law's meaning is unclear, government departments, agencies, boards, or commissions cannot automatically assume they have the right to fill in the gaps or determine the law's scope. The new provisions will apply to judicial reviews of agency actions under Pennsylvania law, and will take effect 60 days after enactment. The bill aims to provide more clarity and restraint in how government entities interpret and apply statutory language, essentially ensuring that agencies do not unilaterally expand their power beyond what the legislature originally intended.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=557