Bill > HB1320

This bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that modifies the procedures for removing civil officers. The amendment provides two key changes to how civil officers can be removed from office: First, it maintains the existing provision that all civil officers hold their offices conditionally and can be removed for misbehavior or infamous crimes, and that appointed officers (except judges) can be removed by their appointing authority. Second, it introduces a new subsection specifically addressing the removal of elected municipal officers, requiring that such removals can only occur "for cause" as defined by the General Assembly, with specific mentions of absenteeism and dereliction of duty as potential causes. The bill also clarifies that this new provision does not prevent other constitutional methods of disqualifying, impeaching, or removing municipal officers. The amendment would be implemented through a two-step legislative process, where the General Assembly must pass the amendment twice, with the Secretary of the Commonwealth then required to advertise and submit the proposed amendment to voters at the next eligible general or municipal election.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1320