HARRISBURG − Enero 2, 2024 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) and state Sen. Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) will be re-introducing a set of Senate resolutions when the Senate reconvenes next week that would update the Senate Rules to advance policy, ensure government transparency, encourage public participation in the legislative process, and hold senators accountable to the public.
The Senate Rules are the parliamentary procedures by which the Senate adheres to and the process by which the Senate creates public policy, considers issues and resolves disputes. The Senate Rules are adopted at the beginning of each two-year legislative session by a simple majority vote and will be voted on when the Senate reconvenes for the new legislative session on Enero 7, 2025.
“This is the third session in a row that Senator Lindsey Williams and I are introducing a set of Senate rules that are equitable and fair to all members of the Senate – not just those in the Majority party. Members of our caucus represent over 5.5 million Pennsylvania residents, and those voters deserve the same level of representation in Harrisburg that is afforded to residents living in Senate Republican districts,” Muth said. “It is my hope that the Majority agrees to adopt Senate Rules that prioritize fairness and transparency and that ensure every member of the Senate can represent their constituents throughout the legislative process.”
Last session, many of the proposed rules reforms were introduced as Senate Resolutions 5, 6, and 7 – the three resolutions were referred to the Senate Rules Committee by a party-line vote. The resolutions remained in the Rules Committee for two years without a hearing or a vote.
“Pennsylvanians expect a transparent and accountable legislature that actually works for them, and that starts with our Operating Rules,” Williams said. “The set of Rules Reforms Senator Muth and I are proposing challenge the status quo of concentrating power in the hands of a wealthy few and return that power to everyday people. Every Pennsylvanian deserves to have their voice heard and to have their elected officials be accountable to them.”
The rules reforms requested by Senator Muth and Senator Williams include measures that give members more advance notice of floor and committee proceedings; require votes on bills that have bipartisan support; and give all Committee chairs the same powers to call meetings and set voting agendas. Click here to read the cosponsor memo that includes a summary of all the proposed updates to the Senate Rules.
The Pennsylvania State Senate will reconvene at noon on Martes, Enero 7, 2025, for the 2025-26 legislative session. Watch session live at www.pasenate.com/session.
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