Pennsylvania House of Representatives
General Information
Party control:	Democrat
Session start:	January 6, 2026
Session end:	November 30, 2026
Term length:	2 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Commission
Salary:	$110,015.54/year + per diem
Members
Total:	203
Democrats:	100
Republicans:	98
Other:	0
Vacancies:	5
Leadership
Speaker:	Joanna McClinton (D)
Maj. Leader:	Matthew Bradford (D)
Min. Leader:	Jesse Topper (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

ThePennsylvania House of Representatives is thelower chamber of thePennsylvania General Assembly. Alongside thePennsylvania State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Pennsylvania state government and works alongside thegovernor of Pennsylvania to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives meets in the state capitol building inHarrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Note: A pair of resignations on July 17, 2024, left Republicans with more seats than Democrats in the chamber. However, a rule adopted in July 2023 defined the majority party as “the political party that won the greater number of elections for the 203 seats in the House of Representatives in the general election preceding the term of service that began on the first day of December next after the general election.” Because of this rule, Democrats maintained their majority.^[1]

This page contains the following information on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

• Which partycontrols the chamber
• The chamber'scurrent membership
• Partisan control of the chamberover time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• Adistrict map
• Howredistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list ofcommittees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as of February 2026

Changes in party control after the 2022 elections

See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2022

On Nov. 8, 2022, Democrats won 102 seats to Republicans' 101. But three seats that Democrats won were guaranteed to become vacant at the start of the legislative session due to a death and two resignations to assume higher office, giving Republicans a functional 101-99 seat majority.Special elections for all three seats were scheduled for February 2023.

The chamber electedMark Rozzi (D) as speaker on Jan. 3, 2023. After being elected, Rozzi announced he would not caucus with Democrats and would be the state's "first independent speaker of the House."^[2] He was elected by a vote of 115-85, which included all Democrats and 16 Republicans. Rep.Carl Metzgar was the Republican nomination for speaker; he received 85 votes to Rozzi's 115.^[2][3]

Democrats won all threespecial elections on Feb. 7, 2023, returning them to a 102-101 majority. On Feb. 28, 2023, Rozzi stepped down as House speaker. Rozzi said he resigned because he had accomplished what he had planned to do during his tenure in the leadership position. He stated he wanted to make way forJoanna McClinton (D) to be elected the first female speaker.^[2] McClinton was elected speaker on Feb. 28, 2023, with support from all 102 Democrats and no Republicans.^[4]

On July 19, 2023,Sara Innamorato (D) resigned from office to run for Allegheny County Executive. Her resignation reverted the partisan control of the chamber to a 101-101 tie. The special election for Innamorato's seat was on Sept. 19, 2023. According to WESA, Innamorato's resignation was anticipated to have no practical effect on the chamber, which was scheduled to return from its summer recess on Sept. 26, 2023.^[5]Lindsay Powell (D) was elected to Innamorato's former seat in the special election.

Members

Leadership

The speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the body.^[6]

Leadership and members

• Speaker of the House:Joanna McClinton (D)
• Majority leader:Matthew Bradford (D)
• Minority leader:Jesse Topper (R)

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Pennsylvania legislators assume office on the first day of December after a general election.^[8]

Membership qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article II of thePennsylvania Constitution states:^[9]

Historical party control

Democrats won a 102-101 majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in2022, gaining control of the chamber for the first time since 2008. In2024, Democrats maintained a 102-101 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Pennsylvania House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Trifecta history

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Pennsylvania was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1993
• Republican trifecta: 1995-2002, 2011-2014
• Divided government: 1992, 1994, 2003-2010, 2015-2023

Elections

Elections by year

Pennsylvania state representatives servetwo-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Pennsylvania holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isMay 19, 2026. The filing deadline isMarch 10, 2026.

2024

See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasApril 23, 2024. The filing deadline wasFebruary 13, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Democrats won 102 seats and Republicans won 101 seats.

2022

See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was March 28, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Democrats won 102 seats and Republicans won 101 seats. One seat was won by a Democratic representative who passed away prior to the election.

2020

See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofPennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was February 18, 2020.

In the 2020 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 109-93 to 113-90.

2018

See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on May 15, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 6, 2018.

In the 2018 elections, the Republican majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was reduced from 120-79 to 110-93.

2016

See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on April 26, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 16, 2016. All203 seats in thePennsylvania House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 119-84 majority. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 121-82 majority.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2014 Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 111-91 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained eight seats in the election, giving them a 119-84 majority. Pennsylvania House of Representatives Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 91 84      Republican Party 111 119      Vacancy 1 0 Total 203 203 2012 See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on April 24, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was February 14, 2012. All203 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 110-91 majority with two vacancies. Democrats regained two vacant seats in the election, giving Republicans a 110-93 majority. Pennsylvania House of Representatives Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 91 93      Republican Party 110 110      Vacancy 2 0 Total 203 203 During the2012 election, the total value of contributions to the 410 House candidates was $33,351,949. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2012 Donors, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Donor Amount Pennsylvania Republican Party $2,958,140 House Republican Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $1,268,937 Pennsylvania Democratic Party $1,041,931 Pennsylvania State Education Association $839,259 Pennsylvania Association for Justice $729,300 Students First $597,175 Electrical Workers Local 98 $370,946 Pennsylvania Future Fund $310,775 Afscme Council 13 $229,100 Ppl Corp $226,914 The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election. 2012 Margin of Victory, Pennsylvania House of Representatives District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 39 Rick Saccone 0.4% 28,878 David Levdansky District 146 Mark Painter 0.7% 29,568 Thomas Quigley District 146 Mark Painter 0.7% 29,568 Thomas Quigley District 131 Justin Simmons 1.5% 28,173 Kevin Deely District 163 Nicholas Micozzie 1.7% 28,369 Sheamus Bonner District 157 Warren Kampf 2.2% 34,795 Paul Drucker District 156 Dan Truitt 2.7% 33,273 Bret Binder District 161 Joe Hackett 5.4% 34,109 Larry DeMarco District 10 Jaret Gibbons 5.5% 25,663 Michael See District 13 John Lawrence 6.5% 33,527 Eric Schott 2010 See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2010. All203 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 104-98 majority with one vacancy. Democrats lost 13 seats in the election, giving Republicans a 112-91 majority. Pennsylvania House of Representatives Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 104 91      Republican Party 98 112      Vacancy 1 - Total 203 203 During the2010 election, the total value of contributions to the 444 House candidates was $36,502,678. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2010 Donors, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Donor Amount House Democratic Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $1,573,572 Pennsylvania Democratic Party $1,495,172 House Republican Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $1,413,690 Pennsylvania Republican Party $1,162,537 Republican Party of Pennsylvania $1,050,084 Pennsylvania Education Association $650,835 Pennsylvania Association for Justice $581,025 Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association $427,000 Citizens to Elect Dwight Evans for State Representative $352,500 Laborers District Council $348,300 2008 See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on April 22, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. All203 seats were up for election. During the 2008 election, the total contributions to House candidates amounted to $44,969,581. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2008 Donors, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Donor Amount Pennsylvania Democratic Party $2,839,411 Pennsylvania Republican Party $1,884,029 House Republican Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $1,580,477 House Democratic Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $1,271,423 Pennsylvania Education Association $864,279 Midwest Region Laborers $657,850 Pennsylvania Association for Justice $542,132 Electrical Workers Local 98 $446,783 Edward G (Ed) Rendell Campaign Cmte $417,000 Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association $387,440 2006 See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on May 16, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. All203 seats were up for election. During the2006 election, the total value of contributions to the 531 House candidates was $50,730,125. The top 10 contributors were:[14] 2006 Donors, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Donor Amount House Republican Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $2,631,828 House Democratic Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $2,300,714 Pennsylvania Democratic Party $2,261,825 Pennsylvania Republican Party $1,381,453 Pennsylvania Education Association $677,619 Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters & Joiners $421,725 Laborers District Council of Philadelphia $407,100 Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association $388,085 Senate Republican Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $375,432 Electrical Workers Local 98 $330,700 2004 See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on April 27, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. All203 seats were up for election. During the2004 election, the total value of contributions to the 391 House candidates was $32,641,151. The top 10 contributors were:[15] 2004 Donors, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Donor Amount House Republican Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $2,382,831 Pennsylvania Republican Party $1,079,115 House Democratic Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $988,608 Pennsylvania Democratic Party $840,978 Pennsylvania Education Association $345,861 Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association $331,775 Electrical Workers Local 98 $270,370 Afscme Council 13 $172,579 Pennsylvania Association of Realtors $161,867 Pennsylvania Future Fund $159,250 2002 See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on May 21, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. All203 seats were up for election. During the2002 election, the total value of contributions to the 420 House candidates was $29,793,903. The top 10 contributors were:[16] 2002 Donors, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Donor Amount House Republican Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $1,892,821 Pennsylvania Democratic Party $1,022,430 House Democratic Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $975,761 Pennsylvania Republican Party $681,549 Warshawsky, Bruce J $370,739 David Millner Group $341,032 Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers $294,675 Pennsylvania State Education Association $270,563 Rendell for Governor $222,967 Cmte for a Better Tomorrow $182,500 2000 See also:Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on April 4, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. All203 seats were up for election. During the2000 election, the total value of contributions to the 395 House candidates was $24,838,142. The top 10 contributors were:[17] 2000 Donors, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Donor Amount House Republican Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $3,655,640 House Democratic Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania $1,568,617 Pennsylvania Republican Party $608,233 Pennsylvania State Education Association $313,656 Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers $265,925 Democratic Congressional Campaign Cmte $234,500 Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry $163,400 National Republican Congressional Cmte $160,000 Pennsylvanians for Effective Government-Peg $139,000 Afscme Council 13 $135,545

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in thePennsylvania General Assembly, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The presiding officer in the house where the vacancy happened must call for an election. There are no deadlines set in thestate constitution on when a special election can be held.^[18]

See sources:Pennsylvania Cons. Art. II, §2

District map

See also:Pennsylvania state legislative districts

The state of Pennsylvania has 203 state House districts. Each district elects one representative.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the statutory authority to draw congressional district boundaries is vested with thePennsylvania General Assembly. These lines are subject to gubernatorial veto.^[19]

State legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission. Established in 1968, the commission comprises five members:^[19]

1. The majority leader of thePennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
2. The minority leader of thePennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
3. The majority leader of thePennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
4. The minority leader of thePennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
5. The first four commissioners appoint a fifth member to serve as the commission's chair. If the commission is unable to reach an agreement, thePennsylvania Supreme Court must appoint a commission chair.^[19]

ThePennsylvania Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. Further, state legislative districts should "respect county, city, incorporated town, borough, township and ward boundaries." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.^[19]

2020

See also:Redistricting in Pennsylvania after the 2020 census

On February 4, 2022, the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission voted 4-1 to approve new state House and Senate maps.^[20] House Majority LeaderKerry Benninghoff (R) voted no, while Senate Majority LeaderKim Ward (R), state Rep.Joanna McClinton (D), state Sen.Jay Costa (D), and chairman Mark Nordenberg voted yes.^[20] These maps took effect for Pennsylvania's 2022 legislative elections.

District map after 2020 redistricting

Click here to view the map. This map took effect for Pennsylvania's 2022 legislative elections.

2010

See also:Redistricting in Pennsylvania after the 2010 census

Pennsylvania received its local census data on March 9, 2011. The state had a 3.4 percent growth rate from 2000-2010, which was below the national average of 9.7 percent. The five most populous cities in the state did not follow a trend: Philadelphia grew by 0.6 percent, Pittsburgh decreased by 8.6 percent, Allentown grew by 10.7 percent, Erie decreased by 1.9 percent, and Reading grew by 8.5 percent. The county with the largest rate of growth was Forest County with a 56 percent rate of growth.^[21]

On August 17, 2011, the Commission approved the census data and went to work on a preliminary map, which it passed on October 31, 2011, by a 3-2 vote. Final maps were approved on December 12, 2011, by a 4-1 vote. There was a 30-day window to file appeals, during which 11 were filed. The state Supreme Court overturned the maps on January 25, 2012.

The commission met on April 12, 2012, to vote in favor of a compromise map, which contained two Senate district splits, and 68 House district splits. On June 8, the commission approved the final plan, which went to the state Supreme Court for final approval.

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the House to the Senate and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated byBillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Pennsylvania by year

2025

See also:2025 Pennsylvania legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 7, 2025, and adjourn on December 31, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Pennsylvania legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2024, and adjourn on November 14, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Pennsylvania legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2023, and adjourn on December 13, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Pennsylvania legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2022, and adjourn on November 30, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Pennsylvania legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2021, and adjourn on December 31, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Pennsylvania legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 7, 2020, and adjourn on November 30, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. On March 16, 2020, thePennsylvania House of Representatives adopted temporary rules that would allow members to cast votes remotely.[22] 2019 See also:2019 Pennsylvania legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 1, 2019, through December 18, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Pennsylvania legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2018, through November 30, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions andState budget conflicts, 2017 In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2017, through December 31, 2017. Click [show] to read about the 2017 budget debate. On June 30, 2017, the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania General Assembly sent Gov.Tom Wolf (D) a $32 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began on July 1. The budget increased by 1.6 percent over the 2016-2017 budget, leaving a projected $1.5 billion shortfall from the previous year. Collectively, the state began the 2018 fiscal year with a $2 billion budget gap. The House approved the budget 173-27, while the Senate approved it 43-7. On July 6, the credit-rating agency S&P Global Ratings announced that it had placed Pennsylvania on what it called a "negative credit watch." The agency stated, "Pennsylvania has repeatedly had protracted budget negotiations that failed to result in structural alignment." A decreased credit rating would increase borrowing costs for the state.[23] On July 10, Wolf announced that he would allow the budget to become law without his signature and without a revenue plan in place. In a statement, he said, "In the coming days, it is my hope that the General Assembly will come together to pass a responsible solution to balance our books." In Pennsylvania, the governor has 10 days to sign or veto legislation after receiving it or it automatically becomes law. Wolf did not sign the 2016-2017 state budget either, which also went into effect without a revenue plan in place.[24][25] On July 27, the state Senate, with support from Gov.Tom Wolf (D), passed a revenue package that included a severance tax on gas and oil companies worth an estimated $100 million per year. A severance tax is a tax placed on the extraction of nonrenewable resources. Energy companies in the state opposed the severance tax, arguing that it would make the state less competitive and hurt consumers. The senate plan also proposed increases for utility bills and borrowing $1.3 billion against funds that the state receives from a 1998 legal settlement with tobacco companies. The legislation passed 26-24 with support from both Democrats and Republicans and was sent to the House.[26] On October 25, the legislature approved a gambling expansion bill that would legalize online casino and lottery games, authorize 10 new casino locations in the state, and allow casino-style gambling games in truck stops and airports. That bill would raise an estimated $200 million per year in license fees and taxes on higher gambling losses. A $1.5 billion borrowing plan and estimated tax increases of $140 million per year were approved that same day; patching up about $1.8 billion of the $2.3 billion budget deficit.[27] On October 31, Gov. Wolf signed the budget legislation.[28] Background Major proposals for revenue packages throughout the 2017 legislative session included borrowing money, expanding gambling and liquor sales in the state, and tax increases. Senate and House Republicans voiced support for temporary measures to borrow against state accounts, while Republicans in the House also advocated for delaying a vote on legislation that provides funding various universities in the state. Wolf advocated for tax increases on certain business practices and the natural gas industry. The Pennsylvania constitution states that spending “shall not exceed the actual and estimated revenues and surplus available.”[29][30][31] 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 5 through November 30. Major issues in 2016 Major issues during the 2016 legislative session included passing a state budget, public employee pension plan reform, and school funding.[32] 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 6 through December 31. Major issues in 2015 Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included a severance tax on shale gas, pension reforms, liquor privatization, and judicial reforms.[33] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 7 through November 12. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included public pension reform and liquor privatization.[34] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 2 to December 31. Major issues in 2013 Like many other states, Pennsylvania lawmakers had to work on the budget deficit. Other issues included economic development, public pension reform, liquor privatization, and child abuse.[35] In November 2013, the Pennsylvania state House and state Senate voted unanimously on a bill, which was signed by Gov.Tom Corbett (R), to change the state’s unemployment compensation law. The bill closed a loophole that allowed a state employee to retire from his job and begin collecting benefits, only to be hired back as a part-time employee while also collecting unemployment compensation after leaving a previous job. While the law closed a triple-dipping loophole, the changes did not prevent double-dipping, in which a state employee retires, begins collecting pension benefits, and returns to work a part-time position.[36] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 3 to November 30. 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 4 through November 30.[37] 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature convened its legislative session on January 5, and it remained in session to November 30.[38]

About legislative sessions in Pennsylvania

TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[39] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions,legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article II of the Pennsylvania Constitution establishes when thePennsylvania General Assembly, of which the House of Representatives is a part, is to meet. Section 4 of Article II states that the General Assembly is to convene its regular session on the first Tuesday of January each year.

Section 4 gives theGovernor of Pennsylvania the authority to convene special sessions of the General Assembly either when he judges a special session to be in the public interest, or when a majority of each legislative House requests a special session.

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget, andprocedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Pennsylvania are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Authority:Article IV, Section 15 of thePennsylvania Constitution.

Role in state budget

See also:Pennsylvania state budget and finances

Pennsylvaniaon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[41]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inAugust.
2. State agencies submit their requests to thegovernor inOctober.
3. Agency hearings are held betweenDecember and January.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inFebruary. In a governor's first term, the budget proposal is submitted inMarch.
5. The legislature adopts a budget byJune 30. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year beginsJuly 1.

Pennsylvania is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[41][42]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.^[41]

Committees

See also:List of committees in Pennsylvania state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has 27 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Pennsylvania Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XI of the Pennsylvania Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Pennsylvania

ThePennsylvania Constitution provides for one mechanism for amending the state's constitution—a legislative process. However, the state constitution does not mention a constitutional convention process, and the legislature has called constitutional conventions in the past. Pennsylvania requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

Initiative

See also:Initiated constitutional amendment

In Pennsylvania, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

According toArticle XI, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide.A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions for thePennsylvania State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 102 votes in thePennsylvania House of Representatives and 26 votes in thePennsylvania State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

When the Legislature finds that a "major emergency threatens or is about to threaten the Commonwealth," a constitutional amendment can be referred to the ballot with a two-thirds vote during one legislative session.

See also

Elections	Pennsylvania State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2026 Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2024 Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2018	Pennsylvania General Assembly Pennsylvania State Senate Governor of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2026 State legislative elections, 2025 State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Footnotes

	v • e State ofPennsylvania Harrisburg (capital)
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