Pennsylvania 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 8 R · 2 D cosponsors

HB 1444 — A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in local government, providing for removal of municipal officers.

Last action — PN 4051 Corrective Reprint, Printer's No. 4051

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

31 added · 41 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill HB 1444 has removed a section regarding attendance at public meetings and replaced it with a new section that focuses on the removal of municipal officers. This change allows the General Assembly to establish rules for removing elected officials from office, specifically for reasons such as absenteeism and neglect of duties. This matters because it provides a clearer legal framework for holding local elected officials accountable, ensuring that they meet their responsibilities to the public.

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2127 PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
1792 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of 2019 No.
1792 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
INTRODUCED BY WALSH, SIMMONS, WARNER, BERNSTINE, MILLARD, MALONEY, IRVIN, ZIMMERMAN, REESE, CIRESI, NELSON AND DOWLING, MAY 13, 2019 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MAY 13, 2019 A JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in local government, providing for attendance at public meetings.
1444 2019 INTRODUCED BY WALSH, SIMMONS, WARNER, BERNSTINE, MILLARD, MALONEY, IRVIN, ZIMMERMAN, REESE, CIRESI, NELSON AND DOWLING, MAY 13, 2019 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 12, 2019 A JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in local government, providing for attendance at public meetings REMOVAL OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby resolves as follows:
<-- The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby resolves as follows:
<-- (a) A member of the governing body of a unit of local government shall attend a minimum of fifty percent of all scheduled public meetings of the governing body in a calendar year to maintain eligibility to hold the position.
(a) A member of the governing body of a unit of local government shall attend a minimum of fifty percent of all scheduled public meetings of the governing body in a calendar year to maintain eligibility to hold the position.
§ 15.
REMOVAL OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS.
<-- THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY PROVIDE, BY UNIFORM GENERAL LAW OR BY CLASSIFICATION, FOR THE REMOVAL OF ELECTED OFFICERS OF A MUNICIPALITY.
ELECTED OFFICERS SHALL BE REMOVED ONLY FOR CAUSE AS DEFINED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
CAUSE SHALL INCLUDE ABSENTEEISM FROM MEETINGS AND DERELICTION OF DUTY.
THE AUTHORIZATION PROVIDED BY THIS SECTION SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE USE OF OTHER PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS CONSTITUTION FOR THE DISQUALIFICATION, IMPEACHMENT OR REMOVAL OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS.
(b) Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of this 20190HB1444PN2127 - 2 - proposed constitutional amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to comply with the advertising requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the required advertisements to two newspapers in every county in which such newspapers are published in sufficient time after passage of this proposed constitutional amendment.
(b) Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of this proposed constitutional amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to comply with the advertising requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the required advertisements to two newspapers in every county in which such newspapers are published in sufficient time after passage of this proposed constitutional amendment.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall submit this proposed constitutional amendment to the qualified electors of this Commonwealth at the first primary, general or municipal election which meets the requirements of and is in conformance with section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and which occurs at least three months after the proposed constitutional amendment is passed by the General Assembly.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall submit this proposed constitutional amendment to the qualified electors of this Commonwealth at the first 20190HB1444PN1792 - 2 - primary, general or municipal election which meets the requirements of and is in conformance with section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and which occurs at least three months after the proposed constitutional amendment is passed by the General Assembly.
20190HB1444PN2127 - 3 -
20190HB1444PN1792 - 3 -
View plain text versions (4)

Amendments

2 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. PN 4051 Corrective Reprint, Printer's No. 4051

  2. Referred to LOCAL GOVERNMENT

  3. Third consideration and final passage

  4. Re-reported as committed

  5. Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS

  6. PN 2259 Second consideration, with amendments

  7. Re-reported as committed

  8. Re-committed to RULES

  9. First consideration

  10. PN 2127 Reported as amended

  11. PN 1792 Referred to LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 13 co-sponsors · 239 not signed on · 10 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (13)

Not signed on (239)

239 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 239 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 195 Yea · 6 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 92100
Republican 54001
Democratic 49500
Total 195601
% of votes cast 97%3%0%0%
How each member voted (202)
Member Party Vote
GABLER — Yea
GILLESPIE — Yea
DIGIROLAMO — Yea
DOWLING — Yea
DUNBAR — Yea
EVERETT — Yea
GREGORY — Yea
HAHN — Yea
HELM — Yea
HENNESSEY — Yea
HERSHEY — Yea
HICKERNELL — Yea
JONES — Yea
JOZWIAK — Yea
KAUFER — Yea
KELLER, M.K. — Yea
KNOWLES — Yea
LEWIS — Yea
MARSHALL — Yea
MASSER — Yea
LONGIETTI — Yea
MCCARTER — Yea
MULLERY — Yea
PETRARCA — Yea
RAVENSTAHL — Yea
READSHAW — Yea
ROEBUCK — Yea
ROZZI — Yea
SAINATO — Yea
SIMS — Yea
SNYDER — Yea
STURLA — Yea
ULLMAN — Yea
WHEATLEY — Yea
WILLIAMS — Yea
YOUNGBLOOD — Yea
BARRAR — Yea
BOBACK — Yea
BROWN — Yea
COX — Yea
METCALFE — Yea
MILLARD — Yea
MIZGORSKI — Yea
MURT — Yea
NELSON — Yea
NESBIT — Yea
OBERLANDER — Yea
PEIFER — Yea
POLINCHOCK — Yea
PUSKARIC — Yea
PYLE — Yea
QUINN — Yea
REESE — Yea
RYAN — Yea
SANKEY — Yea
SAYLOR — Yea
SCHEMEL — Yea
SCHROEDER — Yea
SIMMONS — Yea
SONNEY — Yea
STEPHENS — Yea
THOMAS — Yea
TOBASH — Yea
TOEPEL — Yea
TOOHIL — Yea
WHEELAND — Yea
BOYLE — Yea
BULLOCK — Yea
CALTAGIRONE — Yea
CRUZ — Yea
DELISSIO — Yea
DELUCA — Yea
DERMODY — Yea
DONATUCCI — Yea
DRISCOLL — Yea
EVANS — Yea
FITZGERALD — Yea
GAINEY — Yea
GALLOWAY — Yea
GOODMAN — Yea
HARRELL — Yea
HARRIS — Yea
INNAMORATO — Yea
KINSEY — Yea
KIRKLAND — Yea
KORTZ — Yea
LEE — Yea
ZABEL — Yea
TURZAI — Yea
Dan Miller — Nay
Louis Schmitt — Yea
Seth Grove — Yea
Torren Ecker — Yea
Andre D. Carroll Democratic Yea
Anita Astorino Kulik Democratic Yea
Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic Yea
Brandon J. Markosek Democratic Yea
Bridget M. Kosierowski Democratic Yea
Carolyn T. Comitta Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Christopher M. Rabb Democratic Yea
Dan Frankel Democratic Yea
Daniel J. Deasy Democratic Yea
Danielle Friel Otten Democratic Yea
Danilo Burgos Democratic Yea
David M. Delloso Democratic Yea
Ed Neilson Democratic Yea
Eddie Day Pashinski Democratic Yea
Elizabeth Fiedler Democratic Yea
Frank Burns Democratic Yea
Greg Vitali Democratic Nay
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Yea
Jason Dawkins Democratic Yea
Jeanne McNeill Democratic Yea
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Joanna E. McClinton Democratic Yea
Joe Ciresi Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Nay
Joseph C. Hohenstein Democratic Yea
Kristine C. Howard Democratic Yea
Kyle J. Mullins Democratic Yea
Leanne Krueger Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Yea
Malcolm Kenyatta Democratic Nay
Marty Flynn Democratic Yea
Mary Jo Daley Democratic Yea
MaryLouise Isaacson Democratic Yea
Matthew D. Bradford Democratic Yea
Maureen E. Madden Democratic Yea
Melissa L. Shusterman Democratic Yea
Michael H. Schlossberg Democratic Yea
Morgan Cephas Democratic Nay
Nathan Davidson Democratic Nay
Patrick J. Harkins Democratic Yea
Patty Kim Democratic Yea
Perry S. Warren Democratic Yea
Peter Schweyer Democratic Yea
Robert E. Merski Democratic Yea
Robert F. Matzie Democratic Yea
Robert Freeman Democratic Yea
Ryan A. Bizzarro Democratic Yea
Scott Conklin Democratic Yea
Steve Samuelson Democratic Yea
Steven R. Malagari Democratic Yea
Tim Briggs Democratic Yea
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Aaron Bernstine Republican Not Voting
Barbara Gleim Republican Yea
Brad Roae Republican Yea
Brett R. Miller Republican Yea
Bryan Cutler Republican Yea
Bud Cook Republican Yea
Carl Walker Metzgar Republican Yea
Clint Owlett Republican Yea
Craig T. Staats Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Dan Moul Republican Yea
David H. Zimmerman Republican Yea
David M. Maloney Republican Yea
Dawn W. Keefer Republican Yea
Doyle Heffley Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Yea
Gary W. Day Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Jack Rader Republican Yea
James B. Struzzi Republican Yea
Jamie Walsh Republican Yea
Jason Ortitay Republican Yea
Jesse Topper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joe Emrick Republican Yea
John A. Lawrence Republican Yea
Jonathan Fritz Republican Yea
Joshua D. Kail Republican Yea
Kate A. Klunk Republican Yea
Kathy L. Rapp Republican Yea
Keith J. Greiner Republican Yea
Kerry A. Benninghoff Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Yea
Marci Mustello Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Martin T. Causer Republican Yea
Martina A. White Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Milou Mackenzie Republican Yea
Mindy Fee Republican Yea
Natalie Mihalek Republican Yea
Parke Wentling Republican Yea
R. Lee James Republican Yea
Rich Irvin Republican Yea
Rob W. Kauffman Republican Yea
Russ Diamond Republican Yea
Ryan Warner Republican Yea
Sheryl M. Delozier Republican Yea
Stephanie Borowicz Republican Yea
Steven C. Mentzer Republican Yea
Thomas L. Mehaffie Republican Yea
Timothy J. O'Neal Republican Yea
Tina Pickett Republican Yea
Valerie S. Gaydos Republican Yea
Zachary Mako Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed 191 Yea · 10 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 91200
Republican 54001
Democratic 46800
Total 1911001
% of votes cast 95%5%0%0%
How each member voted (202)
Member Party Vote
GABLER — Yea
GILLESPIE — Yea
GREGORY — Yea
HAHN — Yea
HELM — Yea
HENNESSEY — Yea
HERSHEY — Yea
HICKERNELL — Yea
JONES — Yea
JOZWIAK — Yea
KAUFER — Yea
KELLER, M.K. — Yea
KNOWLES — Yea
LEWIS — Yea
MARSHALL — Yea
MASSER — Yea
METCALFE — Yea
MILLARD — Yea
MIZGORSKI — Yea
MURT — Yea
NELSON — Yea
NESBIT — Yea
OBERLANDER — Yea
PEIFER — Yea
POLINCHOCK — Yea
PUSKARIC — Yea
PYLE — Yea
QUINN — Yea
REESE — Yea
RYAN — Yea
SANKEY — Yea
SAYLOR — Yea
SCHEMEL — Yea
SCHROEDER — Yea
SIMMONS — Yea
SONNEY — Yea
STEPHENS — Yea
THOMAS — Yea
TOBASH — Yea
TOEPEL — Yea
TOOHIL — Yea
WHEELAND — Yea
BOYLE — Yea
BULLOCK — Yea
CALTAGIRONE — Yea
CRUZ — Yea
DELISSIO — Yea
DELUCA — Yea
DERMODY — Yea
DONATUCCI — Yea
DRISCOLL — Yea
EVANS — Yea
FITZGERALD — Yea
GAINEY — Yea
GALLOWAY — Yea
GOODMAN — Yea
HARRELL — Yea
HARRIS — Yea
INNAMORATO — Yea
KINSEY — Yea
KIRKLAND — Yea
KORTZ — Yea
LEE — Yea
LONGIETTI — Yea
MCCARTER — Yea
MULLERY — Yea
PETRARCA — Yea
RAVENSTAHL — Yea
READSHAW — Yea
ROEBUCK — Yea
ROZZI — Yea
SAINATO — Yea
BARRAR — Yea
BOBACK — Yea
BROWN — Yea
COX — Yea
DIGIROLAMO — Yea
DOWLING — Yea
DUNBAR — Yea
EVERETT — Yea
SIMS — Yea
SNYDER — Yea
STURLA — Yea
ULLMAN — Yea
WHEATLEY — Yea
WILLIAMS — Yea
YOUNGBLOOD — Nay
ZABEL — Yea
TURZAI — Yea
Dan Miller — Nay
Louis Schmitt — Yea
Seth Grove — Yea
Torren Ecker — Yea
Andre D. Carroll Democratic Yea
Anita Astorino Kulik Democratic Yea
Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic Yea
Brandon J. Markosek Democratic Yea
Bridget M. Kosierowski Democratic Yea
Carolyn T. Comitta Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Christopher M. Rabb Democratic Yea
Dan Frankel Democratic Yea
Daniel J. Deasy Democratic Yea
Danielle Friel Otten Democratic Yea
Danilo Burgos Democratic Nay
David M. Delloso Democratic Nay
Ed Neilson Democratic Yea
Eddie Day Pashinski Democratic Yea
Elizabeth Fiedler Democratic Nay
Frank Burns Democratic Yea
Greg Vitali Democratic Nay
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Yea
Jason Dawkins Democratic Yea
Jeanne McNeill Democratic Yea
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Joanna E. McClinton Democratic Yea
Joe Ciresi Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Yea
Joseph C. Hohenstein Democratic Yea
Kristine C. Howard Democratic Yea
Kyle J. Mullins Democratic Yea
Leanne Krueger Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Yea
Malcolm Kenyatta Democratic Nay
Marty Flynn Democratic Yea
Mary Jo Daley Democratic Yea
MaryLouise Isaacson Democratic Yea
Matthew D. Bradford Democratic Yea
Maureen E. Madden Democratic Yea
Melissa L. Shusterman Democratic Yea
Michael H. Schlossberg Democratic Yea
Morgan Cephas Democratic Nay
Nathan Davidson Democratic Nay
Patrick J. Harkins Democratic Yea
Patty Kim Democratic Yea
Perry S. Warren Democratic Yea
Peter Schweyer Democratic Yea
Robert E. Merski Democratic Nay
Robert F. Matzie Democratic Yea
Robert Freeman Democratic Yea
Ryan A. Bizzarro Democratic Yea
Scott Conklin Democratic Yea
Steve Samuelson Democratic Yea
Steven R. Malagari Democratic Yea
Tim Briggs Democratic Yea
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Aaron Bernstine Republican Not Voting
Barbara Gleim Republican Yea
Brad Roae Republican Yea
Brett R. Miller Republican Yea
Bryan Cutler Republican Yea
Bud Cook Republican Yea
Carl Walker Metzgar Republican Yea
Clint Owlett Republican Yea
Craig T. Staats Republican Yea
Cris Dush Republican Yea
Dan Moul Republican Yea
David H. Zimmerman Republican Yea
David M. Maloney Republican Yea
Dawn W. Keefer Republican Yea
Doyle Heffley Republican Yea
Frank A. Farry Republican Yea
Gary W. Day Republican Yea
Greg Rothman Republican Yea
Jack Rader Republican Yea
James B. Struzzi Republican Yea
Jamie Walsh Republican Yea
Jason Ortitay Republican Yea
Jesse Topper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joe Emrick Republican Yea
John A. Lawrence Republican Yea
Jonathan Fritz Republican Yea
Joshua D. Kail Republican Yea
Kate A. Klunk Republican Yea
Kathy L. Rapp Republican Yea
Keith J. Greiner Republican Yea
Kerry A. Benninghoff Republican Yea
Lynda Schlegel Culver Republican Yea
Marci Mustello Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Martin T. Causer Republican Yea
Martina A. White Republican Yea
Michele Brooks Republican Yea
Milou Mackenzie Republican Yea
Mindy Fee Republican Yea
Natalie Mihalek Republican Yea
Parke Wentling Republican Yea
R. Lee James Republican Yea
Rich Irvin Republican Yea
Rob W. Kauffman Republican Yea
Russ Diamond Republican Yea
Ryan Warner Republican Yea
Sheryl M. Delozier Republican Yea
Stephanie Borowicz Republican Yea
Steven C. Mentzer Republican Yea
Thomas L. Mehaffie Republican Yea
Timothy J. O'Neal Republican Yea
Tina Pickett Republican Yea
Valerie S. Gaydos Republican Yea
Zachary Mako Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1444?
HB 1444 is sponsored by Jamie Walsh (Republican), Eric Davanzo (Republican), Simmons, Ryan Warner (Republican), Aaron Bernstine (Republican), Millard, David M. Maloney (Republican), Rich Irvin (Republican), David H. Zimmerman (Republican), Reese, Joe Ciresi (Democratic), Eric R. Nelson (Republican), Dowling, and Jared G. Solomon (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 1444?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 1444?
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