Pennsylvania 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 9 D · 6 R cosponsors

HB 1945 — An Act amending Title 65 (Public Officers) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in ethics standards and financial disclosure, further providing for definitions, providing for gift ban and for gift ban exceptions and further providing for statement of financial interests.

Last action — Laid on the table

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 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 “In Committee” 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment.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

137 added · 164 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to HB 1945 clarify the definitions and thresholds for gifts and hospitality that public officials can accept. Specifically, the language was streamlined to focus on "a gift" rather than "gifts," which helps clarify that the $50 and $500 limits apply individually. Additionally, the addition of the word "aggregate" emphasizes that the total value is considered over all gifts received from one person in a year. This matters because it strengthens ethical standards by clearly defining what is acceptable and ensuring transparency in public service.

→
Previous
Latest
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
2709 PRINTER'S NO.
2709 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
2914 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
MILLER, SAYLOR, HENNESSEY AND WEBSTER, OCTOBER 18, 2019 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 19, 2019 AN ACT AmeConsolidated Statutes, in ethics standards and financial disclosure, further providing for definitions, providing for gift ban and for gift ban exceptions and further providing for statement of financial interests.
MILLER, SAYLOR AND HENNESSEY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER 18, 2019 AN ACT Amending Title 65 (Public Officers) of the Pennsylvania disclosure, further providing for definitions, providing for gift ban and for gift ban exceptions and further providing for statement of financial interests.
(1) A gift GIFTS, other than a gift GIFTS of cash, <-- having either a AN AGGREGATE fair market value or aggregate <-- actual cost greater than $50 from any one person in a calendar year.
(1) A gift, other than a gift of cash, having either a fair market value or aggregate actual cost greater than $50 from any one person in a calendar year.
(2) Hospitality, transportation or lodging having either a AN AGGREGATE fair market value or aggregate actual cost <-- greater than $500 from any one person in a calendar year.
(2) Hospitality, transportation or lodging having either a fair market value or aggregate actual cost greater than $500 from any one person in a calendar year.
(i) A parent, sibling, spouse, child, stepchild, stepparent, stepsibling, grandparent, grandchild, parent- 20190HB1945PN2914 - 2 - in-law, sibling-in-law or other family member or friend when the circumstances make it clear that the motivation for the gift or hospitality, transportation or lodging was a personal or family relationship.
(i) A parent, sibling, spouse, child, stepchild, stepparent, stepsibling, grandparent, grandchild, parent- in-law, sibling-in-law or other family member or friend 20190HB1945PN2709 - 2 - when the circumstances make it clear that the motivation for the gift or hospitality, transportation or lodging was a personal or family relationship.
(II) A REGISTERED LOBBYIST OR EMPLOYEE OF A <-- REGISTERED LOBBYIST FOR THE CELEBRATION OF A MAJOR LIFE EVENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A WEDDING, GRADUATION OR THE BIRTH OF A CHILD.
(ii) A registered lobbyist or employee of a registered lobbyist if the public official, public employee or nominee or candidate for public office who receives the gift or hospitality, transportation or lodging is involved in a personal romantic relationship with the registered lobbyist or employee of a registered lobbyist and the circumstances make it clear that the motivation for the gift or hospitality, transportation or lodging is related to the personal romantic relationship.
(ii) (III) A registered lobbyist or employee of a <-- registered lobbyist if the public official, public employee or nominee or candidate for public office who receives the gift or hospitality, transportation or lodging is involved in a personal romantic relationship with the registered lobbyist or employee of a registered lobbyist and the circumstances make it clear that the motivation for the gift or hospitality, transportation or lodging is related to the personal romantic relationship.
(3) Informational material sent to the office of a public official or public employee in the form of a book, article, periodical, other written material, audiotape, 20190HB1945PN2914 - 3 - videotape or other forms of communication for nonentertainment purposes.
(3) Informational material sent to the office of a public official or public employee in the form of a book, article, periodical, other written material, audiotape, videotape or other forms of communication for nonentertainment purposes.
(5) An honorary degree or award and associated travel, food, refreshments and entertainment provided in the presentation of the degree or award.
(5) An honorary degree or award and associated travel, 20190HB1945PN2709 - 3 - food, refreshments and entertainment provided in the presentation of the degree or award.
(9) An educational mission, including a meeting with governmental officials, either foreign or domestic, intended to educate a public official or public employee on matters of public policy, to which the public official or public employee may be invited to participate along with other Federal, State or local public officials or community 20190HB1945PN2914 - 4 - leaders.
(9) An educational mission, including a meeting with governmental officials, either foreign or domestic, intended to educate a public official or public employee on matters of public policy, to which the public official or public employee may be invited to participate along with other Federal, State or local public officials or community leaders.
(11) An honorarium, including an award, plaque, trophy or other item, valued at $100 or less that is substantially commemorative in nature.
(11) An honorarium, including an award, plaque, trophy 20190HB1945PN2709 - 4 - or other item, valued at $100 or less that is substantially commemorative in nature.
(15) Reimbursement of expenses by a governmental body or <-- by an (15) THE FOLLOWING:
(15) Reimbursement of expenses by a governmental body or by an organization or association of public officials or employees of political subdivisions, which a public official or public employee serves in an official capacity.
<-- (I) REIMBURSEMENT OF HOSPITALITY, TRANSPORTATION OR LODGING EXPENSES BY:
(A) A GOVERNMENTAL BODY.
(B) AN organization or association of public officials or employees of political subdivisions, which a public official or public employee serves in an official capacity.
(C) A PRIVATE FOUNDATION AS DEFINED UNDER <-- SECTION 509 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986 (PUBLIC LAW 99-514, 26 U.S.C.
§ 1 ET SEQ.).
(D) AN ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(4), (6), (19) OR (23) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986.
20190HB1945PN2914 - 5 - (II) HOSPITALITY, TRANSPORTATION OR LODGING EXPENSES SHALL ONLY BE REIMBURSED IF DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR PUBLIC EMPLOYEE.
Section 1105(b)(6) and (7) of Title 65 are amended and the subsection is amended by adding a paragraph <-- PARAGRAPHS to read:
Section 1105(b)(6) and (7) of Title 65 are amended and the subsection is amended by adding a paragraph to read:
<-- § 1105.
§ 1105.
* * * (6) The name and address of the source and the amount of any gift or gifts valued in the aggregate at [$250 or more] $50 OR LESS and the circumstances of each gift.
* * * (6) The name and address of the source and the amount of any gift or gifts valued in the aggregate at [$250 or more] $50 and the circumstances of each gift.
This <-- paragraph shall not apply to a gift [or gifts received from a spouse, parent, parent by marriage, sibling, child, grandchild, other family member or friend when the circumstances make it clear that the motivation for the action was a personal or family relationship.
This paragraph shall not apply to a gift [or gifts received from a spouse, parent, parent by marriage, sibling, child, grandchild, other family member or friend when the circumstances make it clear that the motivation for the action was a personal or family relationship.
However, for the purposes of this paragraph, the term "friend" shall not include a registered lobbyist or an employee of a registered lobbyist.] under section 1103.2(1) (relating to gift ban exceptions).
However, for the purposes of this paragraph, 20190HB1945PN2709 - 5 - the term "friend" shall not include a registered lobbyist or an employee of a registered lobbyist.] under section 1103.2(1) (relating to gift ban exceptions).
(7) The name and address of the source and the amount of any payment for or reimbursement of actual expenses for transportation [and], lodging or hospitality [received in connection with public office or employment where such actual expenses for transportation and lodging or hospitality exceed 20190HB1945PN2914 - 6 - $650 in an aggregate amount per year.] valued in the aggregate at $500 OR LESS and the circumstances surrounding <-- the payment or reimbursement.
(7) The name and address of the source and the amount of any payment for or reimbursement of actual expenses for transportation [and], lodging or hospitality [received in connection with public office or employment where such actual expenses for transportation and lodging or hospitality exceed $650 in an aggregate amount per year.] valued in the aggregate at $500 and the circumstances surrounding the payment or reimbursement.
(7.2) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SOURCE AND THE AMOUNT <-- OF ANY AWARDS OR PRIZES VALUED IN THE AGGREGATE OF MORE THAN $500 AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING EACH AWARD OR PRIZE.
20190HB1945PN2914 - 7 -
20190HB1945PN2709 - 6 -
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

Amendments

2 amendments

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

Action History

  1. Laid on the table

  2. Removed from table

  3. Laid on the table

  4. First consideration

  5. PN 2914 Reported as amended

  6. PN 2709 Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 34 co-sponsors · 218 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Everett

Co-sponsors (34)

Not signed on (218)

218 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 218 →

"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

Subjects

civil-rights
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 1945?
HB 1945 is sponsored by Brett R. Miller (Republican), Tina M. Davis (Democratic), Louis Schmitt, Seth Grove, Everett, Helm, Ryan, Brad Roae (Republican), Turzai, Michael H. Schlossberg (Democratic), Murt, Jared G. Solomon (Democratic), Mike Jones (Republican), Knowles, Brown, Mullery, Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Gillespie, Schlegel Culver, MaryLouise Isaacson (Democratic), Jennifer O'Mara (Democratic), John A. Lawrence (Republican), Deluca, Stephanie Borowicz (Republican), Greg Vitali (Democratic), Wheeland, Saylor, Hennessey, Joe Webster (Democratic), Perry S. Warren (Democratic), Thomas, David M. Maloney (Republican), Quinn, Mike Zabel, and George Dunbar.
What is the current status of HB 1945?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” 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 1945?
Track HB 1945 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 1945

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB 1945

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →