Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 24 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 1291 — An Act amending Title 45 (Legal Notices) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in legal advertising, further providing for level of advertising rates, for effect of failure to advertise when required and for no unauthorized advertisements to be published and providing for publication in newspapers of general circulation; and making editorial changes.

Last action — Laid on the table (Pursuant to House Rule 71)

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

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 23, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 62% · high confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 25 sponsors

    1 primary, 24 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (24 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill updates regulations for legal notices and advertising rates in Pennsylvania.

This bill amends legal notice provisions in Pennsylvania's laws, including definitions and advertising rates. It also addresses the effects of failing to advertise as required and restricts unauthorized advertisements.

What this means for you
  • Families: Families might see updates in how legal information is communicated in their local communities.
  • Consumers: Consumers will be informed about where legal notices will appear, as the bill mandates publication in general circulation newspapers.
  • Small Business: Small businesses may encounter changes in advertising rates for legal notices.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

584 added · 491 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of HB 1291 includes new provisions that clearly define the consequences for failing to advertise legally required notices. This change is important because it adds accountability for organizations or officials who might neglect their advertising responsibilities, ensuring that the public is properly informed. Additionally, the bill streamlines some parts of the existing legislation related to advertising rates and unauthorized ads in newspapers, making the requirements clearer and more accessible.

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PRINTER'S NO.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
1466 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
1466 PRINTER'S NO.
1291 2025 INTRODUCED BY FREEMAN, KUZMA, MADDEN, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, HADDOCK, NEILSON, KINKEAD, DAVIDSON, ZIMMERMAN, MALAGARI, BIZZARRO, RYNCAVAGE, GILLEN, MADSEN, BOROWSKI, VENKAT, PROBST, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, HANBIDGE AND WAXMAN, APRIL 23, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, APRIL 23, 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 45 (Legal Notices) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for level of advertising rates and for norther unauthorized advertisements to be published and providing for publication in newspapers of general circulation;
2880 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
and making editorial changes.
1291 2025 INTRODUCED BY FREEMAN, KUZMA, MADDEN, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS, BIZZARRO, GILLEN, MADSEN, BOROWSKI, VENKAT, PROBST, CEPEDA- FREYTIZ, HANBIDGE, WAXMAN, HARKINS, SAMUELSON AND SCOTT, APRIL 23, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, FEBRUARY 4, 2026 AN ACT Amending Title 45 (Legal Notices) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions;
in legal advertising, further providing for level of advertising rates, FOR EFFECT OF <-- FAILURE TO ADVERTISE WHEN REQUIRED and for no unauthorized in newspapers of general circulation;
and making editorialon changes.
The title heading, section 101(a), Chapter 3 heading and sections 303 and 310 of Title 45 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
The title heading, section 101(a), Chapter 3 heading and sections 303, 307 and 310 of Title 45 of the <-- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
"Classified advertising." Intelligence or notices, published [and printed in small or inconspicuous type,] as advertising, classed with similar notices of advertising, and for which 20250HB1291PN1466 - 2 - compensation is intended to be charged.
"Classified advertising." Intelligence or notices, published [and printed in small or inconspicuous type,] as advertising, 20250HB1291PN2880 - 2 - classed with similar notices of advertising, and for which compensation is intended to be charged.
"Daily newspaper." A newspaper regularly published at least [five] two days in the week[, either including or excluding Sundays and legal holidays].
"Daily newspaper." A newspaper regularly published at least [five] two days in the week[, either including or excluding 20250HB1291PN2880 - 3 - Sundays and legal holidays].
20250HB1291PN1466 - 3 - "Decree." A decision, judgment, order or sentence of any court.
"Decree." A decision, judgment, order or sentence of any court.
["Display advertising." Intelligence made conspicuous, and designated by either reading matter, printed from various sizes, kinds and styles of types or illustrations, and printed or 20250HB1291PN1466 - 4 - published for a compensation, demanded or intended to be received from those interested in, affected or served by, the subject matter published.
["Display advertising." Intelligence made conspicuous, and designated by either reading matter, printed from various sizes, 20250HB1291PN2880 - 4 - kinds and styles of types or illustrations, and printed or published for a compensation, demanded or intended to be received from those interested in, affected or served by, the subject matter published.
(1) offered gratuitously and principally devoted to the dissemination of local or general news and other editorial content, which shall not constitute less than 25% of overall content, does not primarily serve as a platform for promoting the interests of a special interest group, individual or cause and follows ethics and standards of print journalism;
(1) offered gratuitously and principally devoted to the dissemination of ORIGINAL local or general news and other <-- editorial content, which shall not DOES NOT constitute less <-- than 25% 40% of overall content, does not primarily serve as <-- a platform for promoting the interests of a special interest group, individual or cause and follows ethics and standards of print journalism;
and (2) is a continuous publication and has been published at not less than weekly intervals in the same community and has been published for at least two years.
and AS AN ANNUAL AVERAGE;
"Issue." A single regular publication of a journal, magazine, daily newspaper, digital newspaper, free newspaper, online-only newspaper, newsletter, printed newspaper or trade publication.
<-- (2) THAT IS REGISTERED AS A BUSINESS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH;
(3) THAT EMPLOYS A LOCAL NEWS STAFF;
(4) THAT HAS A VERIFIABLE LOCAL AUDIENCE;
(5) THAT DOES NOT PRIMARILY SERVE AS A PLATFORM FOR COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING OR PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INDIVIDUAL OR CAUSE;
(6) THAT FOLLOWS ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRINTED JOURNALISM;
AND (2) (7) THAT is a continuous publication and has been <-- published at not less than weekly intervals in the same community and has been published for at least two years.
"Issue." A single regular publication of a journal, magazine, daily newspaper, digital newspaper, free newspaper, online-only newspaper, newsletter, printed newspaper or trade 20250HB1291PN2880 - 5 - publication.
"Legal advertisement." A notice, advertisement, publication, statement, or abstract of a notice, advertisement, publication, or statement, required by resolution of a corporation, unincorporated association, or government unit, or ordinance of 20250HB1291PN1466 - 5 - a political subdivision, or by law, or by rule, order, or decree of court, to be published, for a valuable consideration, in either a newspaper of general circulation, a legal newspaper or an official newspaper.
"Legal advertisement." A notice, advertisement, publication, statement, or abstract of a notice, advertisement, publication, or statement, required by resolution of a corporation, unincorporated association, or government unit, or ordinance of a political subdivision, or by law, or by rule, order, or decree of court, to be published, for a valuable consideration, in either a newspaper of general circulation, a legal newspaper or an official newspaper.
"Long primer." A type 10 type points in depth or height.] "Magazine." Partakes of the nature of a periodical.
"Long primer." A type 10 type points in depth or height.] 20250HB1291PN2880 - 6 - "Magazine." Partakes of the nature of a periodical.
["Newspaper." (1) A printed paper or publication, bearing a title or name, and conveying reading or pictorial intelligence of 20250HB1291PN1466 - 6 - passing events, local or general happenings, printing regularly or irregularly editorial comment, announcements, miscellaneous reading matter, commercial advertising, classified advertising, legal advertising, and other notices, and which has been issued in numbers of four or more pages at short intervals, either daily, twice or oftener each week, or weekly, continuously during a period of at least six months, or as the successor of such a printed paper or publication issued during an immediate prior period of at least six months, and which has been circulated and distributed from an established place of business to subscribers or readers without regard to number, for a definite price or consideration, either entered or entitled to be entered under the Postal Rules and Regulations as second class matter in the United States mails, and subscribed for by readers at a fixed price for each copy, or at a price fixed per annum.
["Newspaper." (1) A printed paper or publication, bearing a title or name, and conveying reading or pictorial intelligence of passing events, local or general happenings, printing regularly or irregularly editorial comment, announcements, miscellaneous reading matter, commercial advertising, classified advertising, legal advertising, and other notices, and which has been issued in numbers of four or more pages at short intervals, either daily, twice or oftener each week, or weekly, continuously during a period of at least six months, or as the successor of such a printed paper or publication issued during an immediate prior period of at least six months, and which has been circulated and distributed from an established place of business to subscribers or readers without regard to number, for a definite price or consideration, either entered or entitled to be entered under the Postal Rules and Regulations as second class matter in the United States mails, and subscribed for by readers at a fixed price for each copy, or at a price fixed per annum.
Continuous publication within the meaning of this section shall not be deemed interrupted by any involuntary suspension of publication resulting from loss, destruction, failure or unavailability of operating facilities, equipment or personnel from whatever cause, and any newspaper so affected shall not be disqualified to publish official and legal advertising in the event that publication is resumed within one week after it again becomes possible.
Continuous publication within the meaning of this section shall not be 20250HB1291PN2880 - 7 - deemed interrupted by any involuntary suspension of publication resulting from loss, destruction, failure or unavailability of operating facilities, equipment or personnel from whatever cause, and any newspaper so affected shall not be disqualified to publish official and legal advertising in the event that publication is resumed within one week after it again becomes possible.
20250HB1291PN1466 - 7 - (3) A printed paper or publication, not entitled to be entered, or which has been denied entry, as second class matter in the United States mails under the Postal Rules and Regulations of the United States is not a newspaper.] "Newspaper of general circulation." As follows:
(3) A printed paper or publication, not entitled to be entered, or which has been denied entry, as second class matter in the United States mails under the Postal Rules and Regulations of the United States is not a newspaper.] "Newspaper of general circulation." As follows:
(2) If no printed newspaper that satisfies paragraph (1) exists, a digital newspaper that posts all legal notices and public notices on its website and on the Statewide public notice website at no additional cost.
(2) If no printed newspaper that satisfies paragraph (1) exists, a digital newspaper that posts all legal notices and <-- public notices on its website and on the Statewide public notice website at no additional cost.
(3) If no newspaper that satisfies either paragraph (1) or (2) exists, and until such time as one does exist, a free newspaper or an online-only newspaper.
(3) If no newspaper that satisfies either paragraph (1) 20250HB1291PN2880 - 8 - or (2) exists, and until such time as one does exist, a free newspaper or an online-only newspaper.
"Newspaper website." An Internet website maintained and administered by a printed newspaper, digital newspaper, online- only newspaper or free newspaper on which the printed newspaper, 20250HB1291PN1466 - 8 - digital newspaper, online-only newspaper or free newspaper posts news stories and items of public interest.
EXISTS:
<-- (I) A DIGITAL NEWSPAPER THAT POSTS ALL LEGAL NOTICES AND PUBLIC NOTICES ON THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC NOTICE WEBSITE AT NO ADDITIONAL COST;
(II) AN ONLINE-ONLY NEWSPAPER THAT POSTS ALL LEGAL NOTICES AND PUBLIC NOTICES ON THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC NOTICE WEBSITE AT NO ADDITIONAL COST;
OR (III) A FREE NEWSPAPER THAT:
(A) POSTS ALL LEGAL NOTICES AND PUBLIC NOTICES ON ITS WEBSITE AT NO ADDITIONAL COST;
AND (B) POSTS ALL LEGAL NOTICES AND PUBLIC NOTICES ON THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC NOTICE WEBSITE AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
"Newspaper website." An Internet website maintained and administered by a printed newspaper, digital newspaper, online- only newspaper or free newspaper on which the printed newspaper, digital newspaper, online-only newspaper or free newspaper posts news stories and items of public interest.
"Official advertisement." A notice, advertisement, publication, or statement, or an abstract of a notice, advertisement, publication, or statement, required to be made by law, rule, order, or decree of court, by any person, or in the conduct of the business of a private or public corporation, or on the order of any government unit, or in the performance of any official duty imposed by law, rule, order, or decree of court, resolution or ordinance.
"Official advertisement." A notice, advertisement, publication, or statement, or an abstract of a notice, 20250HB1291PN2880 - 9 - advertisement, publication, or statement, required to be made by law, rule, order, or decree of court, by any person, or in the conduct of the business of a private or public corporation, or on the order of any government unit, or in the performance of any official duty imposed by law, rule, order, or decree of court, resolution or ordinance.
20250HB1291PN1466 - 9 - (ii) contains content that must be updated daily;
(ii) contains content that must be updated daily;
(3) is principally devoted to the dissemination of local or general news and other editorial content that must constitute not less than 25% of overall content;
(3) is principally devoted to the dissemination of ORIGINAL local or general news and other editorial content <-- that must constitute CONSTITUTES not less than 25% of overall <-- content ON AN ANNUAL AVERAGE;
(4) follows the ethics and standards of print journalism;
<-- 20250HB1291PN2880 - 10 - (4) follows the ethics and standards of print journalism;
(7) is easily accessible to the public through common Internet search engines or other Internet search means;
(7) USES WRITTEN CONTENT AS ITS PRIMARY REPORTING METHOD <-- AND MEANS OF COMMUNICATION;
(8) contains conspicuous links or a heading on its landing page that direct members of the public to legal notices and public notices;
(8) EMPLOYS A LOCAL NEWS STAFF;
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and (9) is produced in an archivable format and content must be archived on a server or website.
(9) HAS A VERIFIABLE LOCAL AUDIENCE;
(7) (10) is easily accessible to the public through <-- common Internet search engines or other Internet search means;
(8) (11) contains conspicuous links or a heading on its <-- landing page that direct members of the public to legal notices and public notices;
and (9) (12) is produced in an archivable format and content <-- must be archived on a server or website.
"Periodical." A printed paper or publication, issued in pamphlet or book form, regardless of page size or number of pages, at stated or regular intervals of more than one day between each issue, containing either general, class, trade, technical, scientific, serial articles, or other reading matter, advertising, et cetera, and entitled to be entered as second class matter in the United States mails under the Postal Rules 20250HB1291PN1466 - 10 - and Regulations of the United States.
"Periodical." A printed paper or publication, issued in pamphlet or book form, regardless of page size or number of pages, at stated or regular intervals of more than one day between each issue, containing either general, class, trade, technical, scientific, serial articles, or other reading matter, advertising, et cetera, and entitled to be entered as second class matter in the United States mails under the Postal Rules and Regulations of the United States.
"Point." A unit of measurement for determining the height of a type, letter, figure, or other character, or the width of a rule, as heretofore generally known and fixed by general agreement of certain type founders and manufacturers, at 0.0138 inch in length.] "Printed newspaper." As follows:
20250HB1291PN2880 - 11 - "Point." A unit of measurement for determining the height of a type, letter, figure, or other character, or the width of a rule, as heretofore generally known and fixed by general agreement of certain type founders and manufacturers, at 0.0138 inch in length.] "Printed newspaper." As follows:
(iii) is circulated and distributed from an established place of business to subscribers or readers without regard to number, for a definite price or consideration, either entered or entitled to be entered under the Postal Rules and Regulations as second class matter in the United States mail, and subscribed for by readers at a fixed price for each issue, or at a price 20250HB1291PN1466 - 11 - fixed per annum;
(iii) is circulated and distributed from an established place of business to subscribers or readers without regard to number, for a definite price or consideration, either entered or entitled to be entered under the Postal Rules and Regulations as second class matter in the United States mail, and subscribed for by readers at a fixed price for each issue, or at a price fixed per annum;
and (iv) may be a daily newspaper, weekly newspaper, newspaper of general circulation, official newspaper or a legal newspaper.
and (iv) may be a daily newspaper, weekly newspaper, 20250HB1291PN2880 - 12 - newspaper of general circulation, official newspaper or a legal newspaper.
"Publication." 20250HB1291PN1466 - 12 - [(1)] The act of printing or posting online a legal notice or public notice[, advertisement, or proclamation,] for the purpose of disseminating information to individuals or the [people] public at large.
"Publication." [(1)] The act of printing or posting online a legal notice or public notice[, advertisement, or proclamation,] 20250HB1291PN2880 - 13 - for the purpose of disseminating information to individuals or the [people] public at large.
20250HB1291PN1466 - 13 - "Rule." Any formal order or direction made by a tribunal or other government unit.
"Rule." Any formal order or direction made by a tribunal or other government unit.
["Sample copy." A copy of a publication distributed without charge or expense to prospective subscribers or advertisers, in numbers limited by the United States Postal Rules and Regulations governing second class mail matter.
20250HB1291PN2880 - 14 - ["Sample copy." A copy of a publication distributed without charge or expense to prospective subscribers or advertisers, in numbers limited by the United States Postal Rules and Regulations governing second class mail matter.
(3) that is available for viewing and searching by the 20250HB1291PN1466 - 14 - public, free of charge;
(3) that is available for viewing and searching by the public, free of charge;
and (4) that accepts legal notices and public notice postings from any newspaper of general circulation in this Commonwealth.
and (4) that accepts legal notices and public notice 20250HB1291PN2880 - 15 - postings from any newspaper of general circulation in this Commonwealth.
[(b) Exception.--Where official and legal advertising is usually and ordinarily published according to recognized or prescribed forms, or particular matters are itemized and 20250HB1291PN1466 - 15 - classified under general headings, subsection (a) shall not prohibit the fixing of definite prices or sums for publishing official and legal advertising, regardless of the number of single column lines or space required for each item, notice, or advertisement published in any separate matter or proceeding, and regardless of rates established, fixed, charged or received for commercial, general or other advertising.
[(b) Exception.--Where official and legal advertising is usually and ordinarily published according to recognized or prescribed forms, or particular matters are itemized and classified under general headings, subsection (a) shall not prohibit the fixing of definite prices or sums for publishing 20250HB1291PN2880 - 16 - official and legal advertising, regardless of the number of single column lines or space required for each item, notice, or advertisement published in any separate matter or proceeding, and regardless of rates established, fixed, charged or received for commercial, general or other advertising.
The purpose of this subsection is to enable newspapers to take into consideration, as elements, when fixing advertising rates or charges, location of the advertisement in the newspaper, the purpose to be served, the character of the advertising, and that a newspaper is entitled to compensation for its readiness at all times to render an advertising service.] § 310.
The purpose of this subsection is to enable newspapers to take into consideration, as elements, when fixing advertising rates or charges, location of the advertisement in the newspaper, the purpose to be served, the character of the advertising, and that a newspaper is entitled to compensation for its readiness at all times to render an advertising service.] § 307.
EFFECT OF FAILURE TO ADVERTISE WHEN REQUIRED.
<-- (A) GENERAL RULE.--NO LEGAL PROCEEDING, MATTER, OR CASE IN WHICH NOTICE IS REQUIRED TO BE GIVEN BY PUBLIC NOTICE, OFFICIAL OR LEGAL ADVERTISING, SHALL BE BINDING AND EFFECTIVE UPON ANY INTERESTED PERSON UNLESS SUCH PUBLIC NOTICE, OFFICIAL AND LEGAL ADVERTISING IS [PRINTED AND] PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPERS OF GENERAL CIRCULATION, OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS, AND LEGAL NEWSPAPERS DEFINED BY THIS TITLE, IN THE MANNER AND AS REQUIRED BY STATUTE, AND BY ANY RULE, ORDER, OR DECREE OF COURT, RESOLUTION OF A CORPORATION, OR UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATION, OR ORDINANCE, RULE, OR REGULATION OF ANY GOVERNMENT UNIT, IN THE PROPER NEWSPAPERS OF GENERAL CIRCULATION, OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS, AND LEGAL NEWSPAPERS, DEFINED BY THIS TITLE, AND A PROOF OF PUBLICATION IS FILED OF RECORD IN SUCH MATTER OR PROCEEDING.
(B) PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLISHED IN PRINTED NEWSPAPERS.-- (1) PUBLIC NOTICE THAT IS PUBLISHED BY A PRINTED NEWSPAPER THAT QUALIFIES AS A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION ON ITS INTERNET WEBSITE AND ON THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC NOTICE WEBSITE SHALL BE BINDING AND EFFECTIVE IF 20250HB1291PN2880 - 17 - NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY LAW WITHIN A TIME FRAME THAT DOES NOT PERMIT A PRINTED PUBLIC NOTICE BY THE SAME PRINTED NEWSPAPER.
(2) A PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED PRINT EDITION FOLLOWING PUBLICATION ON THE PRINTED NEWSPAPER'S INTERNET WEBSITE AND THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC NOTICE WEBSITE.
§ 310.
(a) Limitation.--Legal notices and public notices may only be published in newspapers of general circulation.
(a) Limitation.--Legal notices and public notices may only <-- be published in newspapers of general circulation.
(A) LIMITATION.-- <-- (1) LEGAL NOTICES AND PUBLIC NOTICES MAY ONLY BE PUBLISHED IN NEWSPAPERS OF GENERAL CIRCULATION.
(2) PARAGRAPH (1) DOES NOT APPLY TO A LEGAL NOTICE OR PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIRED BY OTHER LAW TO BE PUBLISHED IN A LEGAL NEWSPAPER.
(2) make the full text of the legal notice or public notice available in a searchable format for the period of 20250HB1291PN1466 - 16 - time that the legal notice or public notice is required to be posted;
(2) make the full text of the legal notice or public notice available in a searchable format for the period of 20250HB1291PN2880 - 18 - time that the legal notice or public notice is required to be posted;
(3) provide access to view legal notices or public notices on the website and perform searches for legal notices or public notices on the website, for no fee, provided that the operator may charge a fee for enhanced search and customized content delivery features;
(3) provide access to view legal notices or public notices on the website LANDING PAGE CLEARLY AND CONSPICUOUSLY <-- and perform searches for legal notices or public notices on the website, for no fee, provided that the operator may charge a fee for enhanced search and customized content delivery features;
Section 3.
(C) DUTY OF GOVERNMENT UNITS.-- <-- (1) THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT UNITS SHALL ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING WHICH NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION SHALL BE USED TO CARRY THE GOVERNMENT UNIT'S LEGAL NOTICES AND PUBLIC NOTICES:
(I) POLITICAL SUBDIVISION;
(II) INTERMEDIATE UNIT;
(III) CHARTER SCHOOL;
(IV) CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL;
(V) PUBLIC TRADE SCHOOL;
(VI) AREA CAREER AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL;
(VII) LOCAL AGENCY, AUTHORITY, COUNCIL, BOARD AND COMMISSION;
(VIII) INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, AUTHORITY, COUNCIL, 20250HB1291PN2880 - 19 - BOARD AND COMMISSION;
(IX) REGIONAL AGENCY, AUTHORITY, COUNCIL, BOARD AND COMMISSION;
(X) MUNICIPAL AGENCY, AUTHORITY, COUNCIL, BOARD AND COMMISSION;
AND (XI) SIMILAR GOVERNMENT ENTITY.
(2) THE RESOLUTION UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) SHALL BE ADOPTED AT A PUBLIC MEETING THAT ADHERES TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF 65 PA.C.S.
CH.
7 (RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS).
SECTION 3.
TITLE 45 IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ:
§ 312.
CONSTRUCTION.
NOTHING IN THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO SUPERSEDE, ALTER OR ELIMINATE ANY REQUIREMENT TO PUBLISH A LEGAL OR PUBLIC NOTICE IN A LEGAL NEWSPAPER AS REQUIRED BY ANY OTHER LAW, RULE, ORDER OR DECREE OF COURT.
Section 3 4.
20250HB1291PN1466 - 17 -
<-- 20250HB1291PN2880 - 20 -
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Action History

  1. Laid on the table (Pursuant to House Rule 71)

  2. Removed from table

  3. Laid on the table

  4. First consideration

  5. Reported as amended

  6. Referred to Local Government

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 24 co-sponsors · 228 not signed on · 12 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (24)

Not signed on (228)

228 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 228 →

"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

Committee vote (Local Government): Adopt Amendment

Passed 25 Yea · 1 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 14000
Republican 11100
Total 25100
% of votes cast 96%4%0%0%
How each member voted (26)
Member Party Vote
Abigail Salisbury Democratic Yea
Brian Munroe Democratic Yea
Carol Kazeem Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Dave Madsen Democratic Yea
Ismail Smith-Wade-El Democratic Yea
Jim Haddock Democratic Yea
Jim Prokopiak Democratic Yea
Justin C. Fleming Democratic Yea
Kyle Donahue Democratic Yea
Lisa A. Borowski Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Yea
Robert Freeman Democratic Yea
Tarah Probst Democratic Yea
Alec J. Ryncavage Republican Yea
Andrew Kuzma Republican Yea
Brett R. Miller Republican Yea
Chad G. Reichard Republican Yea
Dane Watro Republican Nay
Eric J. Weaknecht Republican Yea
Jacob D. Banta Republican Yea
Jill N. Cooper Republican Yea
Parke Wentling Republican Yea
Roman Kozak Republican Yea
Tom Jones Republican Yea
Wendy Fink Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee vote (Local Government): Report Bill As Amended

Passed 14 Yea · 12 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 14000
Republican 01200
Total 141200
% of votes cast 54%46%0%0%
How each member voted (26)
Member Party Vote
Abigail Salisbury Democratic Yea
Brian Munroe Democratic Yea
Carol Kazeem Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Dave Madsen Democratic Yea
Ismail Smith-Wade-El Democratic Yea
Jim Haddock Democratic Yea
Jim Prokopiak Democratic Yea
Justin C. Fleming Democratic Yea
Kyle Donahue Democratic Yea
Lisa A. Borowski Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Yea
Robert Freeman Democratic Yea
Tarah Probst Democratic Yea
Alec J. Ryncavage Republican Nay
Andrew Kuzma Republican Nay
Brett R. Miller Republican Nay
Chad G. Reichard Republican Nay
Dane Watro Republican Nay
Eric J. Weaknecht Republican Nay
Jacob D. Banta Republican Nay
Jill N. Cooper Republican Nay
Parke Wentling Republican Nay
Roman Kozak Republican Nay
Tom Jones Republican Nay
Wendy Fink Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

elections
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 1291?
HB 1291 is sponsored by Robert Freeman (Democratic), Maureen E. Madden (Democratic), Jose Giral (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic), Jim Haddock (Democratic), Ed Neilson (Democratic), Emily Kinkead (Democratic), Nathan Davidson (Democratic), Steven R. Malagari (Democratic), Ryan A. Bizzarro (Democratic), Dave Madsen (Democratic), Lisa A. Borowski (Democratic), Arvind Venkat (Democratic), Tarah Probst (Democratic), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (Democratic), Liz Hanbidge (Democratic), Ben Waxman (Democratic), Patrick J. Harkins (Democratic), Steve Samuelson (Democratic), Greg Scott (Democratic), Dan Frankel (Democratic), Melissa L. Shusterman (Democratic), Lindsay Powell (Democratic), and Scott Barger (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 1291?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 23, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 1291?
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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