Home » ARTICLE II, SECTION 17. AMENDMENT OF NOVEMBER 3, 1981

ARTICLE II, SECTION 17. AMENDMENT OF NOVEMBER 3, 1981

Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 1968 – Legislative History

Legislative Reapportionment Commission

(a) In each year following the year of the Federal decennial census, a Legislative Reapportionment Commission shall be constituted for the purpose of reapportioning the Commonwealth. The commission shall act by a majority of its entire membership.

(b) The commission shall consist of five members: four of whom shall be the majority and minority leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, or deputies appointed by each of them, and a chairman selected as hereinafter provided. No later than 60 days following the official reporting of the Federal decennial census as required by Federal law, the four members shall be certified by the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the elections officer of the Commonwealth who under law shall have supervision over elections. The four members within 45 days after their certification shall select the fifth member, who shall serve as chairman of the commission, and shall immediately certify his name to such elections officer. The chairman shall be a citizen of the Commonwealth other than a local, State or Federal official holding an office to which compensation is attached.

If the four members fail to select the fifth member within the time prescribed, a majority of the entire membership of the Supreme Court within thirty days thereafter shall appoint the chairman as aforesaid and certify his appointment to such elections officer.

Any vacancy in the commission shall be filled within 15 days in the same manner in which such position was originally filled. [Source: 1981 Pa. Laws 601]

Bill Histories

1980 Bill History Joint Resolution No. 1

SB 888 By Senators HESS, LINCOLN, PECORA, PRICE, JUBELIRER, ZEMPRELLI and
MURRAY.

Prior Printer’s No. 1015.                              Printer’s No. 1373.

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for the time frame for the
creation of a Legislative Reapportionment Commission.

Referred to CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES AND FEDERAL RELATIONS, July 4, 1979
Reported as amended, Nov. 28, 1979
First consideration, Nov. 28, 1979
Second consideration, Dec. 3, 1979
Third consideration and final passage, Dec. 4, 1979 (47-0)
In the House
Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, Dec. 5, 1979
Reported as committed, June 23, 1980
First consideration, June 23, 1980
Laid on the table, June 23, 1980
Removed from table, June 23, 1980
Second consideration, June 24, 1980
Third consideration and final passage, June 25, 1980 (113-68)
(Remarks see House Journal Page 1841),  June 25, 1980
Signed in Senate, June 30, 1980
Signed in House, June 30, 1980
Filed in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, June 30, 1980
Pamphlet Laws Resolution No. 1
Passed Sessions of 1980

1981 Bill History Joint Resolution No. 1   

SB 3 By Senators HESS, SCANLON, CORMAN, MOORE, HOWARD and EARLY.

Printer’s No. 3.

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for the time frame for the
creation of a Legislative Reapportionment Commission.

Referred to RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, Jan. 8, 1981
Reported as committed, Feb. 2, 1981
First consideration, Feb. 2, 1981
Second consideration, Feb. 3, 1981
Third consideration and final passage, Feb. 9, 1981 (47-0)
In the House
Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, Feb. 10, 1981
Reported as committed, March 9, 1981
First consideration, March 9, 1981
Laid on the table, March 9, 1981
Removed from table, March 9, 1981
Second consideration, March 10, 1981
Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, March 10, 1981
Re-reported as committed, March 30, 1981
Third consideration and final passage, April 22, 1981 (193-0)
Signed in Senate, April 22, 1981
Signed in House, April 27, 1981
Filed in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth,
April 27, 1981
Pamphlet Laws Resolution No. 1
Passed Sessions of 1980 and 1981
Approved by the Electorate, Nov. 3, 1981 (823,948 – 625,700)