Pennsylvania General Assembly

Pennsylvania General Assembly
Name	Pennsylvania General Assembly
Legislature	Pennsylvania General Assembly
House type	Bicameral
Houses	Pennsylvania Senate, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Leader1 type	President of the Senate
Leader1	Austin Davis
Election1	2023
Leader2 type	Speaker of the House
Leader2	Joanna McClinton
Election2	2023
Members	253, 50 Senators, 203 Representatives
Political groups1	Majority (28), Democratic (28), Minority (22), Republican (22)
Political groups2	Majority (102), Democratic (102), Minority (101), Republican (101)
Meeting place	Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg
Website	www.legis.state.pa.us

Contents

History
Structure and composition
Powers and duties
Legislative process
Current session and leadership
See also

Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, operating as a bicameral body within the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg. It is composed of the Pennsylvania Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, collectively responsible for enacting state law, passing the budget, and providing oversight of the executive branch. The assembly's history is deeply intertwined with the founding of the United States, and its modern operations are governed by the Pennsylvania Constitution.

History

The assembly traces its origins to the Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania, established under the colonial charter granted to William Penn. It played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, with delegates like Benjamin Franklin and Robert Morris involved in early governance. The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 created a unicameral legislature, but the current bicameral form was established by the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1790, aligning more closely with the federal model set by the United States Constitution. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the assembly was central to debates over issues like the Civil War, industrialization, and the Progressive Era.

Structure and composition

The legislature is divided into two chambers: the Pennsylvania Senate with 50 members serving four-year terms, and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with 203 members serving two-year terms. Elections are held in even-numbered years, with senate seats staggered. The political composition is determined by the Democratic and Republican parties, with district boundaries drawn following each United States Census. Leadership includes the Lieutenant Governor, who serves as President of the Senate, and the elected Speaker of the House.

Powers and duties

Constitutional powers include the authority to enact laws on all subjects not preempted by the United States Congress or prohibited by the Pennsylvania Constitution. Its primary duties are to pass a balanced annual state budget, confirm gubernatorial appointments to agencies like the Pennsylvania Department of State, and propose amendments to the state constitution. The assembly also holds investigative powers through committees and can override gubernatorial vetoes with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

Legislative process

Bills may be introduced in either chamber, except revenue bills which must originate in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. A typical bill is referred to a standing committee, such as the Appropriations Committee, for review and possible amendment. It must pass three readings in the house of origin, then repeat the process in the opposite chamber. If versions differ, a Conference committee negotiates a compromise. Finally, the bill is sent to the Governor of Pennsylvania, who may sign it, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it.

Current session and leadership

The current session is the 207th of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Pennsylvania Senate is led by President Austin Davis and President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is led by Speaker Joanna McClinton and Majority Leader Matthew Bradford. Key legislative priorities often include education funding, infrastructure projects, and energy policy, with notable recent legislation addressing the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act and Act 77 of 2019, which expanded mail-in voting.