May. 24, 2021
BRIDGEVILLE – The House today passed legislation authored by Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) that would change who is responsible for the advertisement and writing of proposed constitutional amendments.
“Earlier this year, we learned that the Department of State did not properly advertise an amendment to the Constitution that would have given victims of childhood sexual abuse recourse in civil court,” Ortitay said. “As a result, the process had to start anew. The Legislative Reference Bureau, which is unbiased and fair, drafts all legislation. As a result, it only makes sense that it should be responsible for advertising and writing the actual ballot questions.”
House Bill 1010 would change advertisement duties from the Secretary of the Department of State to the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau or a successor legislative agency chosen by the General Assembly. This will include writing the ballot question as well as a summary of the amendment.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration. If it passes both bodies of the General Assembly this session, identical language would have to pass again during the 2023-24 Legislative Session before the voters would decide if this constitutional change should be made.
The 46th Legislative District includes Collier and South Fayette townships and Bridgeville, Heidelberg, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs in Washington County.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
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