PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE III
LEGISLATION

ART. III §0 | ARTICLE III INTRODUCTION

Adoption.

Unless otherwise noted, the provisions of Article III were adopted December 16, 1873, 1874 P.L.3, effective January 1, 1874.

Subdivision Headings.

The subdivision headings of Article III were added by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §1 | PASSAGE OF LAWS

No law shall be passed except by bill, and no bill shall be so altered or amended, on its passage through either House, as to change its original purpose.

ART. III §2 | REFERENCE TO COMMITTEE; PRINTING

No bill shall be considered unless referred to a committee, printed for the use of the members and returned therefrom.

ART. III §3 | FORM OF BILLS

No bill shall be passed containing more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title, except a general appropriation bill or a bill codifying or compiling the law or a part thereof.

ART. III §4 | CONSIDERATION OF BILLS

Every bill shall be considered on three different days in each House. All amendments made thereto shall be printed for the use of the members before the final vote is taken on the bill and before the final vote is taken, upon written request addressed to the presiding officer of either House by at least 25% of the members elected to that House, any bill shall be read at length in that House. No bill shall become a law, unless on its final passage the vote is taken by yeas and nays, the names of the persons voting for and against it are entered on the journal, and a majority of the members elected to each House is recorded thereon as voting in its favor.

ART. III §5 | CONCURRING IN AMENDMENTS; CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS

No amendment to bills by one House shall be concurred in by the other, except by the vote of a majority of the members elected thereto, taken by yeas and nays, and the names of those voting for and against recorded upon the journal thereof; and reports of committees of conference shall be adopted in either House only by the vote of a majority of the members elected thereto, taken by yeas and nays, and the names of those voting recorded upon the journals.

ART. III §6 | REVIVAL AND AMENDMENT OF LAWS

No law shall be revived, amended, or the provisions thereof extended or conferred, by reference to its title only, but so much thereof as is revived, amended, extended or conferred shall be re-enacted and published at length.

ART. III §7 | NOTICE OF LOCAL AND SPECIAL BILLS

No local or special bill shall be passed unless notice of the intention to apply therefor shall have been published in the locality where the matter or the thing to be effected may be situated, which notice shall be at least 30 days prior to the introduction into the General Assembly of such bill and in the manner to be provided by law; the evidence of such notice having been published, shall be exhibited in the General Assembly, before such act shall be passed.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 7 was renumbered to present section 32 and present section 7 was renumbered from former section 8 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §8 | SIGNING OF BILLS

The presiding officer of each House shall, in the presence of the House over which he presides, sign all bills and joint resolutions passed by the General Assembly, after their titles have been publicly read immediately before signing; and the fact of signing shall be entered on the journal.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 8 was renumbered to present section 7 and present section 8 was renumbered from former section 9 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §9 | ACTION ON CONCURRENT ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS

Every order, resolution or vote, to which the concurrence of both Houses may be necessary, except on the questions of adjournment or termination or extension of a disaster emergency declaration as declared by an executive order or proclamation, or portion of a disaster emergency declaration as declared by an executive order or proclamation, shall be presented to the Governor and before it shall take effect be approved by him, or being disapproved, shall be repassed by two-thirds of both Houses according to the rules and limitations prescribed in case of a bill.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 9 was renumbered to present section 8 and present section 9 was renumbered from former section 26 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §10 | REVENUE BILLS

All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose amendments as in other bills.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 10 was renumbered to present section 17 and present section 10 was renumbered from former section 14 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §11 | APPROPRIATION BILLS

The general appropriation bill shall embrace nothing but appropriations for the executive, legislative and judicial departments of the Commonwealth, for the public debt and for public schools. All other appropriations shall be made by separate bills, each embracing but one subject.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 renumbered former section 11 to present section 26 and amended and renumbered former section 15 to present section 11.

ART. III §12 | LEGISLATION DESIGNATED BY GOVERNOR AT SPECIAL SESSIONS

When the General Assembly shall be convened in special session, there shall be no legislation upon subjects other than those designated in the proclamation of the Governor calling such session.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 12 was repealed and present section 12 was renumbered from former section 25 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §13 | VOTE DENIED MEMBERS WITH PERSONAL INTEREST

A member who has a personal or private interest in any measure or bill proposed or pending before the General Assembly shall disclose the fact to the House of which he is a member, and shall not vote thereon.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 13 was renumbered to present section 27 and present section 13 was renumbered from former section 33 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §14 | PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 renumbered former section 14 to present section 10 and amended and renumbered section 1 of former Article X (Education) to present section 14.

ART. III §15 | PUBLIC SCHOOL MONEY NOT AVAILABLE TO SECTARIAN SCHOOLS

No money raised for the support of the public schools of the Commonwealth shall be appropriated to or used for the support of any sectarian school.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 renumbered former section 15 to present section 11 and renumbered section 2 of former Article X (Education).

ART. III §16 | NATIONAL GUARD TO BE ORGANIZED AND MAINTAINED

The citizens of this Commonwealth shall be armed, organized and disciplined for its defense when and in such manner as may be directed by law. The General Assembly shall provide for maintaining the National Guard by appropriations from the Treasury of the Commonwealth, and may exempt from State military service persons having conscientious scruples against bearing arms.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 renumbered former section 16 to present section 24 and amended and renumbered section 1 of former Article XI (Militia).

ART. III §17 | APPOINTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

The General Assembly shall prescribe by law the number, duties and compensation of the officers and employees of each House, and no payment shall be made from the State Treasury, or be in any way authorized, to any person, except to an acting officer or employee elected or appointed in pursuance of law.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 17 was renumbered to present section 30 and present section 17 was renumbered from former section 10 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §18 | COMPENSATION LAWS ALLOWED TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly may enact laws requiring the payment by employers, or employers and employees jointly, of reasonable compensation for injuries to employees arising in the course of their employment, and for occupational diseases of employees, whether or not such injuries or diseases result in death, and regardless of fault of employer or employee, and fixing the basis of ascertainment of such compensation and the maximum and minimum limits thereof, and providing special or general remedies for the collection thereof; but in no other cases shall the General Assembly limit the amount to be recovered for injuries resulting in death, or for injuries to persons or property, and in case of death from such injuries, the right of action shall survive, and the General Assembly shall prescribe for whose benefit such actions shall be prosecuted. No act shall prescribe any limitations of time within which suits may be brought against corporations for injuries to persons or property, or for other causes different from those fixed by general laws regulating actions against natural persons, and such acts now existing are avoided.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 18 was renumbered to present section 29 and present section 18 was renumbered from former section 21 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §19 | APPROPRIATIONS FOR SUPPORT OF WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF PERSONS WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES

The General Assembly may make appropriations of money to institutions wherein the widows of persons who served in the armed forces are supported or assisted, or the orphans of persons who served in the armed forces are maintained and educated; but such appropriations shall be applied exclusively to the support of such widows and orphans.

ART. III §20 | CLASSIFICATION OF MUNICIPALITIES

The Legislature shall have power to classify counties, cities, boroughs, school districts, and townships according to population, and all laws passed relating to each class, and all laws passed relating to, and regulating procedure and proceedings in court with reference to, any class, shall be deemed general legislation within the meaning of this Constitution.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 renumbered former section 20 to present section 31 and amended and renumbered former section 34 to present section 20.

1923 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 added present section 20 (formerly section 34).

ART. III §21 | LAND TITLE REGISTRATION

Laws may be passed providing for a system of registering, transferring, insuring of and guaranteeing land titles by the State, or by the counties thereof, and for settling and determining adverse or other claims to and interest in lands the titles to which are so registered, transferred, insured, and guaranteed; and for the creation and collection of indemnity funds; and for carrying the system and powers hereby provided for into effect by such existing courts as may be designated by the Legislature. Such laws may provide for continuing the registering, transferring, insuring, and guaranteeing such titles after the first or original registration has been perfected by the court, and provision may be made for raising the necessary funds for expenses and salaries of officers, which shall be paid out of the treasury of the several counties.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 renumbered former section 21 to present section 18 and amended and numbered present section 21.

1915 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.4 added the provisions of this section without article or section number.

ART. III §22 | STATE PURCHASES

The General Assembly shall maintain by law a system of competitive bidding under which all purchases of materials, printing, supplies or other personal property used by the government of this Commonwealth shall so far as practicable be made. The law shall provide that no officer or employee of the Commonwealth shall be in any way interested in any purchase made by the Commonwealth under contract or otherwise.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 repealed former section 22 and added present section 22. The subject matter of present section 22 was formerly contained in section 12.

ART. III §23 | CHANGE OF VENUE

The power to change the venue in civil and criminal cases shall be vested in the courts, to be exercised in such manner as shall be provided by law.

ART. III §24 | PAYING OUT PUBLIC MONEYS

No money shall be paid out of the treasury, except on appropriations made by law and on warrant issued by the proper officers; but cash refunds of taxes, licenses, fees and other charges paid or collected, but not legally due, may be paid, as provided by law, without appropriation from the fund into which they were paid on warrant of the proper officer.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 24 was repealed and present section 24 was renumbered from former section 16 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §25 | EMERGENCY SEATS OF GOVERNMENT

The General Assembly may provide, by law, during any session, for the continuity of the executive, legislative, and judicial functions of the government of the Commonwealth, and its political subdivisions, and the establishment of emergency seats thereof and any such laws heretofore enacted are validated. Such legislation shall become effective in the event of an attack by an enemy of the United States.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 renumbered former section 25 to present section 12 and amended and renumbered former section 35 to present section 25.

1963 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 added present section 25 (formerly section 35).

ART. III §26 | EXTRA COMPENSATION PROHIBITED; CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMMONWEALTH; PENSIONS

No bill shall be passed giving any extra compensation to any public officer, servant, employee, agent or contractor, after services shall have been rendered or contract made, nor providing for the payment of any claim against the Commonwealth without previous authority of law: Provided, however, That nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit the General Assembly from authorizing the increase of retirement allowances or pensions of members of a retirement or pension system now in effect or hereafter legally constituted by the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, after the termination of the services of said member.

Amendments

Rejection of Proposed 1981 Amendment.

The question of amending section 26 to permit the General Assembly to authorize the increase of retirement benefits or pensions payable to beneficiaries who are spouses of members of a retirement or pension system, as more fully set forth in Joint Resolution No.2 of 1981, was submitted to the electors at the municipal election on November 3, 1981, and was rejected. Section 1 of Article XI prohibits the submission of an amendment more often than once in five years.

Prior Provisions.

Former section 26 was renumbered to present section 9 and present section 26 was renumbered from former section 11 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §27 | CHANGES IN TERM OF OFFICE OR SALARY PROHIBITED

No law shall extend the term of any public officer, or increase or diminish his salary or emoluments, after his election or appointment.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 27 was repealed and present section 27 was renumbered from former section 13 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §28 | CHANGE OF PERMANENT LOCATION OF STATE CAPITAL

No law changing the permanent location of the Capital of the State shall be valid until the same shall have been submitted to the qualified electors of the Commonwealth at a general election and ratified and approved by them.

ART. III §29 | APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, MILITARY SERVICE, SCHOLARSHIPS

No appropriation shall be made for charitable, educational or benevolent purposes to any person or community nor to any denominational and sectarian institution, corporation or association: Provided, That appropriations may be made for pensions or gratuities for military service and to blind persons 21 years of age and upwards and for assistance to mothers having dependent children and to aged persons without adequate means of support and in the form of scholarship grants or loans for higher educational purposes to residents of the Commonwealth enrolled in institutions of higher learning except that no scholarship, grants or loans for higher educational purposes shall be given to persons enrolled in a theological seminary or school of theology.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 29 was repealed and present section 29 was renumbered from former section 18 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

Cross References.

Section 29 is referred to in section 17 of Article VIII (Taxation and Finance).

ART. III §30 | CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL APPROPRIATIONS

No appropriation shall be made to any charitable or educational institution not under the absolute control of the Commonwealth, other than normal schools established by law for the professional training of teachers for the public schools of the State, except by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each House.

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Former section 30 was repealed and present section 30 was renumbered from former section 17 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3.

ART. III §31 | DELEGATION OF CERTAIN POWERS PROHIBITED

The General Assembly shall not delegate to any special commission, private corporation or association, any power to make, supervise or interfere with any municipal improvement, money, property or effects, whether held in trust or otherwise, or to levy taxes or perform any municipal function whatever.

Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation or any other provision of the Constitution, the General Assembly may enact laws which provide that the findings of panels or commissions, selected and acting in accordance with law for the adjustment or settlement of grievances or disputes or for collective bargaining between policemen and firemen and their public employers shall be binding upon all parties and shall constitute a mandate to the head of the political subdivision which is the employer, or to the appropriate officer of the Commonwealth if the Commonwealth is the employer, with respect to matters which can be remedied by administrative action, and to the lawmaking body of such political subdivision or of the Commonwealth, with respect to matters which require legislative action, to take the action necessary to carry out such findings.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 repealed former section 31 and renumbered former section 20 to present section 31.

ART. III §32 | CERTAIN LOCAL AND SPECIAL LAWS

The General Assembly shall pass no local or special law in any case which has been or can be provided for by general law and specifically the General Assembly shall not pass any local or special law:

1. Regulating the affairs of counties, cities, townships, wards, boroughs or school districts:

2. Vacating roads, town plats, streets or alleys:

3. Locating or changing county seats, erecting new counties or changing county lines:

4. Erecting new townships or boroughs, changing township lines, borough limits or school districts:

5. Remitting fines, penalties and forfeitures, or refunding moneys legally paid into the treasury:

6. Exempting property from taxation:

7. Regulating labor, trade, mining or manufacturing:

8. Creating corporations, or amending, renewing or extending the charters thereof:

Nor shall the General Assembly indirectly enact any special or local law by the partial repeal of a general law; but laws repealing local or special acts may be passed.

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

Joint Resolution No.3 repealed former section 32 and amended and renumbered former section 7 to present section 32.

Cross References.

Section 32 is referred to in section 13 of Article IX (Local Government).

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PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTIONARTICLE IIILEGISLATION

ART. III §0 | ARTICLE III INTRODUCTION

Adoption.

Subdivision Headings.

ART. III §1 | PASSAGE OF LAWS

ART. III §2 | REFERENCE TO COMMITTEE; PRINTING

ART. III §3 | FORM OF BILLS

ART. III §4 | CONSIDERATION OF BILLS

ART. III §5 | CONCURRING IN AMENDMENTS; CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS

ART. III §6 | REVIVAL AND AMENDMENT OF LAWS

ART. III §7 | NOTICE OF LOCAL AND SPECIAL BILLS

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §8 | SIGNING OF BILLS

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §9 | ACTION ON CONCURRENT ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §10 | REVENUE BILLS

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §11 | APPROPRIATION BILLS

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

ART. III §12 | LEGISLATION DESIGNATED BY GOVERNOR AT SPECIAL SESSIONS

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §13 | VOTE DENIED MEMBERS WITH PERSONAL INTEREST

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §14 | PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

ART. III §15 | PUBLIC SCHOOL MONEY NOT AVAILABLE TO SECTARIAN SCHOOLS

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

ART. III §16 | NATIONAL GUARD TO BE ORGANIZED AND MAINTAINED

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

ART. III §17 | APPOINTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §18 | COMPENSATION LAWS ALLOWED TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §19 | APPROPRIATIONS FOR SUPPORT OF WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF PERSONS WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES

ART. III §20 | CLASSIFICATION OF MUNICIPALITIES

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

1923 Amendment.

ART. III §21 | LAND TITLE REGISTRATION

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

1915 Amendment.

ART. III §22 | STATE PURCHASES

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

ART. III §23 | CHANGE OF VENUE

ART. III §24 | PAYING OUT PUBLIC MONEYS

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §25 | EMERGENCY SEATS OF GOVERNMENT

Amendments

1967 Amendment.

1963 Amendment.

ART. III §26 | EXTRA COMPENSATION PROHIBITED; CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMMONWEALTH; PENSIONS

Amendments

Rejection of Proposed 1981 Amendment.

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §27 | CHANGES IN TERM OF OFFICE OR SALARY PROHIBITED

Notes

Prior Provisions.

ART. III §28 | CHANGE OF PERMANENT LOCATION OF STATE CAPITAL

ART. III §29 | APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, MILITARY SERVICE, SCHOLARSHIPS

Notes

Prior Provisions.

Cross References.

ART. III §30 | CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL APPROPRIATIONS

Notes

PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE III
LEGISLATION

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