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Senate Reforms
The Senate adopted a number of rule changes during
the 2007-08 session. These included:
- Limiting session time to the hours between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
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Posting all roll call votes on the Internet no later than 24 hours after a vote
and committee votes are posted within 48 hours of the vote.
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Posting the Senate's Legislative Journal – which includes the full text of all
floor debates – on the Internet upon Senate approval of the Journal or within 45
days, whichever is earlier.
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Requiring the placement of Pennsylvania's Consolidated Statues on the Internet.
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Prohibiting the use of Senate funds to pay for automated telephone calls, or robo-calls.
During the 2007-08 Legislative Session, the Senate
passed legislation that:
- Posts
state government contracts on the Internet. Enacted into law as part of Act 3 of
2008.
- Bans
"lame duck" voting sessions – voting that occurs after a general election and
before the start of a new legislative session. Did not pass the House of
Representatives.
- Requires
the posting of governmental salary information on the Internet. Did not pass the
House of Representatives.
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Prohibits any Commonwealth agency, including the legislature and the courts,
from paying a bonus to any of its employees. Did not pass the House of
Representatives.
- Creates
a Do-Not-Call List for political robo-calls. Did not pass the House of
Representatives.
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