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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Requiring the placement of Pennsylvania's Consolidated Statues on the Internet.
• 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.
• 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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