Pennsylvania Constitution Article III.
Pennsylvania Constitution – Article III: Legislation
Article III of the Pennsylvania Constitution lays out the structure, powers, and limitations of the legislative branch of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Below is a summary of the key sections and themes:
Key Provisions of Article III:
1. Legislative Process
Bills must be read on three different days in each house (House and Senate) before final passage.
A bill must be considered for a single subject only, and the subject must be clearly expressed in the title. This is called the "single subject rule".
Amendments must be germane to the subject of the bill.
2. Appropriations and Budgeting
Appropriation bills must only deal with appropriations, except general appropriations bills for the operation of the government.
Money cannot be paid from the treasury except through appropriations made by law.
3. Special and Local Legislation Prohibited
The General Assembly is prohibited from passing special or local laws in certain categories, such as:
Changing court jurisdictions
Granting divorces
Regulating county or municipal affairs
Changing the names of individuals
Exempting property from taxation
4. Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
Members of the General Assembly must disclose personal interests in legislation.
No member can be interested financially in any contract authorized by legislation they passed.
5. Legislative Districting
Provisions related to how legislative districts are to be formed and redistricted, including population equality and compactness.
6. Public Education and Welfare
Addresses legislative responsibility toward public education and charitable institutions.
7. Miscellaneous Provisions
Prohibits laws from being revived or amended by title only—the full text must be included.
Sets rules regarding lotteries, gambling, and alcohol regulation.
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