FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Pa. Const. art. IX, § 11 — Article IX / Section 11
Pa. Const. art. IX, § 11. Local reapportionment
Status: in_force

Within the year following that in which the Federal decennial census is officially reported as required by Federal law, and at such other times as the governing body of any municipality shall deem necessary, each municipality having a governing body not entirely elected at large shall be reapportioned, by its governing body or as shall otherwise be provided by uniform law, into districts which shall be composed of compact and contiguous territory as nearly equal in population as practicable, for the purpose of describing the districts for those not elected at large.
Pa. Const. art. V, § 10 — Article V / Section 10
Pa. Const. art. V, § 10. Retention election of present justices and judges
Status: in_force

A present judge who was originally elected to office and seeks retention in the 1969 municipal election and is otherwise eligible may file his declaration of candidacy by February 1, 1969.
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 14 — Article VII / Section 14
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 14. Absentee voting
Status: in_force

(a) The Legislature shall, by general law, provide a manner in which, and the time and place at which, qualified electors who may, on the occurrence of any election, be absent from the municipality of their residence, because their duties, occupation or business require them to be elsewhere or who, on the occurrence of any election, are unable to attend at their proper polling places because of illness or physical disability or who will not attend a polling place because of the observance of a religious holiday or who cannot vote because of election day duties, in the case of a county employee, may vote, and for the return and canvass of their votes in the election district in which they respectively reside. (b) For purposes of this section, "municipality" means a city, borough, incorporated town, township or any similar general purpose unit of government which may be created by the General Assembly. (Nov. 5, 1957, P.L.1019, J.R.1; May 16, 1967, P.L.1048, J.R.5; Nov. 5, 1985, P.L.555, J.R.1; Nov. 4, 1997, P.L.636, J.R.3) 1967 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.5 renumbered former section 14 to present section 11 and amended and renumbered former section 19 to present section 14. 1957 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.1 added present section 14 (formerly section 19).
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 13 — Article VII / Section 13
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 13. Contested elections
Status: in_force

The trial and determination of contested elections of electors of President and Vice-President, members of the General Assembly, and of all public officers, whether State, judicial, municipal or local, and contests involving questions submitted to the electors at any election shall be by the courts of law, or by one or more of the law judges thereof. The General Assembly shall, by general law, designate the courts and judges by whom the several classes of election contests shall be tried, and regulate the manner of trial and all matters incident thereto; but no such law assigning jurisdiction, or regulating its exercise, shall apply to any contest arising out of an election held before its passage. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1048, J.R.5) 1967 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.5 repealed former section 13 and amended and renumbered former section 17 to present section 13.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 29 — Article I / Section 29
Pa. Const. art. I, § 29. Prohibition against denial or abridgment of equality of rights because of race and
Status: in_force

ethnicity. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because of the race or ethnicity of the individual. (May 18, 2021, P.L.493, J.R.1) 2021 Amendment. Joint Resolution 1 added section 29.
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 2 — Article IV / Section 2
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 2. Duties of Governor; election procedure; tie or contest
Status: in_force

The supreme executive power shall be vested in the Governor, who shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed; he shall be chosen on the day of the general election, by the qualified electors of the Commonwealth, at the places where they shall vote for Representatives. The returns of every election for Governor shall be sealed up and transmitted to the seat of government, directed to the President of the Senate, who shall open and publish them in the presence of the members of both Houses of the General Assembly. The person having the highest number of votes shall be Governor, but if two or more be equal and highest in votes, one of them shall be chosen Governor by the joint vote of the members of both Houses. Contested elections shall be determined by a committee, to be selected from both Houses of the General Assembly, and formed and regulated in such manner as shall be directed by law.
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 10 — Article VII / Section 10
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 10. Viva voce elections
Status: in_force

All elections by persons in a representative capacity shall be viva voce or by automatic recording device publicly indicating how each person voted. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1048, J.R.5) 1967 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.5 renumbered former section 10 to present section 8 and amended and renumbered former section 12 to present section 10.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 6 — Article III / Section 6
Pa. Const. art. III, § 6. Revival and amendment of laws
Status: in_force

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.
Pa. Const. art. IX, § 4 — Article IX / Section 4
Pa. Const. art. IX, § 4. County government
Status: in_force

County officers shall consist of commissioners, controllers or auditors, district attorneys, public defenders, treasurers, sheriffs, registers of wills, recorders of deeds, prothonotaries, clerks of the courts, and such others as may from time to time be provided by law. County officers, except for public defenders who shall be appointed as shall be provided by law, shall be elected at the municipal elections and shall hold their offices for the term of four years, beginning on the first Monday of January next after their election, and until their successors shall be duly qualified; all vacancies shall be filled in such a manner as may be provided by law. County officers shall be paid only by salary as provided by law for services performed for the county or any other governmental unit. Fees incidental to the conduct of any county office shall be payable directly to the county or the Commonwealth, or as otherwise provided by law. Three county commissioners shall be elected in each county. In the election of these officers each qualified elector shall vote for no more than two persons, and the three persons receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. Provisions for county government in this section shall apply to every county except a county which has adopted a home rule charter or an optional form of government. One of the optional forms of county government provided by law shall include the provisions of this section.
Pa. Const. art. V, § 7 — Article V / Section 7
Pa. Const. art. V, § 7. Community courts
Status: in_force

In a judicial district which establishes a community court, a person serving as a justice of the peace at such time: (a) May complete his term exercising the jurisdiction provided by law and with the compensation provided by law, and (b) Upon completion of his term, his office is abolished and no judicial function of the kind heretofore exercised by a justice of the peace shall thereafter be exercised other than by the community court. JUSTICES, JUDGES AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
Pa. Const. art. X, § 1 — Article X / Section 1
Pa. Const. art. X, § 1. Certain unused charters void
Status: in_force

The charters and privileges granted prior to 1874 to private corporations which had not been organized in good faith and commenced business prior to 1874 shall be void.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 10 — Article III / Section 10
Pa. Const. art. III, § 10. Revenue bills
Status: in_force

All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose amendments as in other bills. 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.
Pa. Const. art. II, § 9 — Article II / Section 9
Pa. Const. art. II, § 9. Election of officers; judge of election and qualifications
Status: in_force

of members. The Senate shall, at the beginning and close of each regular session and at such other times as may be necessary, elect one of its members President pro tempore, who shall perform the duties of the Lieutenant Governor, in any case of absence or disability of that officer, and whenever the said office of Lieutenant Governor shall be vacant. The House of Representatives shall elect one of its members as Speaker. Each House shall choose its other officers, and shall judge of the election and qualifications of its members.
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 7 — Article VII / Section 7
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 7. Bribery of electors
Status: in_force

Any person who shall give, or promise or offer to give, to an elector, any money, reward or other valuable consideration for his vote at an election, or for withholding the same, or who shall give or promise to give such consideration to any other person or party for such elector's vote or for the withholding thereof, and any elector who shall receive or agree to receive, for himself or for another, any money, reward or other valuable consideration for his vote at an election, or for withholding the same, shall thereby forfeit the right to vote at such election, and any elector whose right to vote shall be challenged for such cause before the election officers, shall be required to swear or affirm that the matter of the challenge is untrue before his vote shall be received. Prior Provisions. Former section 7 was renumbered to present section 6 and present section 7 was renumbered from former section 8 by amendment of May 16, 1967, P.L.1048, J.R.5.
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 19 — Article IV / Section 19
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 19. State seal; commissions
Status: in_force

The present Great Seal of Pennsylvania shall be the seal of the State. All commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and be sealed with the State seal and signed by the Governor. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1044, J.R.4) 1967 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.4 repealed former section 19 and renumbered former section 22 to present section 19.
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 5 — Article IV / Section 5
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 5. Qualifications of Governor, Lieutenant Governor and
Status: in_force

Attorney General. No person shall be eligible to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor or Attorney General except a citizen of the United States, who shall have attained the age of 30 years, and have been seven years next preceding his election an inhabitant of this Commonwealth, unless he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States or of this Commonwealth. No person shall be eligible to the office of Attorney General except a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1044, J.R.4; May 16, 1978, 1977 P.L.365, J.R.4)
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 6 — Article VIII / Section 6
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 6. Taxation of corporations
Status: in_force

The power to tax corporations and corporate property shall not be surrendered or suspended by any contract or grant to which the Commonwealth shall be a party. 1968 Amendment. Proposal No.5 amended and renumbered former section 3 to present section 6. Prior Provisions. Former section 6 was renumbered to present section 8 by amendment of April 23, 1968, P.L.App.5, Prop. No.3.
Pa. Const. art. VI, § 1 — Article VI / Section 1
Pa. Const. art. VI, § 1. Selection of officers not otherwise provided for in
Status: in_force

Constitution. All officers, whose selection is not provided for in this Constitution, shall be elected or appointed as may be directed by law. 1966 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.10 renumbered former section 1 of this article to present section 4 and amended and renumbered section 1 of former Article XII to present section 1.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 1 — Article I / Section 1
Pa. Const. art. I, § 1. Inherent rights of mankind
Status: in_force

All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.
Pa. Const. art. V, § 1 — Article V / Section 1
Pa. Const. art. V, § 1. The Supreme Court
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court shall exercise all the powers and, until otherwise provided by law, jurisdiction now vested in the present Supreme Court and, until otherwise provided by law, the accused in all cases of felonious homicide shall have the right of appeal to the Supreme Court. Partial Suspension by Statute. Section 1 (except insofar as it relates to the powers of the Supreme Court) was superseded and suspended by section 509(c) of the act of July 31, 1970 (P.L.673, No.223), known as the Appellate Court Jurisdiction Act of 1970, now repealed, and by section 26(a) of the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.586, No.142), known as the Judiciary Act of 1976.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 8 — Article I / Section 8
Pa. Const. art. I, § 8. Security from searches and seizures
Status: in_force

The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions from unreasonable searches and seizures, and no warrant to search any place or to seize any person or things shall issue without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation subscribed to by the affiant.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 13 — Article I / Section 13
Pa. Const. art. I, § 13. Bail, fines and punishments
Status: in_force

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel punishments inflicted.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 15 — Article III / Section 15
Pa. Const. art. III, § 15. Public school money not available to sectarian schools
Status: in_force

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. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3) 1967 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.3 renumbered former section 15 to present section 11 and renumbered section 2 of former Article X (Education) to present section 15. C. NATIONAL GUARD
Pa. Const. art. IX, § 14 — Article IX / Section 14
Pa. Const. art. IX, § 14. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this article, the following words shall have the following meanings: "Municipality" means a county, city, borough, incorporated town, township or any similar general purpose unit of government which shall hereafter be created by the General Assembly. "Initiative" means the filing with the applicable election officials at least 90 days prior to the next primary or general election of a petition containing a proposal for referendum signed by electors comprising 5% of the number of electors voting for the office of Governor in the last gubernatorial general election in each municipality or area affected. The applicable election official shall place the proposal on the ballot in a manner fairly representing the content of the petition for decision by referendum at said election. Initiative on a similar question shall not be submitted more often than once in five years. No enabling law shall be required for initiative. "Referendum" means approval of a question placed on the ballot, by initiative or otherwise, by a majority vote of the electors voting thereon.
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 9 — Article IV / Section 9
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 9. Pardoning power; Board of Pardons
Status: in_force

(a) In all criminal cases except impeachment the Governor shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures, to grant reprieves, commutation of sentences and pardons; but no pardon shall be granted, nor sentence commuted, except on the recommendation in writing of a majority of the Board of Pardons, and, in the case of a sentence of death or life imprisonment, on the unanimous recommendation in writing of the Board of Pardons, after full hearing in open session, upon due public notice. The recommendation, with the reasons therefor at length, shall be delivered to the Governor and a copy thereof shall be kept on file in the office of the Lieutenant Governor in a docket kept for that purpose. (b) The Board of Pardons shall consist of the Lieutenant Governor who shall be chairman, the Attorney General and three members appointed by the Governor with the consent of a majority of the members elected to the Senate for terms of six years. The three members appointed by the Governor shall be residents of Pennsylvania. One shall be a crime victim, one a corrections expert and the third a doctor of medicine, psychiatrist or psychologist. The board shall keep records of its actions, which shall at all times be open for public inspection. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1044, J.R.4; May 20, 1975, P.L.619, J.R.1; Nov. 4, 1997, P.L.634, J.R.2)
Pa. Const. art. IX, § 12 — Article IX / Section 12
Pa. Const. art. IX, § 12. Philadelphia debt
Status: in_force

The debt of the City of Philadelphia may be increased in such amount that the total debt of said city shall not exceed 13 1/2% of the average of the annual assessed valuations of the taxable realty therein, during the ten years immediately preceding the year in which such increase is made, but said city shall not increase its indebtedness to an amount exceeding 3% upon such average assessed valuation of realty, without the consent of the electors thereof at a public election held in such manner as shall be provided by law. In ascertaining the debt-incurring capacity of the City of Philadelphia at any time, there shall be deducted from the debt of said city so much of such debt as shall have been incurred, or is about to be incurred, and the proceeds thereof expended, or about to be expended, upon any public improvement, or in construction, purchase or condemnation of any public utility, or part thereof, or facility therefor, if such public improvement or public utility, or part thereof, or facility therefor, whether separately, or in connection with any other public improvement or public utility, or part thereof, or facility therefor, may reasonably be expected to yield revenue in excess of operating expenses sufficient to pay the interest and sinking fund charges thereon. The method of determining such amount, so to be deducted, shall be as now prescribed, or which may hereafter be prescribed by law. In incurring indebtedness for any purpose the City of Philadelphia may issue its obligations maturing not later than 50 years from the date thereof, with provision for a sinking fund to be in equal or graded annual or other periodical installments. Where any indebtedness shall be or shall have been incurred by said City of Philadelphia for the purpose of the construction or improvement of public works or utilities of any character, from which income or revenue is to be derived by said city, or for the reclamation of land to be used in the construction of wharves or docks owned or to be owned by said city, such obligations may be in an amount sufficient to provide for, and may include the amount of the interest and sinking fund charges accruing and which may accrue thereon throughout the period of construction, and until the expiration of one year after the completion of the work for which said indebtedness shall have been incurred. No debt shall be incurred by, or on behalf of, the County of Philadelphia.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 5 — Article III / Section 5
Pa. Const. art. III, § 5. Concurring in amendments; conference committee reports
Status: in_force

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.
Pa. Const. art. V, § 4 — Article V / Section 4
Pa. Const. art. V, § 4. The courts of common pleas
Status: in_force

Until otherwise provided by law, the several courts of common pleas shall exercise the jurisdiction now vested in the present courts of common pleas. The courts of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery, quarter sessions of the peace, and orphans' courts are abolished and the several courts of common pleas shall also exercise the jurisdiction of these courts. Orphans' courts in judicial districts having separate orphans' courts shall become orphans' court divisions of the courts of common pleas and the court of common pleas in those judicial districts shall exercise the jurisdiction presently exercised by the separate orphans' courts through their respective orphans' court division. Suspension by Statute. Section 4 was superseded and suspended in part by section 509(c) of the act of July 31, 1970 (P.L.673, No.223), known as the Appellate Court Jurisdiction Act of 1970, now repealed, and was superseded and suspended by section 26(a) of the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.586, No.142), known as the Judiciary Act of 1976.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 12 — Article I / Section 12
Pa. Const. art. I, § 12. Power of suspending laws
Status: in_force

No power of suspending laws shall be exercised unless by the Legislature or by its authority.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 18 — Article III / Section 18
Pa. Const. art. III, § 18. Compensation laws allowed to General Assembly
Status: in_force

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. 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.