FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 12 — Article VII / Section 12
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 12. Disqualifications for service as election officer
Status: in_force

No persons shall be qualified to serve as an election officer who shall hold, or shall within two months have held any office, appointment or employment in or under the government of the United States, or of this State, or of any city, or county, or of any municipal board, commission or trust in any city, save only notaries public and persons in the National Guard or in a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States; nor shall any election officer be eligible to any civil office to be filled at an election at which he shall serve, save only to such subordinate municipal or local offices, below the grade of city or county offices, as shall be designated by general law. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1048, J.R.5) 1967 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.5 renumbered former section 12 to present section 10 and amended and renumbered former section 15 to present section 12.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 26 — Article III / Section 26
Pa. Const. art. III, § 26. Extra compensation prohibited; claims against the Commonwealth; pensions
Status: in_force

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. 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.
Pa. Const. art. II, § 8 — Article II / Section 8
Pa. Const. art. II, § 8. Compensation
Status: in_force

The members of the General Assembly shall receive such salary and mileage for regular and special sessions as shall be fixed by law, and no other compensation whatever, whether for service upon committee or otherwise. No member of either House shall during the term for which he may have been elected, receive any increase of salary, or mileage, under any law passed during such term.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 12 — Article III / Section 12
Pa. Const. art. III, § 12. Legislation designated by Governor at special sessions
Status: in_force

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. 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.
Pa. Const. art. II, § 15 — Article II / Section 15
Pa. Const. art. II, § 15. Privileges of members
Status: in_force

The members of the General Assembly shall in all cases, except treason, felony, violation of their oath of office, and breach or surety of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the sessions of their respective Houses and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House they shall not be questioned in any other place.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 11 — Article III / Section 11
Pa. Const. art. III, § 11. Appropriation bills
Status: in_force

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. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3) 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.
Pa. Const. art. V, § 29 — Article V / Section 29
Pa. Const. art. V, § 29. Persons specially admitted by local rules
Status: in_force

Any person now specially admitted to practice may continue to practice in the court of common pleas or in that division of the court of common pleas and the municipal court in the City of Philadelphia which substantially includes the practice for which such person was previously specially admitted.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 8 — Article III / Section 8
Pa. Const. art. III, § 8. Signing of bills
Status: in_force

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. 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.
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 5 — Article VII / Section 5
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 5. Electors privileged from arrest
Status: in_force

Electors shall in all cases except treason, felony and breach or surety of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance on elections and in going to and returning therefrom.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 21 — Article III / Section 21
Pa. Const. art. III, § 21. Land title registration
Status: in_force

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. 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.
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 14 — Article VIII / Section 14
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 14. Surplus
Status: in_force

All surplus of operating funds at the end of the fiscal year shall be appropriated during the ensuing fiscal year by the General Assembly. 1968 Amendment. Proposal No.4 renumbered former section 14 to present section 10 and added present section 14. Section 3 of Proposal No.4 provided that section 14 shall take effect as soon as possible but no later than July 1, 1970.
Pa. Const. art. VI, § 5 — Article VI / Section 5
Pa. Const. art. VI, § 5. Trial of impeachments
Status: in_force

All impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When sitting for that purpose the Senators shall be upon oath or affirmation. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. (May 17, 1966, 1965 P.L.1928, J.R.10) 1966 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.10 amended and renumbered former section 2 to present section 5.
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 13 — Article IV / Section 13
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 13. When Lieutenant Governor to act as Governor
Status: in_force

In the case of the death, conviction on impeachment, failure to qualify or resignation of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor for the remainder of the term and in the case of the disability of the Governor, the powers, duties and emoluments of the office shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor until the disability is removed. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1044, J.R.4) Cross References. Section 13 is referred to in section 14 of this article.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 6 — Article I / Section 6
Pa. Const. art. I, § 6. Trial by jury
Status: in_force

Trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and the right thereof remain inviolate. The General Assembly may provide, however, by law, that a verdict may be rendered by not less than five-sixths of the jury in any civil case. Furthermore, in criminal cases the Commonwealth shall have the same right to trial by jury as does the accused. (May 18, 1971, P.L.765, J.R.1; Nov. 3, 1998, P.L.1328, J.R.2)
Pa. Const. art. V, § 6 — Article V / Section 6
Pa. Const. art. V, § 6. Courts of common pleas in multi-county judicial districts
Status: in_force

Courts of common pleas in multi-county judicial districts are abolished as separate courts and are hereby constituted as branches of the single court of common pleas established under this article in each such judicial district.
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 4 — Article VII / Section 4
Pa. Const. art. VII, § 4. Method of elections; secrecy in voting
Status: in_force

All elections by the citizens shall be by ballot or by such other method as may be prescribed by law: Provided, That secrecy in voting be preserved.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 17 — Article I / Section 17
Pa. Const. art. I, § 17. Ex post facto laws; impairment of contracts
Status: in_force

No ex post facto law, nor any law impairing the obligation of contracts, or making irrevocable any grant of special privileges or immunities, shall be passed.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 9 — Article III / Section 9
Pa. Const. art. III, § 9. Action on concurrent orders and resolutions
Status: in_force

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. (May 18, 2021, P.L.493, J.R.1) 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.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 22 — Article I / Section 22
Pa. Const. art. I, § 22. Standing army; military subordinate to civil power
Status: in_force

No standing army shall, in time of peace, be kept up without the consent of the Legislature, and the military shall in all cases and at all times be in strict subordination to the civil power.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 4 — Article I / Section 4
Pa. Const. art. I, § 4. Religion
Status: in_force

No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth.
Pa. Const. art. V, § 3 — Article V / Section 3
Pa. Const. art. V, § 3. Commonwealth Court
Status: in_force

The Commonwealth Court shall come into existence on January 1, 1970. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this article, the General Assembly shall stagger the initial terms of judges of the Commonwealth Court.
Pa. Const. art. III, § 28 — Article III / Section 28
Pa. Const. art. III, § 28. Change of permanent location of State Capital
Status: in_force

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. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1037, J.R.3)
Pa. Const. art. I, § 20 — Article I / Section 20
Pa. Const. art. I, § 20. Right of petition
Status: in_force

The citizens have a right in a peaceable manner to assemble together for their common good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances or other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance.
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 5 — Article VIII / Section 5
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 5. Exemption from taxation restricted
Status: in_force

All laws exempting property from taxation, other than the property above enumerated, shall be void. Prior Provisions. Former section 5 was repealed by amendment of April 23, 1968, P.L.App.5, Prop. No.3, and present section 5 was renumbered from former section 2 by amendment of April 23, 1968, P.L.App.9, Prop. No.5.
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 4 — Article VIII / Section 4
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 4. Public utilities
Status: in_force

The real property of public utilities is subject to real estate taxes imposed by local taxing authorities. Payment to the Commonwealth of gross receipts taxes or other special taxes in replacement of gross receipts taxes by a public utility and the distribution by the Commonwealth to the local taxing authorities of the amount as herein provided shall, however, be in lieu of local taxes upon its real property which is used or useful in furnishing its public utility service. The amount raised annually by such gross receipts or other special taxes shall not be less than the gross amount of real estate taxes which the local taxing authorities could have imposed upon such real property but for the exemption herein provided. This gross amount shall be determined in the manner provided by law. An amount equivalent to such real estate taxes shall be distributed annually among all local taxing authorities in the proportion which the total tax receipts of each local taxing authority bear to the total tax receipts of all local taxing authorities, or in such other equitable proportions as may be provided by law. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any law which presently subjects real property of public utilities to local real estate taxation by local taxing authorities shall remain in full force and effect. 1968 Amendment. Proposal No.5 added present section 4. Section 4 of Proposal No.5 provided that section 4 shall take effect July 1, 1970, unless the General Assembly earlier provides enabling legislation in accordance therewith. Prior Provisions. Former section 4 was both repealed and renumbered to present section 7 by amendment of April 23, 1968, P.L.App.5, Prop. No.3.
Pa. Const. art. V, § 2 — Article V / Section 2
Pa. Const. art. V, § 2. The Superior Court
Status: in_force

Until otherwise provided by law, the Superior Court shall exercise all the jurisdiction now vested in the present Superior Court. The present terms of all judges of the Superior Court which would otherwise expire on the first Monday of January in an odd-numbered year shall be extended to expire in the even-numbered year next following. Partial Suspension by Statute. The first sentence of section 2 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. V, § 15 — Article V / Section 15
Pa. Const. art. V, § 15. Prothonotaries, clerks of courts, clerks of orphans' courts
Status: in_force

Until otherwise provided by law, the offices of prothonotary and clerk of courts shall become the offices of prothonotary and clerk of courts of the court of common pleas of the judicial district, and in multi-county judicial districts of their county's branch of the court of common pleas, and the clerk of the orphans' court in a judicial district now having a separate orphans' court shall become the clerk of the orphans' court division of the court of common pleas, and these officers shall continue to perform the duties of the office and to maintain and be responsible for the records, books and dockets as heretofore. In judicial districts where the clerk of the orphans' court is not the register of wills, he shall continue to perform the duties of the office and to maintain and be responsible for the records, books and dockets as heretofore until otherwise provided by law. THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Pa. Const. art. I, § 21 — Article I / Section 21
Pa. Const. art. I, § 21. Right to bear arms
Status: in_force

The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.
Pa. Const. art. II, § 11 — Article II / Section 11
Pa. Const. art. II, § 11. Powers of each house; expulsion
Status: in_force

Each House shall have power to determine the rules of its proceedings and punish its members or other persons for contempt or disorderly behavior in its presence, to enforce obedience to its process, to protect its members against violence or offers of bribes or private solicitation, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, to expel a member, but not a second time for the same cause, and shall have all other powers necessary for the Legislature of a free State. A member expelled for corruption shall not thereafter be eligible to either House, and punishment for contempt or disorderly behavior shall not bar an indictment for the same offense.
Pa. Const. art. II, § 5 — Article II / Section 5
Pa. Const. art. II, § 5. Qualifications of members
Status: in_force

Senators shall be at least 25 years of age and Representatives 21 years of age. They shall have been citizens and inhabitants of the State four years, and inhabitants of their respective districts one year next before their election (unless absent on the public business of the United States or of this State), and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service.
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 17 — Article VIII / Section 17
Pa. Const. art. VIII, § 17. Special emergency legislation
Status: in_force

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Constitution to the contrary, the General Assembly shall have the authority to enact laws providing for tax rebates, credits, exemptions, grants-in-aid, State supplementations, or otherwise provide special provisions for individuals, corporations, associations or nonprofit institutions, including nonpublic schools (whether sectarian or nonsectarian) in order to alleviate the danger, damage, suffering or hardship faced by such individuals, corporations, associations, institutions or nonpublic schools as a result of Great Storms or Floods of September 1971, of June 1972, or of 1974, or of 1975 or of 1976. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Article III, section 29 subsequent to a Presidential declaration of an emergency or of a major disaster in any part of this Commonwealth, the General Assembly shall have the authority by a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each House to make appropriations limited to moneys required for Federal emergency or major disaster relief. This subsection may apply retroactively to any Presidential declaration of an emergency or of a major disaster in 1976 or 1977. (Nov. 7, 1972, 1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1970, J.R.1; Nov. 4, 1975, P.L.622, J.R.2; Nov. 8, 1977, P.L.362, J.R.2) 1977 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.2 amended and lettered existing provisions subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b) under the emergency provisions of Article XI. For preamble to amendment, see section 1 of Joint Resolution No.2 in the appendix to the Constitution. 1975 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.2 amended section 17 under the emergency provisions of section 1(a) and (b) of Article XI. For preamble to amendment, see section 1 of Joint Resolution No.2 in the appendix to the Constitution. 1972 Amendment. Joint Resolution No.1 added present section 17 under the emergency provisions of section 1(a) and (b) of Article XI. For preamble to amendment, see section 1 of Joint Resolution No.1 in the appendix to the Constitution. Prior Provisions. Former section 17 was repealed by amendment of April 23, 1968, P.L.App.5, Prop. No.3.
Pa. Const. art. II, § 12 — Article II / Section 12
Pa. Const. art. II, § 12. Journals; yeas and nays
Status: in_force

Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings and from time to time publish the same, except such parts as require secrecy, and the yeas and nays of the members on any question shall, at the desire of any two of them, be entered on the journal.
Pa. Const. art. V, § 8 — Article V / Section 8
Pa. Const. art. V, § 8. Justices, judges and justices of the peace
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision in the article, a present justice, judge or justice of the peace may complete his term of office.
Pa. Const. art. I, § 14 — Article I / Section 14
Pa. Const. art. I, § 14. Prisoners to be bailable; habeas corpus
Status: in_force

All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offenses or for offenses for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment or unless no condition or combination of conditions other than imprisonment will reasonably assure the safety of any person and the community when the proof is evident or presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in case of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 14 — Article IV / Section 14
Pa. Const. art. IV, § 14. Vacancy in office of Lieutenant Governor
Status: in_force

In case of the death, conviction on impeachment, failure to qualify or resignation of the Lieutenant Governor, or in case he should become Governor under section 13 of this article, the President pro tempore of the Senate shall become Lieutenant Governor for the remainder of the term. In case of the disability of the Lieutenant Governor, the powers, duties and emoluments of the office shall devolve upon the President pro tempore of the Senate until the disability is removed. Should there be no Lieutenant Governor, the President pro tempore of the Senate shall become Governor if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Governor and in case of the disability of the Governor, the powers, duties and emoluments of the office shall devolve upon the President pro tempore of the Senate until the disability is removed. His seat as Senator shall become vacant whenever he shall become Governor and shall be filled by election as any other vacancy in the Senate. (May 16, 1967, P.L.1044, J.R.4)
Pa. Const. art. III, § 27 — Article III / Section 27
Pa. Const. art. III, § 27. Changes in term of office or salary prohibited
Status: in_force

No law shall extend the term of any public officer, or increase or diminish his salary or emoluments, after his election or appointment. 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. E. RESTRICTIONS ON LEGISLATIVE POWER
Pa. Const. art. III, § 24 — Article III / Section 24
Pa. Const. art. III, § 24. Paying out public moneys
Status: in_force

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. 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.