reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter A - PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS › Section 13.2 - Scope and application of Subpart

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General.
This Subpart
					 sets forth principles and procedures applicable to drafting bills and other
					 legislative documents generally but does not apply to the extent that Subpart D
					 of this Title (relating to the Consolidated Pennsylvania Statutes Style Manual)
					 is applicable and sets forth inconsistent principles and procedures or to the
					 extent that exceptions or variations are necessary to conform to the structure
					 and style of a statute which is being amended.
(b)
Conformity to Consolidated
					 Statutes.
In drafting original enactments which are not incorporated
					 into the Consolidated Pennsylvania Statutes, the structure and style prescribed
					 in Subpart D of this Title should be followed to the maximum extent possible to
					 achieve uniformity of style and to simplify the eventual incorporation of the
					 enactment into the Consolidated Statutes.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter A - PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS › Section 13.3 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The following words and terms, when used in this Subpart
						shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
						otherwise:
Act
-Act of November 25, 1970 (P. L.
						707, No.230), known as the Consolidated Pennsylvania Statutes.
Bureau
-The Legislative Reference
						Bureau.
Commonwealth agency
-The Governor or any
						department, departmental board or commission, independent board or commission,
						legislative service agency or other officer or agency of the Commonwealth.
Constitution
-The Constitution of
						Pennsylvania.
Legislative document
-A bill, resolution,
						motion, legislative citation, conference report, reorganization plan,
						supplemental assistance plan, bill analysis or amendment to a bill or
						resolution.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS › Section 13.11 - Scope of drafting

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The work of bill drafting includes the preparation of
						  legislative documents used in the legislative process. Those most frequently in
						  demand are bills, resolutions, amendments to bills and resolutions, citations
						  and conference reports.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS › Section 13.12 - Objectives in drafting

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The prime objective of the draftsman is to express
						  himself in form and language so that there can be no doubt in the mind of any
						  intelligent reader as to what is sought to be accomplished. This is true in all
						  his work and especially true in writing bills. Perfection in bill drafting is
						  attained only when a person reading in bad faith cannot pretend to
						  misunderstand. The pinnacle of perfection here as in other matters is probably
						  never attained. Success is measured by how near to it one
						  comes.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS › Section 13.13 - Duty of draftsman

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General.
It is not always possible to foresee and provide for
						every situation that should be covered by a bill. While this may be primarily
						the function of the proponents of a measure, the draftsman fails in his calling
						who does not detect and supply or suggest an omission or an error in the
						proposal as submitted to him. Frequently the application and details are left
						entirely to the draftsman. It is always his duty to guard against violations of
						the Constitution and unintended effect on existing law.
(b)
Amendatory bills.
Before
						preparing an amendatory bill, it is necessary to make a proper search of prior
						amendments to the provision to be amended. Where the provision has been
						amended, it is necessary to ascertain that the last amendment has taken into
						consideration all preceding amendments. This is particularly important in the
						case of sections amended more than once in the same legislative
						session.
(c)
Amendments to
						bills.
In preparing amendments to bills, the draftsman must be sure
						that he is working with the correct print of the bill and must check prior
						amendments to the statute to be amended, if any, as well as the title,
						effective date and the proofreading correction file.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS › Section 13.14 - Changes in prepared drafts

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Frequently the request for a bill is made in the form
						  of a prepared draft, where all the language or changes in language has already
						  been supplied. In such cases it is the function of the draftsman to check it
						  for accuracy and consistency with other laws and to make necessary changes and
						  corrections.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS › Section 13.15 - Identifying source of request

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
It is the duty of the draftsman to indicate on each
						  document whether it is for the Senate, House or a Commonwealth agency, together
						  with the name of the person requesting the document.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS › Section 13.16 - Subject classification of document

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
In order to be able readily to find office files of
						  work prepared by the Bureau, bills and resolutions are classified by general
						  subjects in accordance with a schedule established by the Bureau. In writing
						  bills and resolutions, it is the duty of the draftsman to select the most
						  appropriate category and place its number at the top of his draft. If more than
						  one subject seems applicable, the class that has the most restricted scope is
						  used. In amendatory bills, the subject of the amendment governs, not the
						  general subject of the statute amended. The transcriber uses this number on the
						  Bureau folder and on the tracer card. Amendments to bills and conference
						  reports are filed according to bill numbers and require no classification
						  number.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING AIDS › Section 13.21 - Existing law

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Preliminary search.
On being given an assignment, the
						draftsman first finds the present statute on the subject if there is one. The
						index to Purdon's Statutes is the most comprehensive guide to this information.
						The indexes in the Laws of Pennsylvania may be helpful if there is reason to
						believe that the statute is of a particular year or period of time. If the
						statute on the general subject has been compiled in a bulletin, the table of
						contents and index of the bulletin may be consulted.
(b)
Full text computer
						search.
The entire text of Purdon's Statutes is presently available in
						computer-searchable form through the facilities of the Legislative Date
						Processing Center, Room 47, Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. By
						framing an appropriate search question it is possible to locate all sections of
						Purdon's Statutes which contain a specified word, term or phrase.
(c)
Existing law adequate.
At times the preliminary search reveals that what is proposed is already the
						law. In that case the attention of the proponent is called to that fact and no
						bill will be prepared.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING AIDS › Section 13.22 - Bills of current session

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
As a session progresses and the number of bills
						  presented increases, it becomes more and more important to check the weekly
						  histories of the current session for identical or similar bills. If the same
						  bill has already been introduced in either house, the attention of the person
						  requesting the bill is called to this fact so that he may determine whether he
						  nevertheless wants it in the same or a different form.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING AIDS › Section 13.23 - Bills of past sessions

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General.
The next step is to determine whether the desired
						bill has been introduced at or prepared for an earlier legislative session. For
						this, the indexes of bills in the Senate and House histories are used. It is
						usually not worthwhile going back more than two or three sessions. The Bureau's
						typewritten drafts filed under the appropriate classification number are also
						helpful. If a bill is found that accomplishes what is requested or something
						similar to it, it can be revised in much less time than it takes to write a new
						bill.
(b)
Precautions.
No bill prepared for an earlier session is used
						without checking for changes in the law since it was prepared, nor without
						being quite sure that all dates appearing in the draft are made current. It is
						also frequently possible to improve the style and substance of the draft. It
						must not be assumed that because a bill has been used it is perfect. A great
						many very badly drawn bills are introduced each legislative session. It is
						particularly important to review an earlier bill with a view to conforming it
						to intervening changes in related laws (e.g. appeal procedures, change in names
						of government agencies, etc.).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING AIDS › Section 13.24 - Laws and bills of other states

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
If a similar request has been presented in another
						  state, the bill or statute, if enacted, from that state usually is very
						  helpful. In many cases there may be several states with statutes or bills on
						  the subject. A comparison of them invariably proves fruitful. In following a
						  draft of another state, it is necessary to change it throughout to conform to
						  Pennsylvania statutes and terminology. Copies of statutes and bills of other
						  states are usually furnished promptly by legislative service agencies in the
						  various states. Information as to what states have laws or bills on a subject
						  can usually be obtained from the Council of State Governments, Iron Works Pike,
						  Lexington, Kentucky, 40505.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING AIDS › Section 13.25 - Suggested state legislation

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Annually, the Council of State Governments publishes a
						  volume containing and entitled Suggested State Legislation, covering a variety
						  of subjects. In addition, a cumulative index covering suggested state
						  legislation for the years 1941 through 1973 has been published. Both
						  publications are available in the Bureau library and provide a good source of
						  suggestions for drafting bills.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › DRAFTING AIDS › Section 13.26 - Uniform state laws

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Periodically, the Commissioners on Uniform State Laws
						  draft uniform and model statutes for consideration and adoption by states.
						  Numerous uniform statutes have already been enacted in Pennsylvania. Copies of
						  uniform and model statutes may be obtained from The National Conference on
						  Uniform State Laws, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 510, Chicago, Illinois,
						  60611.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › TRANSCRIBING DOCUMENTS AND FOLDERS › Section 13.31 - Headers

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General.
In the upper left hand corner of the first page of
						each document prepared by the Bureau appear the initials of the draftsman and
						transcriber, the date and, if applicable, the classification number as follows:
"CM:KC 05/24/73 # 54."
(b)
Computer documents.
On
						documents inserted into the computer, an additional identification is included
						as follows:
"1973D03638 03638 CM:KC 05/24/73 # 54."
(c)
Printed
						bills.
Printed bills contain an identification code on the bottom of
						the last page as follows:
"A22L54JR/1973OH2031B3638."
In the foregoing example:
(1) A means January, B means February,
						etc.
(2) 22 is the day of the
						month.
(3) L means the document was
						approved by the Bureau. S is used where the document is prepared or submitted
						without change.
(4) 54 is the
						subject classification code used by the Bureau.
(5) JR are the initials of the
						draftsman.
(6) 1973 is the session
						year.
(7) O means regular session.
						1 is used for Special Session No. 1, 2 for Special Session No. 2,
						etc.
(8) H2031 means House Bill No.
						2031.
(9) B means bill. R is used
						for resolution.
(10) 3638 is the
						Printer's No. of the bill.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › TRANSCRIBING DOCUMENTS AND FOLDERS › Section 13.32 - Page and line numbers

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The pages of each document consisting of more than one
						  page are numbered beginning with page 2. A document inserted in the computer
						  may contain line numbers at the left hand margin beginning with number 1 on
						  each page.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › TRANSCRIBING DOCUMENTS AND FOLDERS › Section 13.33 - Spacing

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Except for titles in bills and joint resolutions, all
						  transcribing is done double-spaced.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › TRANSCRIBING DOCUMENTS AND FOLDERS › Section 13.34 - Distribution folders

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
All final documents, except conference reports, for
						  distribution to members or other persons are placed in a manila folder
						  containing a gummed label on which is typed the name of the person for whom the
						  document was prepared (preceded by the word "Honorable" for members and others
						  entitled to distinction), and if requested by someone else "Requested by"
						  followed by the name of the requester; and, except for bills, in the lower left
						  hand corner, the words, "Resolution," "Citation," "Amendments to Senate Bill
						  No. 38," or "Amendments to House Bill No. 44," as the case may be. Most work
						  done by the Bureau must have the name of the Bureau stamped on it. On bills
						  this is printed on all four of the backed copies, on the part of the cover
						  folded over the front of the bill. On resolutions, citations and amendments to
						  bills the top of the first page of the first three copies is stamped.
						  Conference reports are not stamped.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › TRANSCRIBING DOCUMENTS AND FOLDERS › Section 13.35 - Bureau folders

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Copies of final documents and related material are
						  placed in a manila folder containing a gummed label on which is typed, in the
						  upper left hand corner, the classification number, if any, and the initials of
						  the draftsman and transcriber. In the upper right hand corner of the label is
						  typed the name of the person requesting the document and immediately below, the
						  date on which the document was made. Immediately below, centered on the label,
						  appears the title of the bill and storage information. On documents other than
						  bills the words "Resolution," "Citation," or "Amendment," appears in lieu of
						  the title accompanied by the bill number being amended or the subject matter of
						  the resolution or citation.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF BILL COVERS › Section 13.41 - Number and type

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Regardless of how many copies of a bill have been made,
						  if it is a final draft, four copies are backed with a bill cover on which is
						  endorsed in printing the form prescribed for bill covers. Three different types
						  of covers are provided. In the absence of specific instructions to the
						  contrary, yellow covers are placed on bills prepared for Senators, blue covers
						  on bills prepared for House members, and green covers on all other
						  bills.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF BILL COVERS › Section 13.42 - Bill identification and number

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
At the top of the printed form on the back of the bill
						  cover appear the words:
"Senate No. _______," "House No. _______," or "No.
						  _______," as the case may be. The number is filled in when the bill is
						  introduced.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF BILL COVERS › Section 13.43 - Type of bill

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Immediately following the bill number, appear the words
						  "An Act." If the bill is a supplement or joint resolution, these words are
						  stricken and in their place the words "A Supplement," or "A Joint Resolution,"
						  as the case may be, are inserted.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF BILL COVERS › Section 13.44 - Title of original bills

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
In the space following the type of bill designation,
						  the balance of the title is written in single space. The first line is brought
						  out to the margin. The balance is indented two spaces. If the title is short
						  and the space permits writing the whole title without crowding, the whole title
						  is written. Otherwise, the first part of the title is written as far as it can
						  be included without crowding, and the balance of the title is omitted,
						  substituting three asterisks to indicate omission, unless the last provision of
						  the title refers to making an appropriation, in which case this reference is
						  added after the asterisks.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF BILL COVERS › Section 13.45 - Title of amendatory bill

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The title shows the citation of the statute amended,
						  its title or short title in quotes and the new matter. The official or
						  unofficial short title is used, if the statute amended has one. If there is no
						  short title and the title of the statute amended is long, enough of the title
						  is copied to give some indication of what the statute is about, followed by
						  three asterisks inside the quotation marks. If the new matter is too long to go
						  on the cover, as much as is possible is added followed by three asterisks to
						  indicate omission.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF BILL COVERS › Section 13.46 - Title of supplement or joint resolution

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The titles for supplement bills and joint resolutions
						  are written the same as for other bills with such variations as are necessary
						  to conform to the title of the bill or joint resolution.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF BILL COVERS › Section 13.47 - Date lines

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Besides the title, the only thing that is typed on the
						  bill covers is completing the year on each of three date lines. The remaining
						  blanks are filled in when the bill is introduced and reported from
						  committee.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF TRACER CARDS › Section 13.51 - Requester and classification number

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
For each bill and resolution a tracer card is prepared.
						  On this card appears first the name of the person for whom the bill or
						  resolution is prepared. Immediately following, appear the words "House,"
						  "Senate," "Dept.," and "Misc.". Underscoring is used to indicate whether the
						  person whose name appears above is a Senator, a member of the House of
						  Representatives, an officer or employee of a Commonwealth agency, or if he does
						  not fit in any of these classifications, miscellaneous. In the upper right hand
						  corner appears the classification number of the bill or
						  resolution.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF TRACER CARDS › Section 13.52 - Subject

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The next space is designated "subject." In this space
						  is indicated what the bill or resolution is about. If it is a bill amending an
						  existing statute, included, in figures, is the year, page in the Laws of
						  Pennsylvania and number of the statute being amended.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF TRACER CARDS › Section 13.53 - Draftsman and transcriber

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Below the subject to the left is a space indicated
						  "Drafted by." In this space is inserted the name or initials of the draftsman.
						  The next space designated "Typed by" is for the name or initials of the
						  transcriber.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF TRACER CARDS › Section 13.54 - Delivery information

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The following space designated "Delivered by ________
						  Date" is left blank. This is completed when the documents are picked up at the
						  Bureau.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF TRACER CARDS › Section 13.55 - Type of bill

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The three spaces at the bottom of the card designated
						  "Amendment," "Supplement," and "New" are used to indicate whether the bill is
						  an amendment to existing law, a supplement to existing law, or a new bill
						  having no direct reference to existing law. An "X" is placed under the
						  appropriate heading.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF TRACER CARDS › Section 13.56 - Other information

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The larger space in the lower right hand corner
						  designated "Remarks" is used to indicate the fact that a bill has been written
						  both for the House and the Senate, if such is the case; if it was requested by
						  someone other than the person whose name appears at the top of the card, the
						  name of the person making the request after the words "Requested by"; whether
						  extra copies are made; whether the draft is a "Resolution," "Concurrent
						  Resolution," "Citation," or "Appropriation;" storage information; and other
						  matters of importance.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PREPARATION OF TRACER CARDS › Section 13.57 - Disposition

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The tracer card is fastened to the outside of the
						  distribution folder with a paper clip. All tracer cards are removed before any
						  work leaves the Bureau, and a notation made, in the space indicated, of the
						  date and the name or identity of the person taking it out. They are then filed
						  according to the classification number under the name of the member or other
						  person making the request.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.61 - Purpose of proofreading

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The objectives in having bills proofread are to have
						  important errors corrected before the bill is introduced or becomes a law, and
						  to find minor errors that can be corrected in editing copy for the slip laws
						  and Laws of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.62 - Scope of proofreading

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Every transcribed copy of a bill is checked against the
						  manuscript from which it was copied. Original bills are read by one person for
						  misspelled words, transposed lines and errors in language. Amendatory bills and
						  bills containing repeals or other references to or quotations from existing law
						  are proofread by two persons against the language in the Laws of Pennsylvania.
						  In addition, all references to existing law are carefully checked as to date,
						  page in the Laws of Pennsylvania and act number and as to whether there are
						  intervening amendments, repeals or other circumstances affecting the language
						  or status of the provision referred to or amended. For this purpose, the marked
						  copies of the Laws of Pennsylvania are used.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.63 - Title of bill

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General.
Changes in the draft of a bill after it is completed
						or amendments to a bill after it is introduced often necessitate a change in
						the title of the bill. It is necessary to determine that all changes come
						within the scope of the title and if not, that the title be changed or amended
						accordingly.
(b)
Title of
						statute amended.
It is also frequently important to amend the title of
						an existing statute so as to incorporate changes made by amendments to the
						statute. This, of course, does not take the place of the new matter in the
						amending title, which still must adequately cover the changes. The importance
						of amending titles of existing statutes is to avoid incomplete coverage in the
						titles of future amendments.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.64 - Table of contents

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
If an original enactment has a table of contents and
						  during the course of drafting or by amendment of the bill after it has been
						  introduced, a change is made in any heading appearing in the table, it is
						  necessary to determine that the change is also made in the table. In amending
						  an existing statute that has a table of contents it is not necessary to amend
						  the table of contents even though a heading appearing in the table is amended
						  elsewhere in the bill.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.65 - Headings

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
When a section or other subdivision having a heading is
						  changed either in the course of drafting a bill or in amending a bill after it
						  is introduced it is necessary to consider whether a corresponding change is
						  needed in the heading. This also applies to the original preparation of a bill
						  amending an existing statute having section or other subdivision headings. It
						  is frequently necessary to amend these headings as well to prevent their
						  becoming misleading.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.66 - Cross references

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
When a bill has been written either in whole or in
						  part, and a change is made involving a change in the numbering or lettering of
						  sections or other subdivisions, it is necessary to check the entire bill for
						  cross references that may be affected. The same is true in amending
						  bills.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.67 - Effective dates

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Effective dates are checked at every opportunity. This
						  becomes increasingly important as a session continues. Frequently a date
						  specified in a bill is passed before the bill is acted on by the Governor, or a
						  bill without an effective date provision intended to take effect on a
						  particular date does not become a law until later. While existing law provides
						  when such statutes become effective it often happens that another date may be
						  more desirable.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.68 - Errors in form

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
While it is incumbent on the proofreaders to check
						  bills for form, no correction is made without consulting one of the draftsmen
						  as to whether the deviation in form may affect the validity of the statute. A
						  bill is not reprinted because of bad form unless the defect is fatal, such as
						  citing an entire section for amendment and setting out a part only.
						  Improvements in form should be made only if other changes are
						  necessary.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.69 - Notation and distribution of corrections

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General.
All corrections
						to original transcribed copies of bills are marked on such copies and
						corrections are made and final copies prepared. All corrections on printed
						bills are noted in the Bureau files so that corrections may be made by
						amendment or in editing statutes for printing.
(b)
Formal amendments.
Corrections requiring a change in language are typewritten in the usual form
						and sent to the committee chairman if the bill is in committee, otherwise to
						the majority leader of the house in which the bill is pending. The first page
						of all correction amendments and the envelope in which they are delivered are
						stamped "Legislative Reference Bureau Bill Reading Corrections." The envelopes
						containing vital corrections must also be stamped to call attention to the fact
						that without the amendments the bill may be fatally defective.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter B - DRAFTING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES › PROOFREADING DOCUMENTS › Section 13.70 - Corrective reprints

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Occasionally, bills reprinted for the purpose of
						  incorporating amendments adopted by either house or a committee contain errors
						  which merit correction before consideration by the house having possession of
						  the bill. In such case, the bill is reprinted without formal amendment with the
						  caption at the top of the first page of the bill "HOUSE AMENDED" or "SENATE
						  AMENDED" immediately followed on a separate line by "CORRECTIVE
						  REPRINT."
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › WORDS AND PHRASES › Section 13.101 - Meaning

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General.
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1903) provides that:
(1) Words and phrases shall be construed
						according to rules of grammar and according to their common and approved
						usage.
(2) Technical words and
						phrases and such others as have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning
						shall be construed according to such peculiar and appropriate
						meaning.
(3) General words shall be
						construed to take their meanings and be restricted by preceding particular
						words.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › WORDS AND PHRASES › Section 13.102 - Number, gender and tense

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1902) provides that:
(1) The singular shall include the plural,
						and the plural the singular.
(2)
						Words used in the masculine gender shall include the feminine and
						neuter.
(3) Words used in the past
						or present tense shall include the future.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › WORDS AND PHRASES › Section 13.103 - Joint authority and quorum

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1905) provides that:
(1) Words in a statute conferring a joint
						authority upon three or more public officers or other persons shall be
						construed to confer authority upon a majority of such officers or
						persons.
(2) A majority of any
						board or commission shall constitute a quorum.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › WORDS AND PHRASES › Section 13.104 - Bonds

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1906) provides that a statute requiring bond
						  or undertaking with sureties to be given by any person, shall be construed to
						  permit in lieu thereof a bond of indemnity or surety bond for the amount of
						  such bond or undertaking, given by any indemnity or surety company authorized
						  to do business in this Commonwealth, and approved by the proper
						  authority.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › TIME › Section 13.111 - Uniform standard time

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1907) provides that every mention of, or
						  reference to any hour or time in any statute, shall be construed with reference
						  to eastern standard time, unless a different standard is therein expressly
						  provided for, or unless the standard time shall be advanced for any portion of
						  the year, by any act of Congress.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › TIME › Section 13.112 - Computation of time

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1907) provides that except as otherwise
						  provided in §
												13.113 (relating to computation
						  of months) or §
												13.114 (relating to publication
						  for "successive weeks"):
(1) When any
						period of time is referred to in any statute, such period in all cases shall be
						so computed as to exclude the first and include the last day of such
						period.
(2) Whenever the last day
						of any such period shall fall on Saturday or Sunday, or on any day made a legal
						holiday by the laws of this Commonwealth or of the United States, such day
						shall be omitted from the computation.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › TIME › Section 13.113 - Computation of months

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1910) provides that whenever in any statute
						  the lapse of a number of months after or before a certain day is required, such
						  number of months shall be computed by counting the months from such day,
						  excluding the calendar month in which such day occurs, and shall include the
						  day of the month in the last month so counted having the same numerical order
						  as the day of the month from which the computation is made, unless there be not
						  so many days in the last month so counted, in which case the period computed
						  shall expire with the last day of such month.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › TIME › Section 13.114 - Publication for "successive weeks

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1909) provides that whenever in any statute
						  providing for the publishing of notices, the phrase "successive weeks" is
						  used:
(1) Weeks shall be construed as
						calendar weeks.
(2) The publication
						upon any day of such weeks shall be sufficient publication for that week, but
						at least five days shall elapse between each publication.
(3) At least the number of weeks specified in
						"successive weeks" shall elapse between the first publication and the day for
						the happening of the event for which publication shall be made.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › STATUTES GENERALLY › Section 13.121 - Grammar and punctuation

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1923) provides that:
(1) Grammatical errors shall not vitiate a
						statute and a transposition of words and clauses may be resorted to where a
						sentence is without meaning as it stands.
(2) In no case shall the punctuation of a
						statute control or affect the intention of the General Assembly in the
						enactment thereof unless the statute was finally enacted after December 31,
						1964.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › STATUTES GENERALLY › Section 13.122 - Titles, preambles, limitations and headings

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1924) provides that:
(1) The title and preamble of a statute may
						be considered in the construction thereof.
(2) Provisos shall be construed to limit
						rather than to extend the operation of the clauses to which they
						refer.
(3) Exceptions expressed in
						a statute shall be construed to exclude all others.
(4) The headings prefixed to titles, parts,
						articles, chapters, sections and other divisions of a statute shall not be
						considered to control but may be used to aid in the construction
						thereof.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › STATUTES GENERALLY › Section 13.123 - Severability

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1925) provides that the provisions of every
						  statute shall be severable and that if any provision of any statute or the
						  application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
						  remainder of the statute, and the application of such provision to other
						  persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby, unless the court finds
						  that the valid provisions of the statute are so essentially and inseparably
						  connected with, and so depend upon, the void provision or application, that it
						  cannot be presumed the General Assembly would have enacted the remaining valid
						  provisions without the void one; or unless the court finds that the remaining
						  valid provisions, standing alone, are incomplete and are incapable of being
						  executed in accordance with the legislative intent.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 101 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY › Part I - LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU › Subpart C - LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL › Chapter 13 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter C - STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION › STATUTES GENERALLY › Section 13.124 - Retroactive effect

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The act (1 Pa.C.S. §
													1926) provides that no statute shall be
						  construed to be retroactive unless clearly and manifestly so intended by the
						  General Assembly.