HB 566 — A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.

PRIOR PASSAGE - NONE
                                                       PRINTER'S NO.    570

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 566
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY OWLETT, KAUFFMAN, SMITH, HAMM AND ZIMMERMAN,
        FEBRUARY 12, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025


                              A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1   Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth
 2      of Pennsylvania, further providing for tenure of justices,
 3      judges and justices of the peace.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby resolves as follows:
 6      Section 1.    The following amendment to the Constitution of
 7   Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with Article XI:
 8      That section 15(a) of Article V be amended to read:
 9   § 15.    Tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.
10      (a)    The regular term of office of justices [and judges shall
11   be ten years and the regular term of office for], judges, judges
12   of the municipal court in the City of Philadelphia and of
13   justices of the peace shall be six years. The tenure of any
14   justice or judge shall not be affected by changes in judicial
15   districts or by reduction in the number of judges.
16      * * *
17      Section 2.    The following procedure applies to the proposed
18   constitutional amendment in this joint resolution:
 1        (1)   Upon the first passage by the General Assembly of
 2    the amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
 3    proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
 4    requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
 5    of Pennsylvania.
 6        (2)   Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of
 7    the amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
 8    proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
 9    requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
10    of Pennsylvania. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
11    submit the amendment to the qualified electors of this
12    Commonwealth at the first general or municipal election which
13    meets the requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the
14    Constitution of Pennsylvania.




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