State Representative David H. Zimmerman | Pennsylvania 99th Legislative District
State Representative David H. Zimmerman | Pennsylvania 99th Legislative District
Rep. Dave Zimmerman from Lancaster has introduced a bill aimed at enhancing transparency and understanding in Pennsylvania's legislative process. The proposed legislation, House Bill 1667, seeks to mandate that every bill or joint resolution introduced in the General Assembly includes a statement detailing its original intent.
Zimmerman emphasized the importance of this requirement, stating, "My bill would amend Title 1 to include a universal legislative requirement that every bill or joint resolution introduced in the General Assembly must include a clear and concise statement of its original purpose, in compliance with Article III, Section 1 of our Pennsylvania Constitution." He believes that such a measure would help legislators maintain focus on the initial objectives of their proposals throughout the legislative process and assist courts in interpreting laws more accurately.
He further elaborated on the motivation behind his initiative: "No matter how precise and careful we word our laws, they are often misconstrued and used in ways that were never intended. That is why I have authored this legislation. Intent or purpose of the legislation is a critical missing piece of the puzzle that will offer further clarity for legislation that is passed."
House Bill 1667 is currently under consideration by the House Rules Committee.
Alerts Sign-up