State Government Committee Advances Key Bills to Restore the Balance of Power in Pennsylvania, Reports Grove

November 16, 2021

HARRISBURG – Knowing checks and balances in government protects residents by ensuring no one branch becomes too powerful and oversteps its bounds, the House State Government Committee today approved two key pieces of legislation to restore the balance of power to the three-branch system of governing, Chairman Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) announced.

“The past year and half have been a prime example of what happens when one branch of government, the executive branch, exceeds its scope,” Grove said. “As the voice of the people, the House was left with no choice but to work diligently to gain back its rightful powers so that it is equal to the executive branch.”

House Bill 2070 would Amend Article IV, to add a new section providing that any executive order or proclamation issued by the governor, which purports to have the force of law, may not be in effect for more than 21 days, unless extended by concurrent resolution of the General Assembly. House Bill 2069 would provide that a bill to disapprove a regulation approved by the General Assembly would not need to be presented to the governor for his approval. Both bills were introduced by Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster).

Since the two bills would amend Pennsylvania Constitution, they would need to be approved by the General Assembly this session and again next session before voters would see the questions on the ballot.

In addition, the committee also approved the following bills:

• House Bill 1792 would amend the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to update the names of cabinet-level Commonwealth agencies that have been split, merged or renamed by prior acts over the past 25 years.

• House Bill 2051 would authorize the transfer of land at the West Pittston Armory.

The four bills now go to the full House for consideration.

Representative Seth Grove
196th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives