HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Sens. Pat Stefano (R-32) and Jarrett Coleman (R-16) to strengthen government transparency and protect the public’s right to know was approved unanimously by the Senate State Government Committee.
“Pennsylvanians deserve advance notice of every issue their government plans to discuss and vote on,” Stefano said. “This bill strengthens transparency, accountability and public confidence in the public decision-making process.”
“A recent Supreme Court decision made it possible for local governments to approve a major project like a data center, without ever providing notice to the public,” Coleman said. “This legislation closes that loophole by ensuring Pennsylvanians have the notice they need so that they can engage in and impact the decisions being made in their communities.”
Senate Bill 1150 would clarify Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act to ensure public agencies provide meaningful notice before taking action on important matters. The bill reinforces the 24-hour agenda posting requirement established under Act 65 of 2021 and ensures exceptions for emergencies and minor administrative matters remain limited.
The legislation follows a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling allowing agencies to add agenda items and take official action on them with a simple majority vote, even when those items were not included on a publicly posted agenda.
Senate Bill 1150 now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
STEFANO CONTACT: Amanda Cuteri, 717-787-7175
COLEMAN CONTACT: Leo Knepper