HARRISBURG – Continuing his work to make government more transparent, Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) sponsored legislation that would require all committee meetings and hearings to be recorded. Senate Bill 507 received unanimous support from the Senate State Government Committee today.
The bill would also require committee meetings and hearings to be livestreamed whenever possible.
“As public servants, we have a duty to ensure our constituents – who have elected us – have access to meetings during which we vote on legislation that directly impacts them. Transparency is a core tenet to a good and accountable government,” Sen. Stefano said. “It is my intention to guarantee that Pennsylvanians are given the ability to observe the operation of their government.”
Senate Bill 507 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
Earlier this year, Sen. Stefano sponsored legislation to strengthen the Sunshine Act’s intent and to ensure the public can be fully informed when following governmental proceedings. Act 65 of 2021 requires agencies to make their meeting agendas available to the public at least 24 hours before the meeting. Further, once the agenda has been finalized and posted for the public, the agency may not take any official action on any item that is not listed on the notice, except in emergency situations or to consider insignificant matters.
CONTACT: Jake Gery, jgery@pasen.gov