A Joint Resolution proposing integrated amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for election of justices, judges and justices of the peace and vacancies and for tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.
Summary
HB2029 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Pennsylvania judicial vacancies and judicial terms are handled. Under current constitutional language, certain vacancies tied to retention elections can be filled through appointment or by a vacancy election process. This bill would remove the retention-election-specific vacancy language and instead provide that when an appointive term expires, the vacancy is filled by election under the general judicial election provisions.
The bill also revises the tenure provision for justices, judges, and justices of the peace. Rather than focusing on retention elections, the amended language would state that at the end of each term, a judge or justice is eligible for re-election, subject only to the Constitution’s retirement provisions. In practical terms, the proposal shifts the constitutional framework away from the current retention-election model and toward a re-election model for judicial officeholders, while preserving retirement limits.
Impact
If adopted, HB2029 would amend Article V of the Pennsylvania Constitution and alter the legal rules governing judicial succession and tenure. It would affect how vacancies are filled at the end of appointive terms and would replace the current retention-election mechanism with language centered on re-election. Because this is a constitutional amendment, it would not change statutes directly by itself, but it would supersede any inconsistent statutory or procedural rules and would require implementation through Pennsylvania’s election administration process after voter approval.
Sentiment
The bill text and available legislative history show no recorded committee debate or votes, so there is no documented floor or committee sentiment to measure. Based on the sponsors and the subject matter, the proposal appears to be a structural election-law reform aimed at changing the judicial selection process. With no transcripts or vote history provided, the overall sentiment in the available record is neutral and informational rather than clearly supportive or opposed.
Contention
The main point of contention is the shift from judicial retention elections to re-election language. Supporters of the current system may view retention elections as a nonpartisan way to preserve judicial independence, while supporters of HB2029 may prefer a more conventional election model for accountability and voter choice. Another likely issue is how vacancies at the end of appointive terms are filled, since the bill changes the constitutional text governing that process. No specific objections or endorsements are recorded in the provided materials, so these concerns are inferred from the substance of the proposal rather than from documented debate.
A Joint Resolution proposing integrated amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for election of justices, judges and justices of the peace and vacancies and for tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.
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.
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.
A JOINT RESOLUTION to amend the Wyoming Constitution to provide for the election of judges and justices and to repeal conflicting constitutional provisions concerning the selection and retention of judges and justices.
A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for election of members and vacancies.
A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for election of members and vacancies.
A Joint Resolution proposing integrated amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for the election and qualifications of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.