Pennsylvania House Bill HB301

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25

Caption

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for terms of members.

Summary

HB301 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would impose term limits on members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Under the bill, state senators could serve no more than three consecutive full terms, and state representatives could serve no more than six consecutive full terms. After reaching those limits, a legislator would have to wait at least four years before becoming eligible to run again for the same chamber. Because the measure is a joint resolution to amend the state constitution, it does not immediately change election law on its own. Instead, it would require passage by the General Assembly in the constitutionally required process and then approval by Pennsylvania voters at a qualifying election before the new limits would take effect. The bill also directs the Secretary of the Commonwealth to handle the required public advertising after each legislative passage and to place the amendment before the electorate at the first eligible election.

Impact

If adopted, HB301 would amend Article II, section 3 of the Pennsylvania Constitution and create enforceable term limits for state legislators. It would affect current and future members of the Senate and House by limiting consecutive service and requiring a four-year break before a former member could seek the same office again. The measure would not alter the length of legislative terms themselves, but it would change eligibility rules for candidacy and officeholding in the General Assembly.

Sentiment

There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal support or opposition can be measured from the transcript record. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears to reflect a reform-oriented effort to limit long-term incumbency and encourage turnover in the legislature. Because it is a constitutional amendment, the ultimate sentiment will likely depend on both legislative approval and voter response.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be whether term limits improve accountability and fresh representation or instead reduce institutional experience and voter choice. Supporters would generally favor the bill as an anti-incumbency reform, while opponents would likely argue that voters should decide whether to reelect their representatives and that mandatory turnover could weaken legislative expertise. No specific named objections or endorsements appear in the available committee or vote records.