HB 2029 — 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.

PRIOR PASSAGE - NONE
                                                       PRINTER'S NO.   2601

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2029
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY DIAMOND, GREINER, HADDOCK, BERNSTINE, FINK, SMITH,
        ZIMMERMAN AND KAUFFMAN, NOVEMBER 12, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025


                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1   Proposing integrated amendments to the Constitution of the
 2      Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for election
 3      of justices, judges and justices of the peace and vacancies
 4      and for tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.
 5      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 6   hereby resolves as follows:
 7      Section 1.    The following integrated amendments to the
 8   Constitution of Pennsylvania are proposed in accordance with
 9   Article XI:
10      (1)    That section 13(c) of Article V be amended to read:
11   § 13.    Election of justices, judges and justices of the peace;
12                 vacancies.
13      * * *
14      (c)    [The provisions of section 13(b) shall not apply either
15   in the case of a vacancy to be filled by retention election as
16   provided in section 15(b), or in the case of a vacancy created
17   by failure of a justice or judge to file a declaration for
18   retention election as provided in section 15(b).] In the case of
 1   a vacancy occurring at the expiration of an appointive term
 2   under section 13(b), the vacancy shall be filled by election as
 3   provided in section 13(a).
 4      * * *
 5      (2)    That section 15(b) of Article V be amended to read:
 6   § 15.    Tenure of justices, judges and justices of the peace.
 7      * * *
 8      (b)    [A justice or judge elected under section 13(a),
 9   appointed under section 13(d) or retained under this section
10   15(b) may file a declaration of candidacy for retention election
11   with the officer of the Commonwealth who under law shall have
12   supervision over elections on or before the first Monday of
13   January of the year preceding the year in which his term of
14   office expires. If no declaration is filed, a vacancy shall
15   exist upon the expiration of the term of office of such justice
16   or judge, to be filled by election under section 13(a) or by
17   appointment under section 13(d) if applicable. If a justice or
18   judge files a declaration, his name shall be submitted to the
19   electors without party designation, on a separate judicial
20   ballot or in a separate column on voting machines, at the
21   municipal election immediately preceding the expiration of the
22   term of office of the justice or judge, to determine only the
23   question whether he shall be retained in office. If a majority
24   is against retention, a vacancy shall exist upon the expiration
25   of his term of office, to be filled by appointment under section
26   13(b) or under section 13(d) if applicable. If a majority favors
27   retention, the justice or judge shall serve for the regular term
28   of office provided herein, unless sooner removed or retired.] At
29   the expiration of each term a justice or judge shall be eligible
30   for [retention as provided herein] re-election, subject only to

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 1   the retirement provisions of this article.
 2      Section 2.   The following procedure applies to the proposed
 3   constitutional amendments in this joint resolution:
 4          (1)   Upon the first passage by the General Assembly of
 5      the amendments, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
 6      proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
 7      requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
 8      of Pennsylvania.
 9          (2)   Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of
10      the amendments, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
11      proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
12      requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
13      of Pennsylvania. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
14      submit the amendments to the qualified electors of this
15      Commonwealth as a single ballot question at the first general
16      election which meets the requirements of section 1 of Article
17      XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.




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