Senate approves bill seeking to limit length of future disaster declarations

Senate Bill 2, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the length of future emergency disaster declarations, was approved Tuesday by the state Senate with a vote of 28-20.

Specifically, the measure would limit emergency disaster declarations to 21 days unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly. It also clarifies that the legislature would not be required to present the resolution ending the declaration to the governor for his consideration.

Under current law, the governor’s emergency declaration can last up to 90 days and be renewed by the governor indefinitely.

“Under Governor Wolf’s current declaration of emergency for COVID-19, we are witnessing what consolidated power looks like. Inconsistent vaccine rollouts, businesses that have been shuttered, nursing home residents who have suffered under the Department of Health, and hundreds of thousands of unemployed workers who continue to struggle to obtain unemployment benefits,” said Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-39), one of the bill’s sponsors. “Every step of the way, the Pennsylvania Legislature has attempted to pass bills to assist these affected groups, and the Governor has responded with a veto.”

Ward sponsored Senate Bill 2 with Sens. Scott Martin (R-13) and John DiSanto (R-15). It was previously advanced by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee in a 7-4 vote on Jan. 22.

Following the Senate approval, the bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. As it seeks to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution, the legislation must be approved by the General Assembly in two consecutive legislative sessions before being approved by voters. Senate Bill 2 was approved by the General Assembly in the previous legislative session.

“We have seen the consequences of one person or one branch of government wielding too much authority for an indefinite period of time, and the results are not good,” Sen. Martin said. “This amendment will allow the people of Pennsylvania decide whether we should take a more cooperative approach to responding to future emergencies.”