SB 460 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of December 30, 1974 (P.L.1072, No.347), referred to as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor Disability Procedure Law, further providing for incapacity of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

SB 460 amends Pennsylvania's Governor and Lieutenant Governor Disability Procedure Law to clarify and update the process for determining incapacity and succession if the Governor or Lieutenant Governor cannot perform duties. It specifies procedures for medical evaluations, notification requirements, and the transfer of authority to the Secretary of the Commonwealth during such periods. This directly affects state officials, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and key cabinet members, by establishing clear steps for leadership continuity. The bill focuses on procedural clarity rather than substantive policy changes to ensure smooth governance during emergencies.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
Senate Passage
Sep 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 17, 2025 Last action Sep 10, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0394 Printer's No. PN1150 · 2 edits
MINOR
This bill update primarily adds the word 'DISABLED' to several sections regarding gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial incapacity, clarifying the medical or functional nature of the disability. It also expands the notification list for incapacity declarations to include key legislative leadership roles like the Speaker and both Senate and House Majority and Minority Leaders, ensuring faster communication during a crisis.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding the definition of incapacity was slightly clarified by adding the term 'DISABLED', and the scope of notification requirements was broadened to include additional legislative leaders.
DEFINITION

Added the word 'DISABLED' to the text describing the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's inability to perform their duties, ensuring the term 'incapacitated' is explicitly linked to a state of disability.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the list of officials who must be notified when an incapacity declaration is made to include the Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, House Majority Leader, and House Minority Leader.

Floor votes · Senate Sep 8, 2025

How they voted

379
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 50
Sep 8, 2025
D Democratic23
11 Yea 9 Nay 3
47% Yea
R Republican27
26 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
5
Committee
5
Amendments
1
Sep 10, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Government
lower
Sep 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Sep 8, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (37-9-4)
senate
Sep 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended on third consideration
upper
Jul 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
Jun 25, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
Jun 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Government
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors