Pennsylvania SR 1: A Resolution adopting Ethical Conduct Rules of the Senate.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 1
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PITTMAN, JANUARY 7, 2025
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JANUARY 7, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Adopting Ethical Conduct Rules of the Senate.
RESOLVED, That Ethical Conduct Rules of the Senate be adopted
for the governing of the 209th and 210th Regular Session.
2025-2026
ETHICAL CONDUCT RULES OF THE SENATE
Rule 1. Preliminary provisions.
As used in these rules, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings given to them in this rule unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:
"Campaign activity." An activity on behalf of a political
party, candidate, political committee or campaign, which is
intended to advance the interests of a specific party,
candidate, political committee or campaign for elective office,
including any of the following:
(1) Organizing a campaign meeting, campaign rally or
other campaign event, including a fundraiser where campaign
contributions are solicited or received.
(2) Preparing or completing responses to candidate
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

questionnaires that are intended solely for campaign use.
(3) Preparing a campaign finance report.
(4) Conducting background research on a candidate.
(5) Preparing or conducting a campaign poll.
(6) Preparing, circulating or filing a candidate
nominating petition or papers.
(7) Participating in, preparing, reviewing or filing a
legal challenge to a nominating petition.
(8) Preparing, distributing or mailing any campaign
literature, campaign signs or other campaign material,
including television and radio ads, website construction, e-
mails, facsimiles and robocalls, on behalf of any candidate
for elective office.
(9) Managing a campaign for elective office.
(10) Participating in, preparing, reviewing or filing
any documents in any recount, challenge or contest of any
election.
(11) Posting campaign-related information on a website,
including social media websites or other electronic media
websites.
"Campaign contribution." A monetary or in-kind contribution
made to an electoral candidate campaign.
"Candidate." As defined in section 1621 of the act of June
3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election
Code.
"Cash gift."
(1) Any of the following:
(i) United States or foreign currency.
(ii) A money order.
(iii) A check.
20250SR0001PN0001 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

(iv) A prepaid debit or credit card.
(v) A gift card or certificate.
(2) The term does not include:
(i) An expenditure or other transaction subject to
reporting under Article XVI the Pennsylvania Election
Code.
(ii) A commercial loan made in the ordinary course
of business.
(iii) A transaction involving reasonable
consideration of equal or greater value.
(iv) A cash gift from a parent, sibling, spouse,
child, stepchild, stepparent, stepsibling, grandparent,
grandchild, parent-in-law, sibling-in-law or other close
relative when the circumstances make it clear that the
motivation for the action was a personal or family
relationship.
(v) A cash gift available to the public or offered
to members of a group or class in which membership is not
related to being a Senator or Senate employee.
(vi) An award or prize given to competitors in any
contest or event open to the public, including random
drawings.
"Commercial loan made in the ordinary course of business." A
loan from a bank or other financial institution on terms
generally available to the public.
"De minimis." An economic consequence which has an
insignificant effect.
"Lobbyist." Any individual, firm, association, corporation,
partnership, business trust or other entity that is registered
as a lobbyist under 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 13A (relating to lobbying
20250SR0001PN0001 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

disclosure).
"Mass communication." The term includes, but is not limited
to, any of the following if paid for with Senate funds:
(1) A newsletter.
(2) A printed mailing of more than 50 pieces in which
the content of the matter is substantially identical.
(3) A paid social media post.
(4) A public service announcement via radio or
television broadcast that depicts the name, voice or image of
a Senator.
(5) An electronic communication, including a telephone
town hall or other type of telemarketing.
(6) A text message transmission to more than 50 phone
numbers per day in which the content of the matter is
substantially identical.
"Newsletter." A printed document more than one page in
length that addresses more than one subject and is printed in
quantities of 25,000 copies or more.
"Official action." An administrative action or legislative
action, as those terms are defined in 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A03
(relating to definitions).
"Official Senate contact lists." Any list containing
individuals, companies or vendors, including names, addresses,
telephone numbers or e-mail addresses that are procured,
compi