HARRISBURG — Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware/Chester) voted against House Bill 1042 Thursday, saying House Democrats intentionally prevented the General Assembly from enacting a constitutional sentencing law before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s deadline, opening the door for more than 1,100 convicted felony murderers serving life without parole to seek resentencing and possible release.
HARRISBURG — Rep. Kathy L. Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) says legislation addressing the sentencing of second-degree murders will miss a court-ordered deadline due to partisan politics, and there’s a possibility convicted killers could be let loose.
HARRISBURG – Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks) voted against House Bill 1042 this week, saying the legislation fails to provide meaningful accountability for those convicted of second-degree murder and creates uncertainty for victims and their families.
HARRISBURG – Rep. Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne) issued this statement following the vote on House Bill 1042, legislation that addresses the sentencing of those convicted of murder of the second degree:
HARRISBURG—Reps. David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata) and Josh Bashline (R-Clarion/Armstrong) today announced plans to introduce a two-bill legislative package establishing reasonable safeguards for the use of automated surveillance technologies, including automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and facial-recognition systems.
HARRISBURG - Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) voted against House Bill 1042 after House Democrats amended the legislation, replacing a bipartisan Senate-passed solution with provisions that weaken accountability for violent offenders and create uncertainty for crime victims and their families.
HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) issued the following statement after his vote against House Bill 1042, a bill that would change the punishment for second-degree murder in Pennsylvania:
HARRISBURG – Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks) voted Thursday against House Bill 1042, saying the legislation fails to provide a strong constitutional sentencing framework for second-degree murder convictions and falls short of protecting public safety and the rights of crime victims.
HARRISBURG – State Reps. Mike Armanini (R-Clearfield/Elk) and Dallas Kephart (R-Clearfield/Cambria) released the following statement in reaction to legislation passed today by the House of Representatives. The measure was intended to change the sentencing framework for anyone convicted of second-degree murder, commonly called felony murder. However, an amendment greatly broadened the scope of the measure and added provisions that include opportunities for inmates to be released for medical reasons.
HARRISBURG – Legislation addressing the sentencing of convicted murders will miss the state deadline due to House Democrat maneuvers, potentially putting killers back on the streets, said Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin).
HARRISBURG — Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie) issued the following statement in response to the vote on House Bill 1042:
HARRISBURG – House Democrats have yielded to pressure from Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) and her Republican colleagues from greater Philadelphia by signaling plans to vote on legislation affecting the sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder.
ERIE – Rep. Jake Banta (R-Erie), a lifelong sportsman and member of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, today applauded the ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declaring warrantless searches unconstitutional.
HARRISBURG – Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Montgomery) announced today that legislation she championed to improve services for veterans affected by military sexual trauma has been signed into law.
HARRISBURG – Great news for Pennsylvania sportsmen, homeowners and landowners, after lengthy deliberation, the state Supreme Court today joined a growing number of other states in recognizing our Commonwealth’s constitutional protections for Pennsylvanians against the federal “open fields doctrine” loophole which law enforcement has abused for decades to negate private property rights.
HARRISBURG – Because a court-mandated deadline is fast approaching, hundreds of men and women already convicted of second-degree murder could be resentenced and released from incarceration because of inaction from House Democrats, according to Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia).
HARRISBURG – Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Montgomery) today called on House Democrats to immediately bring Senate Bill 1400 before the House Judiciary Committee, warning that continued inaction could have serious consequences for victims, public safety and the administration of justice in Pennsylvania.
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jake Banta (R-Erie) today issued the following statement after voting “yes” on the $50.8 billion state budget deal for Fiscal Year 2026-27:
HARRISBURG – Following the passage of the 2026-27 state budget, Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh) issued the following statement:
HARRISBURG – Rep. Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Sullivan) released the following statement after the 2026-27 state budget was passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on July 12.