Establishing the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium; providing for administrative, fiscal or…

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2875 PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2623 PRINTER'S NO. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL 2048 Session of No. 2025 INTRODUCED BY RABB, SHUSTERMAN, WAXMAN, KHAN, RIVERA, FREEMAN, K. HARRIS, HOWARD, SANCHEZ, SMITH-WADE-EL AND WARREN, NOVEMBER 18, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, FEBRUARY 4, 2026 AN ACT 1 Establishing the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium; 2 providing for ADMINISTRATIVE, FISCAL OR LOGISTICAL SERVICES <-- 3 AND governance and duties of the Pennsylvania Civic 4 Information Consortium, for grantmaking priorities, for 5 editorial independence, for public access and transparency 6 and for long-term funding strategy. 7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 8 hereby enacts as follows: 9 Section 1. Short title. 10 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania 11 Civic Information Consortium Act. 12 Section 2. Declaration of purpose. 13 The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: 14 (1) The collapse of the local news industry in this <-- 15 Commonwealth has created a civic emergency. After years of 16 corporate consolidation, hedge fund acquisition and newsroom 17 layoffs, many communities in this Commonwealth have become 18 news deserts, deprived of the public-interest journalism they 19 once relied on. 1 (2) This is not merely a media industry crisis. Research 2 shows that robust local journalism correlates with improved 3 government performance, higher civic engagement and stronger 4 community trust. 5 (3) The private market alone no longer meets the 6 public's need for locally rooted civic information. 7 (4) To restore a healthy civic information ecosystem, a 8 new public framework is needed to support, invest in and 9 protect local journalism that serves all Pennsylvanians. 10 (1) A STRONG AND DIVERSE LOCAL NEWS SECTOR IS ESSENTIAL <-- 11 TO THE FUNCTIONING OF DEMOCRACY. COMMUNITIES ACROSS THIS 12 COMMONWEALTH RELY ON CREDIBLE, INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM TO STAY 13 INFORMED ABOUT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND TO PARTICIPATE MEANINGFULLY 14 IN CIVIC LIFE. 15 (2) RESEARCH CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATES THAT ACCESS TO 16 RELIABLE REPORTING SUPPORTS TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT, 17 ENCOURAGES CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND FOSTERS COMMUNITY TRUST. 18 (3) RESEARCH ALSO DEMONSTRATES THAT MOST PENNSYLVANIANS 19 SEEK OUT NEWS FROM TRUSTED, INDEPENDENT SOURCES, INCLUDING 20 LOCAL PRINT AND DIGITAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS. 21 (4) MARKET PRESSURES AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE MEDIA 22 LANDSCAPE HAVE MADE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR LOCAL NEWS 23 ORGANIZATIONS TO SUSTAIN THE LEVEL OF COVERAGE RESIDENTS 24 EXPECT AND DESERVE. 25 (5) STRENGTHENING THIS COMMONWEALTH'S CIVIC INFORMATION 26 INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRES A COORDINATED PUBLIC FRAMEWORK THAT 27 SUPPORTS, INVESTS IN AND SAFEGUARDS JOURNALISM THAT SERVES 28 ALL PENNSYLVANIANS. 29 (5) (6) The purpose of this act is to create an <-- 30 independent, nonpartisan, publicly funded nonprofit 20250HB2048PN2875 - 2 - 1 corporation, the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium. 2 (6) (7) The Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium <-- 3 will administer a competitive grant program supporting local 4 journalism and civic information projects throughout this 5 Commonwealth, with special emphasis on underserved 6 populations and community-driven media models. 7 Section 3. Definitions. 8 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 9 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 10 context clearly indicates otherwise: 11 "Board." The board of directors of the Pennsylvania Civic 12 Information Consortium. 13 "Consortium." The Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium 14 established under section 4(a). 15 "Eligible entity." A nonprofit organization, institution of 16 higher education, library, community media outlet or other 17 organization that demonstrates the ability to carry out a civic 18 information or local journalism project in this Commonwealth. 19 "Funded project." A civic information or local journalism 20 initiative that receives financial support through a grant 21 awarded by the consortium under this act. 22 "HOST INSTITUTION." THE STATE LIBRARY SYSTEM OR AN <-- 23 INSTITUTION WITHIN THE STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT 24 ENTERS INTO A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH THE CONSORTIUM TO PROVIDE 25 ADMINISTRATIVE, FISCAL OR LOGISTICAL SERVICES. 26 "Metrics." Objective performance measures used to evaluate 27 the reach, quality and civic impact of funded projects. 28 "Pilot program." The initial two-year to three-year 29 implementation phase of the consortium during which the 30 consortium demonstrates proof of concept, establishes 20250HB2048PN2875 - 3 - 1 administrative capacity, develops and tests grantmaking 2 procedures and gathers data to inform the transition to a long- 3 term funding model for the consortium. 4 "Underserved community." A community that lacks adequate 5 access to reliable civic information or local news, including 6 rural, low-income, minority, immigrant and limited-English 7 proficient populations. 8 Section 4. Establishment of consortium. 9 (a) Establishment.--The Pennsylvania Civic Information 10 Consortium is established as an independent, nonpartisan, 11 nonprofit organization to support and strengthen THE PRODUCTION <-- 12 AND DISSEMINATION OF civic information and local journalism 13 across this Commonwealth. 14 (b) Incorporation.--The consortium shall be incorporated as 15 a nonprofit corporation under 15 Pa.C.S. Pt. II Subpt. C 16 (relating to nonprofit corporations). THE CONSORTIUM SHALL BE AN <-- 17 INDEPENDENT INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE COMMONWEALTH. THE CONSORTIUM 18 SHALL NOT BE DEEMED AN EXECUTIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, 19 DEPARTMENT, BOARD OR COMMISSION OF THE COMMONWEALTH. 20 (c) Public mission.--The consortium shall operate 21 exclusively to carry out the public purposes of this act. The 22 consortium shall be considered a public instrumentality for the 23 purposes of grantmaking, accountability and public access. 24 (d) Administrative housing.--The consortium may enter into <-- 25 an agreement with the State Library System, an institution 26 within the State System of Higher Education or another public 27 institution to provide administrative services, including 28 payroll, procurement, human resources and information 29 technology. An agreement under this subsection may not affect 30 the consortium's status as an independent, nonpartisan, 20250HB2048PN2875 - 4 - 1 nonprofit organization, its governance or its grantmaking 2 authority. The consortium's employees, funds and records shall 3 remain separate. A host institution may not direct or influence 4 grant decisions or the content of a funded project. 5 (D) INDEPENDENCE FROM CONTROL.--EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE <-- 6 EXPRESSLY PROVIDED UNDER THIS ACT, THE CONSORTIUM SHALL EXERCISE 7 ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS INDEPENDENTLY AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT 8 TO THE SUPERVISION, DIRECTION OR CONTROL OF THE GOVERNOR OR AN 9 EXECUTIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT, BOARD OR 10 COMMISSION OF THE COMMONWEALTH. 11 (E) SEPARATE EXISTENCE.--THE CONSORTIUM, INCLUDING THE 12 BOARD, AND ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, FUNDS AND RECORDS SHALL BE 13 SEPARATE FROM AND NOT PART OF ANY EXECUTIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE 14 AGENCY, DEPARTMENT, BOARD OR COMMISSION OF THE COMMONWEALTH. 15 SECTION 5. ADMINISTRATIVE, FISCAL OR LOGISTICAL SERVICES. 16 (A) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PERMITTED.--THE CONSORTIUM MAY 17 ENTER INTO A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH A HOST INSTITUTION UNDER 18 WHICH THE HOST INSTITUTION PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE, FISCAL OR 19 LOGISTICAL SERVICES. 20 (B) NO SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY.--A HOST INSTITUTION MAY NOT 21 SUPERVISE, MANAGE, DIRECT OR CONTROL THE CONSORTIUM, INCLUDING 22 THE CONSORTIUM'S POLICIES, GRANTMAKING, PERSONNEL, BUDGET, 23 BYLAWS OR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES. 24 (C) NONINTERFERENCE.--A HOST INSTITUTION MAY NOT INFLUENCE 25 OR ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE A GRANT DECISION, FUNDED CONTENT, 26 EDITORIAL JUDGMENT, GOVERNANCE DETERMINATIONS OR A PERFORMANCE 27 EVALUATION. 28 (D) PRESERVATION OF INDEPENDENCE.--THE PROVISION OF SERVICES 29 UNDER THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO MAKE THE CONSORTIUM 30 PART OF THE HOST INSTITUTION OR OTHERWISE TO AFFECT THE 20250HB2048PN2875 - 5 - 1 CONSORTIUM'S INDEPENDENT LEGAL STATUS. 2 Section 5 6. Duties of consortium. <-- 3 The consortium shall have the following duties: 4 (1) Award competitive grants to eligible entities for 5 projects that expand access to local news and civic 6 information, with priority given to underserved communities. 7 (2) Promote editorial independence and noninterference 8 in the content of a funded project. 9 (3) Support a diversity of media models, including 10 nonprofit, for-profit, legacy, digital, ethnic and community- 11 based outlets. 12 (4) Establish formal and informal partnerships with 13 State agencies and commissions, the State Library System, <-- 14 institutions of higher education, EXECUTIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE <-- 15 AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS OF THE 16 COMMONWEALTH, municipal governments, school districts and 17 other civic bodies to expand public access and civic 18 participation. 19 (5) Design and execute a pilot program. 20 (6) Develop a long-term funding plan, including options 21 such as a capitalized public trust and a dedicated fee on 22 ultra-large digital advertising firms, exempting community 23 outlets. 24 (7) Establish measurable metrics and reporting 25 requirements for each grant recipient. 26 (8) Provide technical support to eligible entities 27 seeking to build capacity or replicate successful models. 28 (9) Publish and submit an annual report to the Governor 29 and the General Assembly on grants awarded, funds disbursed, 30 geographic distribution, project outcomes, performance 20250HB2048PN2875 - 6 - 1 against metrics and public input received. 2 (10) Convene public summits and hearings across regions 3 of this Commonwealth to solicit input on the consortium. 4 (11) Administer training programs for journalists, 5 community media producers and students to build local 6 capacity for civic information gathering and distribution. 7 (12) Research the relationship between local journalism, 8 democratic governance and civic engagement. 9 (13) Hold at least one annual public meeting in each of 10 the northern, central and southern regions of this 11 Commonwealth to solicit input on community needs, performance 12 of grant recipients and future priorities of the consortium. 13 (14) Establish and periodically review objective 14 criteria to identify underserved communities for the purposes 15 of awarding grants. The criteria may include measures of 16 access to local news and civic information, population 17 demographics, income levels and linguistic diversity, and 18 shall guide the consortium's grantmaking policies and 19 priorities. 20 Section 6 7. Governance of consortium. <-- 21 (a) Board composition.--The consortium shall be governed by 22 a board consisting of 15 members, including all of the 23 following: 24 (1) Representatives from journalism programs and media 25 organizations. 26 (2) Individuals with experience in civic engagement, 27 community development or public policy. 28 (3) Representatives from the State Library System or 29 public library associations, NOT INCLUDING A HOST <-- 30 INSTITUTION. 20250HB2048PN2875 - 7 - 1 (4) Individuals with expertise in nonprofit management, 2 grant administration or financial oversight. 3 (5) Representatives of underserved communities. 4 (6) A representative of an ethnic or community media 5 outlet. 6 (7) A legal expert with experience in First Amendment or 7 media law. 8 (8) At least two persons affiliated with a public 9 institution of higher education operating in this 10 Commonwealth, NOT INCLUDING A HOST INSTITUTION. <-- 11 (b) Appointment.-- 12 (1) Initial members of the board shall be appointed as 13 follows: 14 (i) The Governor shall appoint one member. 15 (ii) The President pro tempore of the Senate and the 16 Minority Leader of the Senate shall each appoint one 17 member. 18 (iii) The Speaker of the House of Representatives 19 and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives 20 shall each appoint one member. 21 (iv) The Chancellor of the State System of Higher 22 Education, in consultation with the State Librarian, 23 shall jointly appoint one member. 24 (v) The six members appointed under subparagraphs 25 (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) shall, by a public, merit-based 26 process consistent with the bylaws, appoint the remaining 27 nine members necessary to reach the board size under 28 subsection (a). Appointees under subparagraphs (i), (ii), 29 (iii) and (iv) may not constitute a majority of the 30 board. 20250HB2048PN2875 - 8 - 1 (2) Initial and subsequent appointments shall reflect 2 the expertise and perspectives listed under subsection (a). 3 (3) Initial appointments shall be made within 60 days of 4 the effective date of this paragraph. 5 (c) Subsequent appointments.--After the initial board is 6 seated, vacancies shall be filled through a public, merit-based 7 process consistent with the bylaws to maintain the expertise and 8 perspectives required under subsection (a) and to preserve the 9 restriction in subsection (b)(1)(v) that appointees under 10 subsection (b)(1)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) may not constitute a 11 majority of the board. The board shall consist of 15 members at 12 all times. 13 (d) Conflicts and diversity in bylaws.--The bylaws shall 14 ensure geographic, demographic and political diversity and shall 15 include standards to prevent conflicts of interest. The bylaws 16 shall contain safeguards to prevent dominance by a single 17 political party or interest group. A single political party or 18 interest group may not constitute a majority of the board's 19 appointees, and the appointees under subsection (b)(1)(i), (ii), 20 (iii) and (iv) may not constitute a majority of the board. 21 (e) Board duties.--The board shall have the following 22 duties: 23 (1) Adopt bylaws and operational procedures. 24 (2) Appoint and oversee an executive director. 25 (3) Establish application guidelines and evaluation 26 criteria. 27 (4) Approve grants, budgets and financial reports. 28 (5) Ensure that all funded projects are subject to 29 metrics and public accountability. 30 (6) Hold regular public meetings, including one annual 20250HB2048PN2875 - 9 - 1 public meeting in each of the northern, central and southern 2 regions of this Commonwealth. 3 (7) Oversee independent evaluations of grant outcomes 4 and fiscal audits. 5 (F) EXCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE AUTHORITY.--THE BOARD SHALL <-- 6 EXERCISE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE GOVERNANCE, FINANCES AND 7 OPERATIONS OF THE CONSORTIUM. AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE 8 OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OR AN EXECUTIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, 9 DEPARTMENT, BOARD OR COMMISSION OF THE COMMONWEALTH MAY NOT 10 SUPERVISE, DIRECT OR CONTROL THE BOARD OR THE CONSORTIUM OR 11 OTHERWISE INTERFERE WITH A LAWFUL ACTION OF THE BOARD. 12 Section 7 8. Grantmaking priorities. <-- 13 In awarding grants, the consortium shall prioritize proposals 14 that meet the following criteria: 15 (1) Fill gaps in civic information or local journalism 16 in underserved communities. 17 (2) Support the development of public-interest 18 journalism and civic media infrastructure. 19 (3) Foster collaboration between media outlets, 20 libraries, educational institutions and community 21 organizations. 22 (4) Increase civic participation and government 23 accountability. 24 (5) Promote equity and inclusion in newsroom practices, 25 content and staffing. 26 (6) Include community engagement in project design and 27 implementation. 28 (7) Offer replicable or scalable models that can expand 29 impact Statewide. 30 Section 8 9. Editorial independence. <-- 20250HB2048PN2875 - 10 - 1 (a) Protection of independence.--Grant recipients shall 2 retain full editorial control. The consortium may not interfere 3 in the editorial content of a funded project. 4 (b) Commonwealth neutrality.--An officer or agent of the 5 Commonwealth may not attempt to influence the editorial 6 decisions of a grant recipient. 7 Section 9 10. Public access and transparency. <-- 8 (a) Records.--The consortium, INCLUDING THE BOARD, shall <-- 9 maintain public records of its operations, including grant 10 awards, applications, meeting minutes and annual reports, 11 accessible under the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), 12 known as the Right-to-Know Law. 13 (b) Website.--The consortium shall maintain a publicly 14 accessible Internet website containing all of the following: 15 (1) A searchable database of funded projects. 16 (2) Application procedures and deadlines. 17 (3) Reports and evaluations. 18 (4) Schedules of meetings and public hearings. 19 (5) Contact information and opportunities for public 20 feedback. 21 (C) MEETINGS.--THE CONSORTIUM, INCLUDING THE BOARD, SHALL <-- 22 CONDUCT MEETINGS AND HEARINGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 65 PA.C.S. CH. 23 7 (RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS). 24 Section 10 11. Long-term funding strategy. <-- 25 (a) Transition from pilot.--Following the completion of the 26 pilot program, the consortium shall submit to the Governor and 27 the General Assembly a plan for long-term funding. 28 (b) Plan contents.--The plan may include all of the 29 following: 30 (1) Dedicated fees or levies and other sustainable 20250HB2048PN2875 - 11 - 1 revenue strategies identified by the consortium. 2 (2) Creation of a capitalized public trust to provide 3 ongoing financial support. 4 (3) Recommendations for additional legislative or 5 budgetary actions. 6 Section 11 12. Effective date. <-- 7 This act shall take effect in 60 days. 20250HB2048PN2875 - 12 -