Politics & Government

'New Year' Means New Laws In Some Places: Not Here

Unlike in some places, Jan. 1 isn't a significant date for laws to go into effect in Pennsylvania or in Philadelphia.

, Jan. 1 is a significant day for new laws to go into effect. But Pennsylvania isn't one of those places, and neither is Philadelphia.

City Council, for example, doesn't use the beginning of the year as an important time to pass laws. In fact, according to William Nesheiwat, who is Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller's director of legislation, most laws passed either go into effect immediately or are held for a 60 or 90 day period before becoming law.

That happens regardless of the calendar date.

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"As a general rule, our laws don't just happen on the first," Nesheiwat said.

There are three ways a matter can become Philadelphia law:

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  • If the mayor signs it after it is passed by City Council;
  • If the mayor does nothing, it becomes law after two City Council sessions;
  • If the mayor vetoes it, City Council can override that veto.

But Nesheiwat said that the calendar date is essentially insignificant. The same holds true in Pennsylvania, which is very different from its fellow state, California, where 725 new laws went into effect Jan. 1.

Briana Elzey, chief legislative aide to state Rep. Cherelle Parker, (D-200),said in an email today that each piece of legislation designates its own time when it will go into effect.

According to information provided by Parker's research department in an email, "there is a provision at the end of each piece of legislation that says, 'This law shall take effect in XX days,' or, in some cases, 'This law shall take effect immediately.' Generally, there is a waiting period between when a law becomes effective, but the length of time depends on the particular law. Usually it is 30, 60 or 90 days."

Patti Brennan, legislative assistant to Pam DeLissio, state rep-elect for the 194th Legislative District, also said the passage of laws aren't affected by the beginning of the calendar year.


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