HB 2048

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2623  PRINTER'S NO.    2875
              THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
                  HOUSE BILL
                  No. 2048
                                         Session of
                                           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
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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
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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,
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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
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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
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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.
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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
16Minority Leader of the Senate shall each appoint one
17member.
18(iii)    The Speaker of the House of Representatives
19and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives
20shall each appoint one member.
21(iv)    The Chancellor of the State System of Higher
22Education, in consultation with the State Librarian,
23shall jointly appoint one member.
24(v)    The six members appointed under subparagraphs
25(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) shall, by a public, merit-based
26process consistent with the bylaws, appoint the remaining
27nine members necessary to reach the board size under
28subsection (a). Appointees under subparagraphs (i), (ii),
29(iii) and (iv) may not constitute a majority of the
30board.
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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
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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.  <--
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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
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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.
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