Bylaws of Pennsylvania Legislative Climate Caucus
Climate Caucus November 29, 2022
ARTICLE 1. NAME
The name of this entity shall be called the Pennsylvania Legislative Climate Caucus (“Climate Caucus”).
ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Climate Caucus is to research, evaluate, discuss, and raise awareness about legislation, appropriations and related matters in ways that affirm evidence-based, peer-reviewed science, the acceptance that climate change is real and human-made, the importance of environmental justice, and the necessity for a renewable energy future. Further, the Climate Caucus operates to uphold the charge of environmental stewardship as laid bare in Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
ARTICLE 3. CAUCUS AFFAIRS
3.1 Regular Meetings. The Caucus may specify the time and place either within or beyond Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for holding regular meetings.
3.2 Notice of Special Meetings. Written notice stating the place, day, and hour of each special meeting shall be delivered by electronic mail to each member at his/her government-provided email address at least two business (2) days before the meeting.
3.3 Quorum. A majority of the total number of members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Caucus meeting but, if less than a majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
3.4 Meeting in absentia. Members may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar virtual communications provided all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Members. The Climate Caucus shall be composed of current members and members-elect of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
4.2 Qualifications. Beyond serving in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the only requirement for becoming a member is signing a document provided by the Secretary that affirms one’s commitment to Article 2 of the Bylaws.
4.3 Good standing. Good standing is defined by a member who has either attended or sent a designee to attend on said member’s behalf 1) the majority of regularly scheduled Climate Caucus meetings in the first calendar year within a new legislative term, 2) has not missed three (3) or more consecutive, regularly scheduled meetings, and 3) has signed and returned to the Secretary the attestation referenced in Article 4.2 within thirty (30) days of confirming via email interest in joining or remaining a Climate Caucus member.
4.4 Resignation. Any member may resign at any time by delivering written notice to an officer of the Caucus.
4.5 Removal. A member may be removed from office upon the vote of a super-majority of the members.
4.6 Vacancies. Any vacancy among officers may be filled by the vote of a majority of members. Unless he/she dies, resigns or is removed, a Director so elected shall hold office until his/her successor is elected. If there is not a quorum at the next scheduled Caucus meeting, the remaining officers can vote unanimously to appoint a replacement.
ARTICLE 5. EXECUTIVE BOARD
5.1 Officers. Members of the Executive Board (“Board”) are officers elected from among the members of the Climate Caucus.
5.2 Positions. The Board may be composed of the following positions: Co-Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary, each of whom shall be elected by Climate Caucus members. No member may hold more than one officer position at a time.
5.2.1 Chair. The Chair shall be the titular head of the Climate Caucus and collaborate on supervision of the affairs of the Climate Caucus.
5.2.2 Vice Chair. There may be one (1) vice chair per chamber of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Vice chairs shall (a) take meeting attendance, (b) assist co-chairs as necessary and (c) moderate Climate Caucus and Board proceedings in their absence.
5.2.3 Secretary. The Secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of meetings of the Board in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; (c) be custodian of the Climate Caucus records; (d) keep and update the contact information of members; (e) maintain and make publicly available non-proprietary information about the Climate Caucus, its activities and membership for the Office of Chief Clerk and for public consumption; and (f) in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board.
5.2.4 Officer Emeritus. The Board may vote to appoint an officer to an emeritus status on an annual basis should there be a need for a replacement or to fill a vacancy. An officer emeritus is not a voting member of the Caucus, does not have any duties, responsibilities or power of an active director, nor are they counted as a member for purposes of determining a quorum. Directors Emeriti may enjoy the contacts and privileges of being closely associated with the Caucus, sitting in all deliberations and being given the opportunity to voice their opinion, all without having any obligation to attend any meetings and without having any obligations of assuming any responsibility for the actions of the Caucus.
5.3 Election. Officers are elected by their respective chambers.
5.3.1 Voting Eligibility. The officers of the Caucus shall be elected by members 1) who went unchallenged in the general election by a major-party candidate, 2) whose main challenger has publicly conceded as independently documented by at least one credible source, or 3) for whom election results have been certified by their county commissioners, whichever is sooner.
5.3.2 Election Deadline. Elections shall occur no later than the first voting session day of a legislative term. Only eligible members can run for officer positions.
5.3.3 Officer Nominations. Candidates for officer positions must be nominated by a fellow Climate Caucus member in good standing and seconded by another Climate Caucus member in good standing.
5.3.4 Multiple nominees for co-chair. If there are more than two candidates from one chamber for a co-chair position, a vote shall take place electronically unless a motion is made and successfully passed to conduct a secret balloting in another fashion.
5.4 Term of Office. A term shall be 2 years, concurrent with each legislative session. An officer shall hold office for no more than three (3), consecutive two-year terms if serving in the House. Consideration of candidates for the Board should include recognition of the importance of gender expression and other social and geographic identities.
5.5 Resignation. Any officer may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board.
5.5 Removal. Any officer elected or appointed may be removed by members whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Caucus would be served thereby. Any officer who misses attendance at three (3) consecutive Caucus meetings shall be automatically removed pursuant to these Bylaws. A majority of the members present when there is a quorum may waive such automatic removal. Removal of an officer for cause requires a super-majority of members present at a Caucus meeting after a quorum has been confirmed.
5.6 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause may be filled by the membership for the unexpired portion of the term.
ARTICLE 6. RECORDS
The Climate Caucus shall keep accurate records of account, minutes of the proceedings and such other records as may be necessary or advisable. All records of the Climate Caucus may be inspected by a member for any proper purpose at any reasonable time, upon reasonable notice to the Secretary of the Caucus.
ARTICLE 7. AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Caucus at any regular or special meeting of the Caucus.