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Briggs bill protecting state agencies from excessive legal requests passes House

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    November 20, 2025 | 3:38 PM

HARRISBURG, Nov. 20 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, today announced the passage of H.B. 1934, bipartisan legislation he sponsored with Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin. The bill, which passed with broad support in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

Briggs, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said the bill provides critical clarity and protections for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and state agencies that have increasingly been subjected to overwhelming discovery demands in civil litigation – despite not being parties to those cases.

“House Bill 1934 is a straightforward, bipartisan solution to a growing problem that strains state resources and diverts attention from the core missions of our agencies,” Briggs said. “Federal courts’ recent interpretation of the Commonwealth Attorneys Act has opened the door to excessive discovery requests targeting agencies that have no actual role in a lawsuit. This bill restores the original intent of the act and protects taxpayers from unnecessary burdens.”

House Bill 1934:

  • Protects the Office of Attorney General and non-party state agencies from exhaustive and inappropriate discovery requests in civil litigation.
  • Clarifies which entities have a legitimate right to access state agency records when discovery requests are directed at the OAG.

The legislation adds a definition of “right to access” to Section 102 of the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, ensuring that the act’s existing authority to review books and papers cannot be misused to compel non-party agencies into responding to expansive document demands.

“This bill is about protecting the integrity and efficiency of state government,” Briggs said. “I’m proud to have worked across the aisle with Representative Kauffman to address this issue and ensure our agencies can continue serving the people of Pennsylvania without unnecessary and costly interference.”

Briggs represents the 149th Legislative District, which is comprised of Bridgeport, West Conshohocken, Upper Merion and parts of Lower Merion in Montgomery County.

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CONTACT: Ryan Bevitz
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: rbevitz@pahouse.net