As released by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati:

(HARRISBURG) - Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) today announced his intention to establish a bi-partisan Special Committee to pursue possible Senate action against Attorney General Kane, pursuant to Article 6, Section 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Scarnati explained that the “Special Committee on Senate Address” will be established under Rule 5(a)(2) of the Senate Rules. It will be comprised of three Republican members and three Democrat members, with the President Pro Tempore serving as an ex-officio member. Appointment of members to the Special Committee will be made next week by the Senate President Pro Tempore, in consultation with the Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa.

Article 6, Section 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states the following:

Article 6 § 7. Removal of civil officers. (in pertinent part) All civil officers elected by the people, except the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, members of the General Assembly and judges of the courts of record, shall be removed by the Governor for reasonable cause, after due notice and full hearing, on the address of two-thirds of the Senate.

“After considerable consultation with Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, other members of the Senate and the Governor’s office, it is my view that this step is warranted,” Senator Scarnati stated. “The Committee will be tasked with examining Ms. Kane’s ability to perform the functions of her position with an indefinitely suspended law license, as well as possible other areas that may impact her performance."

Preliminary Responsibilities and Duties of the Special Committee on Senate Address:

1) Within 30 days following the appointment of Committee members, the Committee will issue a written report to the full Senate with preliminary findings of the Committee, as well as an outline of procedures that the Committee will utilize should they elect to move forward.

2) Within the same period of time, the Committee will be tasked with determining if there is sufficient evidence that warrants notice and a hearing as required under the PA Constitution before the Special Committee on Senate Address.

Members of the bi-partisan committee will be announced and read across the desk in the Senate on Monday, October 26, 2015.