PA HB2048

Establishes the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium as an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit corporation to award competitive grants supporting local journalism and civic information projects, with priority given to underserved communities including rural, low-income, minority, immigrant, and limited-English proficient populations.

Creates a 15-member board of directors with appointments by the Governor, legislative leaders, and the Chancellor of the State System of Higher Education, with remaining members selected through a public merit-based process; no single political party may constitute a majority.

Requires a 2-3 year pilot program to demonstrate proof of concept and test grantmaking procedures, followed by submission of a long-term funding plan that may include dedicated fees on large digital advertising firms or creation of a capitalized public trust.

Protects editorial independence by prohibiting the consortium and Commonwealth officials from interfering with grant recipients' editorial content, while requiring transparency through public records, open meetings, and an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly.

Permits the consortium to contract with the State Library System or State System of Higher Education for administrative services, while explicitly barring host institutions from exercising any supervisory authority over governance, grantmaking, or editorial decisions.