At a meeting of the House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee, members voted to approve House Resolution 25 to establish the Pennsylvania State Song Commission to study the history of the state song, solicit submissions for a new state song and recommend any changes.

Representative Sirisi, the resolution sponsor, told the committee the commission would run a statewide contest and let citizens choose a song. “I feel that it's time that we as a state, not us as legislators, but the almost 13,000,000 people get an opportunity to pick a new state song that represents our state,” Representative Sirisi said, and said the commission would pare submissions down from “the top hundred” to finalists and arrange performances for public voting. Sirisi suggested a public reveal during July 2026, tied to the 250th anniversary celebrations.

Josh, a committee staff member, summarized the measure for members, saying: “House Resolution 25 establishes the Pennsylvania State Song Commission to study the history of the State Song of the Commonwealth, solicit submissions for a new State Song, and recommend changes for the State Song.” Committee members asked procedural questions, including whether an existing song could be nominated; Sirisi replied that “we could do whatever we want at the end of the day,” and said the process would allow any submission selected by voters to stand, including the current song.

Representative Serrato moved consideration of the resolution; Representative Armenini seconded. Chair Lee James called for negative votes and, hearing none, announced the resolution had passed. The transcript records no roll-call tally and no negative or recorded dissenting votes.

The resolution directs creation of a study commission and does not itself change the official state song; the committee’s action approves the resolution for consideration and records the committee’s affirmative recommendation to the House.