HARRISBURG — Bonuses to state government employees like the ones that have triggered an investigation by the state attorney general would be largely prohibited in a bill passed Wednesday by the Senate.

The bill, which passed unanimously, has been designed to address the millions of dollars in bonuses that have been awarded to staff members in the Legislature and the state's student loan agency. It still requires approval from the House and Gov. Ed Rendell.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Eichelberger Jr., R-Blair, said it effectively would stop bonuses from being awarded to staff members of all three branches of government. The legislation would prohibit the bonuses unless they were spelled out in advance in an employment contract or labor agreement.

Attorney General Tom Corbett is now investigating whether taxpayer-paid bonuses paid to legislative staff members were tied to work performed on political campaigns.

The measure also would force public disclosure of incentive clauses in employee contracts at all government agencies, including the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

By The Associated Press