RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title 1--GENERAL PROVISIONS
INDEPENDENT REGULATORY
REVIEW COMMISSION
[1 PA. CODE CHS. 101, 201, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313 AND 315]
Practice and Procedure
[29 Pa.B. 3349] By this order, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) adopts the amendments to 1 Pa. Code (relating to general provisions), as set forth in Annex A. Commission is deleting Chapters 101 and 201 in their entirety and adding Chapters 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311 and 315.
These amendments delete Commission's regulations promulgated under the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. §§ 745.1--745.15) (act) as originally enacted, the act of June 25, 1982 (P. L. 633, No. 181). Because the subsequent reenactment and amendments drastically changed the structure of the review process, the prior regulations are largely inapplicable and unenforceable. For this reason, Commission has deleted them in their entirety.
Embargoed material is covered in these amendments. Therefore, Commission has also deleted in its entirety Chapter 201 (relating to embargoed material--statement of policy).
Statutory Authority
These amendments are adopted under the authority contained in section 11(a) of the act (71 P. S. § 745.11(a)).
Background
This rulemaking implement the act of June 25, 1997 (P. L. 252, No. 24) (Act 24) amendments to the act. These amendments respond to administrative and procedural concerns that have continually surfaced since the previous revision of the act in 1989. The Legislative intent of the act and the mission of the Commission remain the same. However, the process has been streamlined and made more flexible, saving both the regulators and the regulated time and money.
The major changes brought about by the Act 24 amendments are as follows:
* Define terms that are widely used in the review process to insure their consistent application.
* Eliminate the responsibility of agencies to send copies or summaries of a final-form regulation to all parties who commented on the proposed regulation. Now agencies are only obliged to send this material to commentators who specifically request it.
* Allow the agency to toll the review process to make changes recommended by the Commission or the standing committee of the House or Senate commitee designated to review the agency's regulations.
* Reduce the blackout period from 72 hours to 48 hours.
* Establish uniform procedures for the submittal and review of regulations and reports immediately prior to and after the adjournment sine die of the General Assembly or the expiration of the Legislative session in even numbered years.
* Modify the time line for the Commission review of regulations to insure that the Commission has at least 10 days to consider committee comments and action.
* Restrict the Commission from reviewing an existing regulation that has been in effect for less than 3 years.
Purpose
The purpose of this rulemaking is twofold. First, it deletes obsolete regulations designed to implement the original version of the act that is no longer in effect. Second, it implements the latest revision to the act.
Summary of Amendments
Chapter 301 (relating to general provisions) sets forth the general provisions relating to the Commission's operation.
* Section 301.1 (relating to definitions) cross references terms defined in the act and defines additional commonly used terms and phrases to insure their consistent application. Terms and phrases defined in this section include: ''blackout period,'' ''deemed approved,'' ''delivery,'' ''embargoed material,'' ''end of Legislative session,'' ''existing regulation,'' ''face sheet,'' ''final regulation,'' ''form letters,'' ''LRB,'' ''order,'' ''public meeting,'' ''regulatory analysis form,'' ''regulatory review criteria,'' ''Sunshine Act'' and ''transmittal sheet.''
* Section 301.2 (relating to regulation files) implements section 5.1(k) of the act (71 P. S. § 745.5a(k)), which provides that Commission shall retain public records on regulations for 4 years after promulgation. This provision: (1) clarifies Commission's timetable for retaining files of regulations which are withdrawn or deemed withdrawn, or final regulations that have not been promulgated; (2) lists the materials that are retained in the public files; and (3) provides that after Commission takes final action on a regulation, the file will be closed, and only documents addressed to Commission will be included in a closed file.
* Section 301.3 (relating to determination of date and time of delivery) establishes how Commission determines and confirms the date and time of delivery of documents.
* Section 301.4 (relating to expiration of time period for delivery) establishes how Commission will determine when the committee and Commission review periods expire. Generally, if the allotted time ends on a day when Commission or committee is closed because of a holiday, weekend or an emergency, the review period is extended to the first business day thereafter.
* Section 301.6 (relating to delivery of a regulation to the wrong committee) provides direction to the agency when a regulation is inadvertently delivered to the wrong committee.
* Section 301.7 (relating to withdrawal of a regulation) describes the effects of a withdrawal or deemed withdrawal of a regulation.
* Section 301.8 (relating to agency contact person) requires an agency to designate a contact person to receive documents transmitted by Commission.
* Section 301.9 (relating to procedure for public hearings) implements section 11(c) of the act (71 P. S. § 745.11(c)). It establishes when and how Commission may conduct a public meeting.
Chapter 303 (relating to meetings of the Commission) describes how Commission meetings will be conducted.
* Section 303.1 (relating to notice of Commission public meetings; participation; minutes) provides that Commission will: (1) give notice of and conduct its meetings in accordance with the Sunshine Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 701--716; and (2) notify an affected agency and committees of a rescheduled meeting, in accordance with section 4(h) of the act (71 P. S. § 745.4(h)).
* Section 303.2 (relating to blackout period) outlines Commission's handling of documents received during the blackout period.
* Section 303.3 (relating to quorum) implements section 4(i) of the act. It provides that three members of Commission must be physically present to constitute a quorum. Once a quorum is present, the remaining members of Commission may participate and vote by teleconference or proxy.
* Section 303.4 (relating to proxy voting) establishes the procedures for proxy voting. It provides that the proxy shall be: (1) in writing, signed by the Commissioner and addressed to the Chairperson at Commission's office address; and (2) delivered by first class mail or facsimile, prior to the commencement of the public meeting. The Commissioner must file a separate proxy for each vote. The Chairperson or a delegate will present the proxy at the time of the vote on the regulation, and the proxy will be recorded as the Commissioner's vote.
Chapter 305 (relating to procedures of delivery and review of proposed regulation) implements section 5 of the act (71 P. S. § 745.5). It outlines the procedures for delivery and review of proposed regulations
* Section 305.1 (relating to procedures for delivery and review of proposed regulation) provides that an agency shall deliver a proposed regulation on the same date to the Commission, the committees and the LRB, lists the material which must accompany the regulation and incorporates the uniform sine die provisions in section 5(f) of the act if delivery is precluded due to the end of the Legislative session.
* Section 305.2 (relating to delivery of comments and information by an agency) outlines the agency's responsibility for delivering comments it has received to Commission and committees.
* Section 305.3 (relating to Commission review period) provides that Commission has 10 days after the expiration of the committee review period to complete its review of the regulation.
* Section 305.4 (relating to Commission comments on a proposed regulation) outlines the procedure for Commission delivery and agency receipt of Commission's comments. It provides that if Commission has not objected to a provision in the proposed regulation, subsequent disapproval of the final-form regulation may only be based on changes made to the proposed regulation, or recommendations from a committee.
Chapter 307 (relating to procedures for delivery and review of final regulations) implements section 5.1 of the act. It outlines the procedures for delivery of final-form and final-omitted regulations.
* Section 307.1 (relating to two-year period for promulgation) requires an agency to deliver a final-form regulation within 2 years of the close of the public comment period. If an agency does not meet this deadline, the regulation is deemed withdrawn.
* Sections 307.2 and 307.3 (relating to delivery of a final-form regulation; and delivery of a final-omitted regulation) provide for the delivery of final-form regulations, lists the materials which must accompany the regulation and incorporates uniform sine die provisions in section 5.1(f) of the act, if delivery is precluded due to the end of the Legislative session.
* Section 307.4 (relating to tolling the review period) outlines the procedures to be followed by an agency and the Commission if the agency tolls the review period. It also establishes how the Commission calculates the resumption of the review period after the tolled regulation has been delivered.
* Section 307.5 (relating to procedure for tolling) provides that: (1) the Commission has 10 days for review after the expiration of the committee review period; (2) the Commission's review period may be extended if the Commission action is precluded due to lack of a quorum; and (3) the Commission will consider all comments received in determining whether a regulation meets the regulatory review criteria.
Chapter 309 (relating to action on regulations) implements section 6 of the act (71 P. S. § 745.6). It outlines the actions the Commission and committees may take on regulations, and the results of specific actions.
* Section 309.1 (relating to Commission and committee action on a final regulation) provides that if the Commission and the committees approve or are deemed to have approved a regulation, the agency may proceed with promulgation. This provision also outlines what must occur for a regulation to be deemed approved.
* Section 309.2 (relating to Commission approval/committee disapproved of a final regulation) provides that if Commission approves a regulation, which a committee has disapproved, Commission must notify the disapproving committee within 2 business days of its approval.
Chapter 311 (relating to procedures for review of disapproved final regulations) outlines the procedures for subsequent review of disapproved final-form and final-omitted regulations.
* Section 311.1 (relating to Commission disapproval of a final regulation) implements section 6(a) and (b) of the act. It provides that Commission's disapproval order will: (1) specify the review criteria which the regulation failed to meet; (2) be delivered to the LRB, the committees and the agency; and (3) bar the agency from promulgating the regulation until subsequent Commission and committee review is completed.
* Section 311.2 (relating to response by an agency to Commission disapproval) implements section 7(a) and (a.1) of the act (71 P. S. § 745.7(a) and (a.1)). It requires the agency to notify the Commission and the committees within 7 days whether the agency will withdraw, resubmit without revision or revise a disapproved regulation. This provision cross references section 7(a.1) of the act if the agency is precluded from delivering its notification because of the end of the Legislative session.
* Section 311.3 (relating to subsequent review of regulation without revisions or modifications) implements section 7(b) of the act. It provides for: (1) agency delivery of a report to the committees if the agency decides to resubmit a disapproved regulation without revision; (2) materials the report must contain; (3) the time period for committee review of the report; and (4) a cross reference to section 7(d) of the act, which outlines the concurrent resolution process.
* Section 311.4 (relating to delivery of regulation with revisions) implements section 7(c) of the act. It provides for: (1) agency delivery of a report to the Commission and committees if the agency decides to revise and resubmit the regulation; (2) material that the report must contain; (3) the time period for the Commission and committee review of the report; and (4) a cross reference to section 7(d) of the act, which outlines the concurrent resolution process.
Chapter 313 (relating to emergency certified regulations) implements section 6(b) the act. It outlines the procedures for the delivery and review of emergency certified regulations.
* Section 313.1 (relating to general) describes when and how an agency may submit a final-form or final-omitted regulation certified as an emergency by either the Governor or Attorney General.
* Section 313.2 (relating to review of an emergency certified final regulation) establishes that an emergency certified regulation takes effect immediately upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. If disapproved, the regulation will be rescinded after 120 days or upon final disapproval under section 7(d) of the act, whichever occurs later. This provision also incorporates the statutory and regulatory tolling provisions.
Chapter 315 (relating to existing regulations and unpublished documents) outlines the procedures for review of existing regulations and statements of policy.
* Section 315.1 (relating to review of an existing regulation) implements section 8.1 of the act (71 P. S. § 745.8a). It provides that: (1) the Commission may review an existing regulation which has been in effect for at least 3 years; (2) if warranted, the Commission will notify the agency of issues raised and request a response; and (3) after a review of all pertinent material, the Commission will issue a report to the agency, committees, Governor and Attorney General setting forth its findings and recommendations.
* Section 315.2 (relating to review of an unpublished document) implements section 7.1 of the act (71 P. S. § 745.7a). It provides that if the Commission finds a published or an unpublished document should be promulgated as a regulation, it may present the matter to the Joint Committee on Documents.
Fiscal Impact and Paperwork Requirements
These amendments do not create a negative fiscal impact or an increased paperwork requirement. In fact, allowance for electronic and facsimile transmission of documents will reduce paperwork.
Summary of Public Comments and Changes
These amendments were published as proposed 29 Pa.B. 980 (February 20, 1999). The regulations were also published on the Commission's website at www.irrc.state. pa.us. Written comments, suggestions or objections were requested within a 45-day period after publication of the proposed amendments. Comments were received from the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Attorney General and the Hospital and Healthsystems Association of Pennsylvania. Under section 11(a) of the act (71 P. S. § 745.11(a)), the Joint Committee on Documents also filed comments. Following is a summary of the comments, the Commission's response to those comments and the changes to the proposed rulemaking.
Comment
In § 301.1, the definition of the term ''regulation'' is not the same as the definition of the term as it appears in the act. To maintain consistency, the definition of the term in the regulation should be changed to mirror the definition in the act. Also, in the definition of ''embargoed material,'' the word ''entity'' should be replaced with ''agency,'' since that is the term used in the act.
Response
The definition of ''regulation'' has been replaced with a cross reference to section 3 of the act. The Commission did not replace ''entity'' with ''agency'' in the definition of ''embargoed material'' because the blackout established in section 5.1(j) of the act applies to both public and agency comments. To clarify the act's intent, the phrase ''any entity'' has been replaced with ''anyone.''
Comment
In § 301.2(b)(2), the phrase ''correspondence from the Attorney General'' should be deleted to avoid confusion.
Response
The phrase ''correspondence from the Attorney General'' has been deleted from § 301.2(b)(2).
Comment
In § 301.3(b), the regulation references the ''date and time of delivery'' of a regulation. It is more appropriate for the regulation to reference the date and time of receipt, since receipt is the defining event.
Response
''Delivery'' has been defined to mean both the deposit of regulations and other material with the Commission and the deposit of orders and other material with agencies and other parties. Because delivery and receipt are simultaneous events, a change in language is not necessary.
Comment
In § 301.3(b), ''shall'' should be replaced with ''should.'' The Commission should continue to confirm receipt of an agency regulation.
Response
This provision is intended to refer to public commentators and not promulgating agencies. The Commission has always given agencies confirmation of its receipt of regulations. Generally, this is accomplished by returning a copy of the signed transmittal sheet to the agency. The Commission has no intention of discontinuing this practice. To clarify the intent of this provision, the word ''sender'' has been replaced with ''commentator.''
Comment
It is unnecessary to reference ''legal holidays'' in §§ 301.4 and 301.5, because the other enumerated days in these sections would encompass all ''legal holidays.''
Response
The Statutory Construction Act, 1 Pa.C.S. § 1908 (relating to computation of time), provides that whenever the last day of a period of time falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, that day shall be omitted from the computation of time for that period. Therefore, it is not necessary to reference Saturday, Sunday or legal holidays in the provisions relating to the Commission's and the committees' review periods. To make the regulation more concise, these references have been deleted.
Comment
The requirement in proposed § 301.6 that a person receiving a regulation on behalf of a committee chairperson, Attorney General or the LRB sign the transmittal sheet with a full name, not initials, will impede the effective delivery of a regulation.
Response
This section, relating to signature on transmittal sheet, has been deleted.
Comment
Proposed § 301.6(b) and (c) (now § 301.6) were unnecessary. The phrase ''designated committee'' should be changed to ''correct committee.'' ''Delivery'' should be replaced with ''receipt.''
Response
Subsections (b) and (c) have been deleted. Also, ''designated committee'' has been changed to ''correct committee'' for clarity. However, because ''delivery'' has been defined as the deposit of regulations with the committees, and delivery and receipt are simultaneous events, ''delivery'' will not be replaced with ''receipt.''
Comment
The requirement in proposed § 301.9 (now § 301.8) that agencies designate a single contact person would create an impediment to the efficient operation of the regulatory process from the agencies' perspective. Not all agencies are structured so that a single person acts as a regulatory coordinator who is immediately available to receive Commission documents sent by facsimile or electronic mail. Another concern is that documents should not be deemed delivered if sent by e-mail or facsimile.
Response
The Commission agrees that it may not be practical for an agency to designate a single person to function as a contact person. Likewise, it may not always be presumed that delivery is made upon facsimile or electronic transmission. Therefore, the phrase ''or office'' will be added at the end of the first sentence. The phrase ''or office and delivery is confirmed'' will be added at the end of the second sentence.
Comment
In § 303.2(a), the use of the term ''party'' is imprecise. Technically, the agency is the only party to a regulation. In subsection (b), the term ''embargoed'' should be replaced with ''embargoed material,'' which is a defined term.
Response
Consistent with the change in the definition of ''embargoed material,'' ''any party'' has been replaced with the term ''anyone.'' In subsection (b), ''material'' has been added after ''embargoed.''
Comment
The Commission's statutory authority for establishing a procedure for proxy voting in § 303.4 is questioned.
Response
The Commission derives statutory authority for establishing a procedure for proxy voting from sections 2(a) and 4(a)(i) and 11(a) of the act (71 P. S. §§ 745.2(a)(i), 745.4(a)(i) and 745.11(a)). Section 2(a), relating to Legislative intent, provides, in part:
. . . The General Assembly finds that it must establish a procedure for oversight and review of regulations adopted pursuant to this delegation of legislative power in order to curtail excessive regulation and to require the executive branch to justify its exercise of the authority to regulate before imposing hidden costs upon the economy of Pennsylvania. It is the intent of this act to establish a method for ongoing and effective legislative review and oversight in order to foster executive branch accountability; to provide for primary review by a commission with sufficient authority, expertise, independence and time to perform that function. . . (Emphasis added.)Section 4(a) of the act, relating to the composition of the Commission, provides for representation of all four Legislative caucuses and the Governor. Bipartisan representation insures the Commission's independence.
Section 4(i) of the act provides that the only restriction on conducting Commission business is that three members be physically present to constitute a quorum. However, the provision does not limit or restrict the manner of participation for Commissioners who are not part of the quorum.
Section 11(a) of the act affords the Commission broad authority to establish procedures for conducting its business. That section provides in part:
The commission, in the performance of its functions under this act, has the power to promulgate and enforce regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this act. (Emphasis added.)These four provisions, read in pari materia, contemplate that the Commission will be an independent body, actively and continuously engaged in reviewing executive agency regulations. The proxy voting procedure implements the act by providing a Commissioner with the means to carry out this Legislative mandate in those instances when the Commissioner is unable to attend a Commission meeting at which a quorum is present.
Comment
The second sentence of § 305.1(a) prohibits agencies from the simultaneous delivery of regulations to the committees and the Commission in situations where time is of the essence. It should not matter whether the Commission is the last to receive the regulation. Further, the act does not require that the Commission be the final recipient of any regulation.
Response
In §§ 305.2(a), 307.2(a) and 307.3(a), the second sentence, providing that delivery to the Commission after delivery to the committees and, in the case of final-omitted regulations, to the Attorney General, has been deleted. The purpose of this sentence was to insure that delivery is made to the Commission and committees on the same day, as required in the act. Confirmation that delivery is made in accordance with the act is necessary for the Commission to accurately set its timeline for review. However, this is accomplished through §§ 305.2(b)(3), 307.2(c)(3) and 307.3(b)(3), which provide that the agency deliver a signed transmittal sheet indicating receipt by the committees and Attorney General.
Comment
The requirement in §§ 305.1(b)(4), 307.2(c)(4) and 307.3(b)(4), that the agency head or Office of General Counsel certify that the regulation was delivered to the committees in accordance with the act, is problematic. The act does not require this certification. Furthermore, the agency head and Office of General Counsel would not have first hand knowledge of the manner of delivery, and would have to issue this certification upon the representations of the messenger. Because this certification would not be based upon first hand knowledge, it would expose the certifying individual to adverse consequences if the certification were inaccurate and do little to assure the regulation was delivered correctly.
Response
This requirement has been deleted. As noted previously, delivery of the signed transmittal sheet will provide assurance that the regulation has been delivered in accordance with the act.
Comment
The provisions of § 305.2(a) are inconsistent with the act in that they expands the agencies' duty to deliver public comments well beyond the public comment period and obligates agencies to forward comments until the expiration of the Commission's review period.
Response
A cross reference to § 305.3 has been added, indicating that the requirement that agencies deliver comments received to the Commission extends only through the Commission's review period. This requirement is consistent with section 5(c) of the act.
Comment
Section 305.4(e)(2) allows the Commission to disapprove a final-form regulation on the basis of changes that the agency made to the final-form regulation. It is not clear whether this provision allows disapproval on the basis of additions to the final-form regulation.
Response
Section 305.4(e)(2) has been revised to indicate that changes such as revisions, deletions or additions may form the basis of Commission disapproval of a final-form regulation.
Comment
Section 307.2(b) requires the agency to mail a copy of the regulation or a summary of the changes to commentators who request information on the final-form regulation. The Commission should require agencies to send a copy of the final-form regulation, not just a summary of the changes.
Response
The language of § 307.2(b) has been changed to mirror the language in section 5.1(b) of the act. Rather than requiring only a summary of the changes from the proposed regulation, the provision now requires agencies to send a ''copy of the text of the final-form regulation or copy of all changes to the proposed regulation which are incorporated into the final-form regulation.''
Comment
Not all agencies have adopted the drafting convention in § 307.2(c)(7) and 307.3(b)(5). Some agencies use bold or highlighted text to indicate changes in final-form regulations. So long as the changes are immediately apparent and consistent throughout the regulation, the agencies should retain the discretion to choose how to best reflect these changes.
Response
The Commission believes that changes to executive agency regulations should be indicated in a consistent manner. Doing so will avoid confusion by the General Assembly and the public as to the scope of the changes. Accordingly, §§ 307.2(c)(6) and 307.3(b)(5) will not be changed.
Comment
Sections 307.4 and 307.5 do not provide an opportunity for commentators to comment on changes to a tolled regulation. The Commission should establish a reasonable period of time for comment for changes made to a final-form regulation as a result of the tolling process.
Response
This section will not be changed. The act does not impose any requirement on agencies to notify commentators that the time for review of a regulation has been tolled or provide commentators with an additional period of time to review the changes made during the tolling period. Although the act does not require agencies to share revised regulations with commentators, they are clearly not prohibited from doing so.
Two important statutory provisions safeguard against changes made during the tolling period which may arbitrarily impose new requirements on regulated parties without prior notice. First, tolling is limited to changes recommended by the Commission and the committees. Second, the review period may not be tolled if the Commission objects. The Commission may object if the scope of the changes exceeds the recommendations of the Commission or a committee.
Comment
Section 307.4 inappropriately restricts the tolling provisions in the act. The phrase ''and this section'' should be deleted from subsection (a). The act contains the requirements for tolling, and the regulation should not restrict or expand the circumstances regarding the procedure for tolling a regulation.
Response
The Commission is authorized to promulgate regulations to implement the act. With the changes discussed, the Commission finds that the regulations implement the act without imposing new requirements on agencies. Therefore, the phrase ''and this section'' is appropriate and will not be deleted.
Comment
Section 307.4(c) and (f) inappropriately restrict the ability of an agency to toll the review of a regulation. An agency may toll on its own initiative, and without the suggestion of the committees or Commission. Furthermore, the process established in the regulation is somewhat inefficient. When an agency notices an error with the citation in a regulation, it is counterintuitive for the agency to suggest to the Commission or committees that the review period needs to be tolled for the regulation to be amended. Then, the agency must have the Commission or the committees suggest to the agency that it toll the review period in order to make the change. In addition, the second sentence of subsection (f) is outside the scope of the act.
Response
Section 5.1(g)(1) of the act provides in part: ''. . . the agency may, unless the commission shall object, toll the time for the commission's and the committees' review of the final-form or final-omitted regulation in order to allow time for the agency to consider revisions to the final-form or final-omitted regulation recommended by the commission or a committee.'' (Emphasis added). The language of subsection (c) has been revised to more closely mirror this language of the act. The word ''only'' has been deleted and the word ''make'' has been replaced with ''consider.'' The second sentence of subsection (f) has been revised to more accurately reflect the circumstances under which the Commission may exercise its discretion to object to the tolling of the review period.
Comment
Section 307.5(b) is unduly restrictive and inconsistent with the act. The act provides that an agency may toll the review period to ''consider revisions.'' It does not require the agency to make any revisions or have specific revisions in mind when it tolls the review period. Subsection (b) assumes that the agency has a solution to address a problem with a regulation before the review period is tolled. Agency consideration during the tolling period may result in no change or a change that was not known at the time the review period was tolled. The reason for the 30-day tolling period is to permit the agency to re-examine the regulation, consider revisions and to make a determination as to the best way to proceed. The act does not require the agencies to have the answers in advance.
Response
Subsection (b) is designed to require the agency to provide the Commission with the minimum information necessary for it to determine whether it should object. This provision has been revised for greater consistency with the act and other provisions in this section.
Section 307.5 allows for the possibility that the agency may ultimately decide not to revise the regulation. In this instance, the agency need only provide the Commission with written notice that the regulation will not be revised.
Comment
Subsections (l) and (m) of § 307.5 are unnecessary, as they are provided for expressly in the act.
Response
Subsection (l), like subsection (k), outlines the time for review once a regulation is returned to the review process. Although the committee and Commission review periods are established in the act, inserting these provisions in the regulation provides an easily accessible reference point and avoids confusion as to the starting and ending dates of each review period. Therefore, subsection (l) will be retained. However, subsection (m), which provides a cross reference to the sine die provisions in the act, will be deleted. Because the statutory sine die provisions are detailed and comprehensive, the cross reference may be deleted in the interest of conciseness. Similar cross references will be deleted from §§ 305.1(c), 307.2(d) and 307.3(c).
Additional Changes
In addition to the changes made in response to the comments received, the Commission made the following additional changes:
* In the definition of ''delivery,'' the words ''or committees'' were added after ''Commission'' in subparagraph (i). This change clarifies the use of the term ''delivery'' in § 301.6.
* In § 301.8 (relating to agency contact person), the words ''e-mail address'' were added after ''address'' in the first sentence.
* To accurately reflect the Commission's recently adopted practice of holding one public session instead of two on scheduled meeting days, the definition of ''staff review meeting'' has been deleted and the definition of ''public meeting'' has been revised. Corresponding changes have been made to §§ 303.1 and 303.2.
* To clarify that a notice of intent to toll must be delivered prior to the beginning of the blackout period, § 307.4(d) has been revised.
Tolling
On June 7, 1999, the review period was tolled, and the regulation was resubmitted with revisions recommended by the House State Government Committee and the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. The revisions were as follows:
1. The reference to ''staff review meeting'' was deleted from the definition of ''blackout period.'' The staff review is now a part of the public meeting, and is no longer a separate session. This revision is consistent with similar revisions made throughout the regulations, and tracks the change in the Commission's meeting procedure.
2. The definition of ''deemed approved'' was revised to improve its clarity.
3. In the definition of ''delivery,'' the reference to ''other parties'' was deleted and replaced with ''persons.''
4. In the definition of ''end of Legislative session,'' the word ''regular'' was inserted before ''Legislative.'' This change will insure that sine die adjournment is not confused with the end of a special Legislative session.
5. In the definition of ''Sunshine Act,'' the statutory citation was corrected.
6. In §§ 301.4 and 301.5, the references to Saturday, Sunday and legal holiday were restored to improve clarity.
7. In § 303.4(a)(2), ''commencement of the public meeting'' was deleted and replaced with ''vote.'' Accordingly, a proxy may be presented anytime before the vote is taken.
8. In § 303.4(b), the reference to ''a delegate'' was deleted and replaced with ''another Commissioner or the Executive Director.'' This change clarifies who may deliver a proxy vote.
9. In § 307.5(g), the second sentence was deleted. In § 307.5(h), the phrase ''signed by the committees'' was added after ''sheet.'' These revisions are consistent with similar revisions to the regulation, which clarify that a regulation does not have to be delivered to the Commission last. However, a completed transmittal sheet must be delivered with the regulation.
10. In § 309.1(a), the word ''present'' was deleted and replaced with ''participating.'' This change clarifies that the votes of members who are participating either by telephone or proxy are counted toward the majority.
11. In § 309.2(a), revisions were made to clarify the provision's application to situations where a regulation is either approved or deemed approved.
Regulatory Review
Under sections 5(a) and 11(a) of the act, Commission submitted a copy of the proposed amendments on February 9, 1999, to the Joint Committee on Documents, the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee and the House State Government Committee. In addition to submitting the proposed amendments, Commission has provided the Joint Committee on Documents and the Committees with a copy of a completed Regulatory Analysis Form. A copy of this material is available to the public upon request.
In compliance with section 5.1(a) and (b) of the act, Commission also provided the Joint Committee on Documents and the Committees with copies of all comments received.
In preparing these final-form regulations, the Commission has considered all comments received from the Joint Committee on Documents, the Committees and the public.
These final-form regulations were submitted to the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, the House State Government Committee and the Joint Committee on Documents on May 20, 1999. On June 7, 1999, the review period was tolled and the final-form regulations were resubmitted with revisions recommended by both Committees. The final-form regulations were approved by the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee on June 14, 1999, by the House State Government Committee on June 8, 1999, and by the Joint Committee on Documents on June 21, 1999, in accordance with sections 5.1(d) and (e) of the act.
Findings
Commission finds that:
(1) Pubic notice of intention to adopt the administrative regulations adopted by this order has been given under sections 201 and 202 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1201 and 1202) and the regulations thereunder in 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2.
(2) The adoption of these amendments in the manner provided in this order is necessary and appropriate for the administration and enforcement of the act.
Order
The Commission, acting under the act, orders that:
(a) The regulations of Commission, Chapters 101, 201, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313 and 315, are amended by deleting §§ 101.1--101.11 and 201.1--201.3 to read as set forth at 29 Pa.B. 980 (February 20, 1999) and by adding §§ 301.1--301.9, 303.1--303.4, 305.1--305.4, 307.1--307.6, 309.1, 309.2, 311.1--311.4, 313.1, 313.2, 315.1 and 315.2 to read as set forth in Annex A.
(b) The Chairperson of Commission shall certify this order, 29 Pa.B. 980 and Annex A and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
(c) This order shall take effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as final rulemaking.
JOHN R. MCGINLEY, Jr.,
ChairpersonFiscal Note: Fiscal Note 70-6 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulations.
[Continued on next Web Page]
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Bulletin full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
