§ 51.38. Operation of the issuing agent for the Pennsylvania Automated Licensing Service (PALS).
(a) Sale of licenses.
(1) Issuing agents shall collect the required customer information, including Social Security numbers, at the time of purchase and ensure that the fishing license is accurate, correct and fully completed. The applicant shall verify the information provided to the issuing agent and entered into the PALS is accurate and correct and sign his own name or place his mark in the place indicated on the face of the license certificate. A license is not valid unless it is signed by the applicant. If an applicant indicates to the issuing agent that he does not have a Social Security number, the issuing agent shall ask the applicant to complete an affidavit on the form prescribed by the Commission certifying under penalty of law that the applicant does not have a Social Security number and the reason therefor. Upon completion and execution of the form by the applicant, the issuing agent may issue the license to the applicant. Issuing agents shall deny the issuance of a license to an applicant who fails to provide his Social Security number or who fails to sign an affidavit as required by this paragraph. Issuing agents shall retain the affidavits and submit them to the Commission at least once a month or in another manner prescribed by the Commission.
(2) Issuing agents shall verify the eligibility of the applicant for the class of license indicated on the license in accordance with § 51.32 (relating to resident and nonresident licenses). If an applicant for a resident license indicates that he is unable to establish that he is a resident of this Commonwealth by any of the means identified in § 51.32 other than by signing an affidavit of Pennsylvania residency, the issuing agent shall ask the applicant to complete the form prescribed by the Commission certifying under penalty of law that the applicant is a bona fide resident of this Commonwealth. Issuing agents shall deny the issuance of a resident license to an applicant who fails to establish his residency by signing the form or as otherwise provided in § 51.32. Issuing agents shall retain the affidavits of Pennsylvania residency and submit them to the Commission at least once a month or in another manner prescribed by the Commission.
(3) Issuing agents shall transfer the information provided by the applicant to the PALS and ensure that the PALS is otherwise operational and prints the license certificate legibly. Issuing agents may not provide a customer with more than one copy of a license certificate issued under PALS.
(4) Issuing agents shall provide a Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws with each license issued. Issuing agents also shall provide a copy of the summary book to any holder of a Senior Resident Lifetime Fishing License who requests one. Issuing agents are encouraged to provide a copy of the summary book, if adequate numbers are available, to other individuals who request one.
(5) Issuing agents shall make available licenses and permits for sale to the public in strict accordance with all policies, instructions, rules and regulations of the Commission.
(6) Issuing agents and their employees may not provide false or misleading information on a license. The date reported on a license sold shall be the date of the actual sale.
(7) Issuing agents shall keep customer information confidential and not use, release or permit the use of this information for any purpose not specifically authorized by the Commission or applicable law.
(8) Issuing agents shall return all original voided licenses to the Commission within 15 days of their issuance. Issuing agents shall pay the license fees for voided licenses that are not returned to the Commission within 15 days of issuance.
(9) Issuing agents shall return all documents designated by the Commission within the time frame specified by the Commission.
(10) Issuing agents shall maintain, as instructed by the Commission, displays, notices or other informational materials relating to licenses and permits provided by the Commission, distribute to customers and fishing guides other compliance or educational materials provided by the Commission and promote and market new products or privileges as required by the Commission.
(11) Issuing agents shall sell licenses and permits only at the business location specified in their application or approved by the Commission and at a place on the premises accessible to the public.
(12) Issuing agents may not offer or provide licenses or permits free of charge or for any fee not authorized by section 2715 of the code (relating to license, permit and issuing agent fees).
(13) Issuing agents shall redeem a license or permit voucher regardless of where the voucher was purchased.
(b) PALS equipment.
(1) Issuing agents shall ensure proper use of the PALS equipment and follow the PALS operating manual and subsequent amendments and revisions thereto.
(2) An issuing agent may not borrow, lend or otherwise transfer PALS equipment or supplies to another agent without the prior written consent of the Commission.
(3) Issuing agents shall safeguard PALS equipment and supplies from unauthorized, wasteful, inappropriate or fraudulent use. Issuing agents shall place the equipment and supplies in a secure location. Issuing agents shall use license paper stock only for purposes of printing licenses, permits, reports and receipts. Issuing agents shall promptly notify the Commission or its designee of equipment malfunction. PALS equipment and supplies are not transferable to other locations without the prior written consent of the Commission. Issuing agents shall return the defective equipment immediately to the repair center identified by the Commission.
(4) Issuing agents shall notify the Commission by telephone within 48 hours and submit a written report within 10 days after any fire, theft or natural disaster affecting PALS equipment and supplies or records.
(5) Issuing agents shall be responsible for the PALS equipment and the supplies relating to the issuance of licenses and permits, except for events beyond their control, and they shall assume financial responsibility for any damage to the PALS equipment resulting from negligence, malicious activity, abandonment, failure to return upon request of the Commission or improper electrical service to the equipment.
(6) Issuing agents shall carry appropriate insurance covering PALS equipment and supplies in an amount determined by the Commission. Issuing agents shall provide proof of insurance coverage upon the request of the Commission.
(c) Access and auditing.
(1) Issuing agents, their employees and subcontractors shall allow the Commission or other authorized representatives access to periodically inspect, review or audit PALS associated records, reports, canceled checks and similar material pertaining to PALS. Issuing agents shall maintain these records for 5 years.
(2) Issuing agents shall allow the Commission access to all materials and equipment related to the PALS operations. Issuing agents shall allow access to the Commission to make inspections during reasonable business hours, with or without notice to the issuing agent, to determine whether the issuing agent is in compliance with this section.
(d) Financial provisions.
(1) Issuing agents shall deposit the money received from the sale of licenses and permits in a designated bank account less the amount retained as an issuing agent fee under section 2715 of the code.
(2) Issuing agents shall have sufficient funds available in the designated bank account at the time of the electronic funds transfers. Upon notification of insufficient funds for payment to the Commission, the Commission may immediately and without notice suspend an issuing agent’s authority to issue licenses and permits, may assess an administrative fee in accordance with section 502 of the code (relating to collection fee for uncollectible checks) and may require the issuing agent to increase the amount of the bond or other security or to provide adequate bank account overdraft protection.
(3) Issuing agents shall provide written notification on the form prescribed by the Commission at least 15 days prior to changing banks, account numbers, ownership status, business status or other information used by the Commission or its designee for the purpose of collecting moneys owed by the issuing agent.
(e) Suspension or recall of agency.
(1) The Commission may suspend the issuing agency of any agent that no longer meets the Commission’s criteria for acceptance for participation in PALS until the agent becomes compliant.
(2) The Commission may recall the issuing agency of any agent that violates the requirements of this section.
Source The provisions of this § 51.38 adopted December 8, 2006, effective December 9, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7445.
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 Code 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.
