INDEPENDENT REGULATORY REVIEW COMMISSION Actions Taken by the Commission [31 Pa.B. 6358] The Independent Regulatory Review Commission met publicly at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 1, 2001, and took the following actions:
Regulations deemed approved under section 5(g) of the Regulatory Review Act--Effective October 26, 2001
Department of Transportation #18-352: Distribution of Highway Maintenance Funds (rescinds 67 Pa. Code Chapter 453)
State Board of Auctioneer Examiners #16A-644: Application Fees (amends 49 Pa. Code § 1.41)
Regulations Approved:
State Board of Veterinary Medicine #16A-5711: Continuing Education (amends 49 Pa. Code § 31.15)
State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure #16A-674: General Revisions (amends 49 Pa. Code Chapter 42)
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission #57-218: Natural Gas Emergency Plans and Emergency Actions (amends 52 Pa. Code § 59.63, adds §§ 59.71--59.75 and deletes §§ 69.21--69.27)
____ Commissioners Voting: John R. McGinley, Jr., Chairperson; Alvin C. Bush, Vice Chairperson, by phone; Arthur Coccodrilli; Robert J. Harbison, III; John F. Mizner, by phone
Approval Order Public Meeting held
November 1, 2001State Board of Veterinary Medicine--Continuing Education; Regulation No. 16A-5711
On November 3, 2000, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) received this proposed regulation from the State Board of Veterinary Medicine (Board). This rulemaking amends 49 Pa. Code § 31.15. The proposed regulation was published in the November 18, 2000 Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 30-day public comment period. Under section 5(e) of the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. § 745.5(e)), the Department resubmitted the proposed regulation on January 31, 2001. The final-form regulation was submitted to the Commission on October 5, 2001.
This rulemaking limits the number of continuing education credits from individual instruction programs. The new maximum allowance for these programs will be two credit hours per biennium. All licensees, approximately 3,000 licensed veterinarians and 800 animal health technicians, will have to comply with the regulation.
We have determined this regulation is consistent with the statutory authority of the Board (63 P. S. § 485.18) and the intention of the General Assembly. Having considered all of the other criteria of the Regulatory Review Act, we find promulgation of this regulation is in the public interest.
By Order of the Commission:
This regulation is approved.
____ Approval Order Public Meeting held
November 1, 2001Commissioners Voting: John R. McGinley, Jr., Chairperson; Alvin C. Bush, Vice Chairperson, by phone; Arthur Coccodrilli; Robert J. Harbison, III; John F. Mizner, by phone
State Board of Occupational Therapy--Education and Licensure General Revisions; Regulation No. 16A-674
On July 28, 2000, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) received this proposed regulation from the State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure (Board). This rulemaking amends 49 Pa. Code Chapter 42. The proposed regulation was published in the August 12, 2000 Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 30-day public comment period. The final-form regulation was submitted to the Commission on October 5, 2001.
The regulation eliminates outdated provisions, standardizes language and adopts the 1994 revisions to the American Occupational Therapy Association Code of Ethics. The regulation impacts both occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.
We have determined this regulation is consistent with the statutory authority of the Board (63 P. S. § 1505(b) and 1516(a)(2)) and the intention of the General Assembly. Having considered all of the other criteria of the Regulatory Review Act, we find promulgation of this regulation is in the public interest.
By Order of the Commission:
This regulation is approved.
____ Approval Order Public Meeting held
November 1, 2001Commissioners Voting: John R. McGinley, Jr., Chairperson; Alvin C. Bush, Vice Chairperson, by phone; Arthur Coccodrilli; Robert J. Harbison, III; John F. Mizner, by phone.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission--Natural Gas Emergency Plans and Emergency Actions; Regulation No. 57-218
On January 31, 2001, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) received this proposed regulation from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). This rulemaking amends 52 Pa. Code § 59.63, adds sections 59.71--59.75 and deletes sections 69.21--69.27. The proposed regulation was published in the February 10, 2001 Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 30-day public comment period. The final-form regulation was submitted to the Commission on October 5, 2001.
This final-form rulemaking establishes procedures for managing gas supply emergencies with the intent of maintaining gas service while minimizing service disruption. The regulation is mandated by the Natural Gas Choice and Competition Act of 1999 (66 Pa.C.S. §§ 2201--2212). All natural gas distribution companies will be required to comply with the rulemaking.
We have determined this regulation is consistent with the statutory authority of the PUC (66 Pa.C.S. §§ 501 and 2203(12)) and the intention of the General Assembly. Having considered all of the other criteria of the Regulatory Review Act, we find promulgation of this regulation is in the public interest.
By Order of the Commission:
This regulation is approved.
JOHN R. MCGINLEY, Jr.,
Chairperson[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-2078. Filed for public inspection November 16, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]
