INDEPENDENT REGULATORY REVIEW COMMISSION Actions Taken by the Commission [30 Pa.B. 6020] The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) met publicly at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 2, 2000, and took the following actions:
Regulations Approved:
State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators #16A-626: Fees (amends 29 Pa. Code § 39.72).
State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons: #16A-600: Application Fees (amends 49 Pa. Code § 19.4).
State Board of Accountancy: #16A-558: Fees (amends 49 Pa. Code §§ 11.4, 11.5 and 11.17).
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission #57-213: Reporting Requirements for Quality of Gas Service Benchmarks and Standards (adds §§ 62.31--62.37 to 52 Pa. Code).
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission #57-212: Reporting Requirements for Universal Service and Energy Conservation Programs (adds §§ 62.1--62.8 to 52 Pa. Code).
Commissioners Voting: John R. McGinley, Jr., Chairperson, by Proxy; Alvin C. Bush, Vice Chairperson; Arthur Coccodrilli; Robert J. Harbison, III; John F. Mizner, by Phone
Public Meeting held
November 2, 2000State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators; Fees--Regulation No. 16A-626
On April 30, 1999 the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) received this proposed regulation from the State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators (Board). This rulemaking amends 49 Pa. Code § 39.72. The proposed regulation was published in the May 15, 1999 Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 30-day public comment period. The final-form regulation was submitted to the Commission on October 2, 2000.
The Board is proposing to revise or add fees for the following:
Existing Proposed Fee Title Fee Fee License application fee $30 $40 N.A.B. examination fee (Effective January 1, 2000) $170 $235 Complete nursing home administra tion examination (Effective Janu ary 1, 2000) $212 $322 Temporary permit fee $150 $145 Certification of examination scores $15 $25 Verification of licensure $10 $15 Verification of temporary permit None $15 Continuing education provider appli cation fee $50 $40 Continuing education program appli cation fee per credit $10 $15 The Board estimates that 1,000 persons will request one or more of the enumerated services over the next 2-year period. Total additional costs to the regulated community during that time span will be approximately $70,000.
We have determined this regulation is consistent with the statutory authority of the State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators (63 P. S. § 1107.1(a)) 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.
Commissioners Voting: John R. McGinley, Jr., Chairperson, by Proxy; Alvin C. Bush, Vice Chairperson; Arthur Coccodrilli; Robert J. Harbison, III; John F. Mizner, by Phone
Public Meeting held
November 2, 2000State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons; Application Fees--Regulation No. 16A-600
On September 17, 1999, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) received this proposed regulation from the State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons (Board). This rulemaking amends 49 Pa. Code § 19.4. The proposed regulation was published in the October 2, 1999 Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 30-day public comment period. The final-form regulation was submitted to the Commission on October 2, 2000.
This regulation amends the fee schedule for the Board by increasing 13 existing fees and adding two new fees. The Board estimates that 13,000 persons will avail themselves of one or more of the enumerated services over the next 2-year period. Total additional costs to the regulated community during that time span will be approximately $140,000. Only those requesting the enumerated services will be affected.
We have determined this regulation is consistent with the statutory authority of the State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons (63 P. S. § 818.30(b)) 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.
Commissioners Voting: John R. McGinley, Jr., Chairperson, by Proxy; Alvin C. Bush, Vice Chairperson; Arthur Coccodrilli; Robert J. Harbison, III; John F. Mizner, by Phone
Public Meeting held
November 2, 2000State Board of Accountancy; Fees--Regulation No. 16A-558
On May 3, 2000, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) received this proposed regulation from the State Board of Accountancy (Board). This rulemaking amends 49 Pa. Code §§ 11.4, 11.5 and 11.17. The proposed regulation was published in the May 13, 2000 Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 30-day public comment period. The final-form regulation was submitted to the Commission on October 2, 2000.
In response to a recent audit, the Board is increasing four fees to generate revenue to cover the actual costs of the services. These fees were last revised in 1990. In addition, the regulation implements the statutory requirement that the Board establish a new fee for the reinstatement of inactive or expired licenses.
We have determined this regulation is consistent with the statutory authority of the Board (63 P. S. §§ 9.3(a)(6), 9.6 and 9.9b(d)(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.
Commissioners Voting: John R. McGinley, Jr., Chairperson, by Proxy; Alvin C. Bush, Vice Chairperson; Arthur Coccodrilli; Robert J. Harbison, III; John F. Mizner, by Phone
Public Meeting held
November 2, 2000Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; Reporting Requirements for Quality of Gas Service Benchmarks and Standards--Regulation No. 57-213
On February 3, 2000, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) received this proposed regulation from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). This rulemaking adds §§ 62.31--62.37 to 52 Pa. Code. The proposed regulation was published in the February 19, 2000 Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 45-day public comment period. The final-form regulation was submitted to the Commission on October 2, 2000.
The final-form regulation establishes standard measurement and reporting requirements for customer service performance of natural gas distribution companies. The regulation implements portions of the Natural Gas Choice and Competition Act (Act). Under the Act, customer service for retail gas customers must be maintained at the same level of quality, under retail competition, that was in effect prior to the implementation of the Act.
We have determined this regulation is consistent with the statutory authority of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (66 Pa.C.S. §§ 501 and 1308) 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.
Commissioners Voting: John R. McGinley, Jr., Chairperson, by Proxy; Alvin C. Bush, Vice Chairperson; Arthur Coccodrilli; Robert J. Harbison, III; John F. Mizner, by Phone
Public Meeting held
November 2, 2000Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; Reporting Requirements for Universal Service and Energy Conservation Programs--Regulation No. 57-212
On February 3, 2000, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) received this proposed regulation from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). This rulemaking adds sections 62.1--62.8 to 52 Pa. Code. The proposed regulation was published in the February 19, 2000 Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 45-day public comment period. The final-form regulation was submitted to the Commission on October 2, 2000.
This regulation implements part of the Natural Gas Choice and Competition Act by establishing standard reporting requirements for universal service and energy conservation programs. All seven natural gas distribution companies will be required to comply. The PUC anticipates that this regulation will benefit the approximately 10,000 low-income customers in the Commonwealth.
We have determined this regulation is consistent with the statutory authority of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (66 Pa.C.S. §§ 501, 504, 2202 and 2203; and 45 P. S. §§ 1202 and 1205) 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. 00-1999. Filed for public inspection November 17, 2000, 9:00 a.m.]
