Bill Text: PA HR345 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review the Commonwealth's sewage facilities management program authorized under the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 23-10)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-06-09 - Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY [HR345 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR345-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2044
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 345 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY GILLESPIE, BARRAR, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, CUTLER, DONATUCCI, FAIRCHILD, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GROVE, HENNESSEY, M. KELLER, LONGIETTI, MARSICO, MILLER, MOUL, MURT, OBERLANDER, PICKETT, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SAYLOR, SIPTROTH, STERN, TALLMAN, VULAKOVICH, WHITE AND YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 9, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JUNE 9, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review
the Commonwealth's sewage facilities management program
authorized under the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act.
WHEREAS, It is important for the Commonwealth to have in
place a comprehensive program that guides the planning and
development of sewage facilities throughout this Commonwealth;
and
WHEREAS, A comprehensive sewage facilities planning,
oversight and enforcement program will ensure public health and
safety and a quality environment; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognized the need for a
comprehensive sewage facilities management program and
consequently enacted the act of January 24, 1966 (1965 P.L.1535,
No.537), known as the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, and
more commonly referred to as Act 537; and
WHEREAS, Act 537 has provided for the overall planning,
development and placement of various sewage management
facilities; and
WHEREAS, Act 537 has been the vehicle through which existing
sources of water pollution are identified and mitigated and new
sources of water pollution are prevented; and
WHEREAS, Over time, technology and circumstances have
dramatically changed the manner in which sewage facilities are
planned for, deployed and managed, especially since the
enactment of Act 537; and
WHEREAS, A comprehensive review and evaluation of the
implementation of Act 537 has not been undertaken; and
WHEREAS, A review could lead to recommendations for cost-
savings opportunities to the Commonwealth, local governments and
citizens and opportunities to increase the public health, safety
and environmental protections associated with Act 537; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
be directed to undertake a comprehensive review and evaluation
of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act and prepare a report
of its findings which shall, at a minimum:
(1) determine the overall effectiveness of the act, its
accompanying regulations, guidance documents and policy
statements, in achieving the goals of protecting public
health and safety, preventing and eliminating pollution of
the waters of this Commonwealth and promoting intermunicipal
cooperation in the planning, implementation and
administration of sewage facilities;
(2) identify opportunities to streamline and make more
cost-effective processes associated with administering the
act at the State and local levels;
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(3) review the manner in which new onsite wastewater
treatment technologies are introduced into mainstream use
within this Commonwealth;
(4) review the process used to collect, account for and
disburse moneys received through fines and fees associated
with the program;
(5) identify the manner in which a high degree of
technical competency within local government administration
of the act is being facilitated by the Department of
Environmental Protection;
(6) evaluate the efficiency including the costs and
benefits associated with the overall training and
certification program for local sewage enforcement officers;
and
(7) review the effectiveness of all grant and
reimbursement programs associated with the act and its
accompanying regulations;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
make a report of its findings and recommendations to the House
of Representatives within one year of the adoption of this
resolution.
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