PRINTER'S NO. 581
No. 40 Session of 1977
INTRODUCED BY BRUNNER, VROON, POTT, WEIDNER AND MOEHLMANN,
MARCH 2, 1977
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MARCH 2, 1977
In the House of Representatives, March 2, 1977
1 WHEREAS, Milk producers in Pennsylvania during the past
2 several years have lost money due to milk dealers and
3 cooperatives going out of business, especially in Western
4 Pennsylvania; and
5 WHEREAS, It is alleged that the bonding provisions under the
6 Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Law may need revision; and
7 WHEREAS, It also is alleged that the failures who due to
8 inadequate pricing structures in the Pittsburgh market plus some
9 illegal practices; and
10 WHEREAS, It further is alleged that producer losses were due
11 in large to over-extension of credit to dealers by cooperatives
12 plus some questionable enforcement of bonding requirements by
13 the Milk Marketing Board; therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, That prior to the preparation and introduction of
15 any legislation designed to correct the problems the House
16 Committee on Agriculture be authorized to examine, investigate
17 and make a complete study of the actual circumstances
1 surrounding these losses; and be it further
2 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
3 testimony, and make its investigations at such places as it
4 deems necessary. It may issue subpoenas under the hand and seal
5 of its chairman commanding any person to appear before it and to
6 answer questions touching matters properly being inquired into
7 by the committee and to produce such books, papers, records and
8 documents as the committee deems necessary. Such subpoenas may
9 be served upon any person and shall have the force and effect of
10 subpoenas issued out of the courts of this Commonwealth. Any
11 person who willfully neglects or refuses to testify before the
12 committee or to produce any books, papers, records or documents,
13 shall be subject to the penalties provided by the laws of the
14 Commonwealth in such case. Each member of the committee shall
15 have power to administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses
16 appearing before the committee; and be it further
17 RESOLVED, That within 30 calendar days after the committee
18 has made its report, the chairman of the committee shall cause a
19 record of all expenses incurred by the committee, or the members
20 thereof, which are payable at Commonwealth expense, to be filed
21 with the Speaker of the House and the Speaker shall cause the
22 same to be entered in the journal thereof. No expenses incurred
23 by the committee or any member thereof shall be reimbursable by
24 the Chief Clerk unless such expense shall first have been
25 included as an expense item in the record heretofore required;
26 and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the committee shall report its findings
28 together with its recommendations for remedial legislation or
29 other appropriate actions to the House of Representatives at the
30 earliest practicable date.
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