Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 26, 2017 02:13 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Stephen Bloom |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Legislative Oversight of DEP Fines, Penalties and Fees |
| In the near future I plan to introduce legislation that would redirect revenue received by the Department of Environmental Protection from oil and gas fines, penalties and fees to the general fund rather than being automatically appropriated directly to the Department. Currently, when DEP collects such funds, that money is appropriated directly to the Department without legislative oversight. My legislation would instead send the money collected to the general fund. This would allow the legislature to appropriate the funds in a manner that best meets the needs of the Commonwealth, rather than surrendering that legislative privilege and duty to the Department. For regulation to be effective and fair, it must be enforced objectively without the presence of distorting incentives. My legislation would restore a more objective context for the fair and equitable enforcement of the laws and regulations currently in place. I hope you will join me in sponsoring this legislation. |