Posted: | April 25, 2017 01:08 PM |
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From: | Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Modernizing the Consolidated Weights and Measures Act |
Every time we buy a gallon of milk or a pound of hamburger, scan groceries at the check-out, or fill up the gas tank, we trust that we are getting what we paid for. The Commonwealth’s Weights and Measures program administered by the Department of Agriculture is designed to ensure that both Pennsylvania businesses and their customers are getting a fair deal on a level playing field. The Consolidated Weights and Measures Act has largely been unchanged since the 1960’s, and I believe it is ripe for modernization for several reasons. Due to budgetary pressures, many local municipalities which had their own weights and measures programs authorized by the Act have turned over those responsibilities to the state. As a result, the Department of Agriculture has found itself with an ever-increasing workload but no commensurate increases in staff or resources. It may come as a surprise to some to learn that the Department currently has just 27 staff responsible for inspections across the entire Commonwealth. To address the problem, my bill would remove the prohibition on using private-sector inspectors, Certified Examiners of Weights and Measures (CEWMs), to inspect two of the Department’s largest workload demands: truck-mounted fuel oil meters and retail vehicle fuel dispensers (i.e. fuel pumps). This alone would significantly reduce the demands placed on the overburdened state Weights and Measures program, freeing up scarce resources and allowing state inspectors to ensure that other devices are operating fairly and accurately. Also, the bill would allow the Department to take advantage of new technologies and computerization which have emerged to improve efficiency. Additionally, this legislation would allow the department to assess reasonable user fees to cover the costs of administering the program. This will also relieve the Motor License Fund of up to $5 million annually, freeing up desperately needed resources to repair our ailing roads and bridges. Finally, the legislation would remove outdated provisions. I hope you will join me in supporting this important legislation to protect Pennsylvanians and ensure everyone gets a fair deal. |