PRINTER'S NO. 1768
No. 1 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY JUBELIRER, MELLOW, PIPPY, GORDNER, PUNT, BRIGHTBILL, PICCOLA, THOMPSON, STOUT, RHOADES, FERLO, RAFFERTY, PILEGGI, MUSTO, D. WHITE, DENT, ERICKSON, WAGNER, ARMSTRONG, BOSCOLA, MADIGAN, MOWERY, O'PAKE, KUKOVICH, WENGER, WAUGH, ORIE, LEMMOND, EARLL, LOGAN, COSTA, TARTAGLIONE, SCARNATI, STACK, ROBBINS, TOMLINSON, M. WHITE, SCHWARTZ, C. WILLIAMS, WONDERLING, WOZNIAK AND CONTI, JUNE 29, 2004
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 29, 2004
AN ACT 1 Providing for lobbying registration, regulation and disclosure; 2 conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of 3 State, the Office of Attorney General and the State Ethics 4 Commission; imposing penalties; establishing the Lobbying 5 Accountability Fund; and making a related repeal. 6 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 7 hereby enacts as follows: 8 Section 1. Short title. 9 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Lobbying 10 Accountability Act. 11 Section 2. Statement of intent. 12 The Constitution of Pennsylvania recognizes that all free 13 governments are founded upon the authority of the people. It 14 further provides that the power to make law in this Commonwealth 15 is vested in the General Assembly, and the power to enforce law 16 is vested in the Executive Department. The Constitution also
1 guarantees the people the right to petition those invested with 2 the powers of government for redress of grievances. The ability 3 of the people to exercise their fundamental authority and to 4 have confidence in the integrity of the processes by which laws 5 are made and enforced in this Commonwealth demands that the 6 identity and scope of activity of those who are paid to 7 influence the actions of the General Assembly and the Executive 8 Department be publicly and regularly disclosed. 9 Section 3. Definitions. 10 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 11 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 12 context clearly indicates otherwise: 13 "Administrative action." Any of the following: 14 (1) An agency's: 15 (i) proposal, consideration, promulgation or 16 rescission of a regulation; 17 (ii) development or modification of a guideline or a 18 statement of policy; or 19 (iii) approval or rejection of a regulation. 20 (2) The review, revision, approval or disapproval of a 21 regulation under the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), 22 known as the Regulatory Review Act. 23 (3) The Governor's approval or veto of legislation. 24 (4) The nomination or appointment of an individual as an 25 officer or employee of the Commonwealth. 26 (5) The proposal, consideration, promulgation or 27 rescission of an executive order. 28 "Affiliated political action committee." A "political action 29 committee" as defined in section 1621(l) of the act of June 3, 30 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election 20040S0001B1768 - 2 -
1 Code, which has a chairman, a treasurer or other officer who is 2 a principal, an officer or employee of a principal, a lobbyist 3 or an employee of a lobbyist, provided if an employee of a 4 registrant serves as the officer of a political action committee 5 in what is clearly a personal capacity and the goals and mission 6 of that political action committee clearly have no relationship 7 to the goals and mission of the registrant, such political 8 action committee shall not be considered an affiliated political 9 action committee for the purposes of this definition. 10 "Agency." An agency, board, commission, authority or 11 department of the executive department of the Commonwealth. 12 "Board." The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of 13 Pennsylvania. 14 "Commission." The State Ethics Commission. 15 "Compensation." Anything of value, including benefits, 16 received or to be received from a principal by one acting as a 17 lobbyist. 18 "Department." The Department of State of the Commonwealth. 19 "Direct communication." An effort, whether written, oral or 20 by any other medium, made by a lobbyist or principal, directed 21 to a State official or employee, the purpose or foreseeable 22 effect of which is to influence legislative action or 23 administrative action. 24 "Economic consideration." Anything of value offered or 25 received. 26 "Fund." The Lobbying Accountability Fund established in 27 section 10(b). 28 "Gift." As defined in 65 Pa.C.S. § 1102 (relating to 29 definitions). 30 "Immediate family." An individual's spouse, child, parent, 20040S0001B1768 - 3 -
1 brother, sister and like relative-in-law. 2 "Indirect communication." An effort, whether written, oral 3 or by any other medium, to encourage others, including the 4 general public, to take action, the purpose or foreseeable 5 effect of which is to directly influence legislative action or 6 administrative action. The term includes letter-writing 7 campaigns, mailings, telephone banks, print and electronic media 8 advertising, billboards, publications and educational campaigns 9 on public issues. The term does not include regularly published 10 periodic newsletters primarily designed for and distributed to 11 members of a bona fide association or charitable or fraternal 12 nonprofit corporation. 13 "Legislation." Bills, resolutions, amendments and 14 nominations pending or proposed in either the Senate or the 15 House of Representatives. The term includes any other matter 16 which may become the subject of action by either chamber of the 17 General Assembly. 18 "Legislative action." An action taken by a State official or 19 employee involving the preparation, research, drafting, 20 introduction, consideration, modification, amendment, approval, 21 passage, enactment, tabling, postponement, defeat or rejection 22 of legislation; legislative motions; overriding or sustaining a 23 veto by the Governor; or confirmation of appointments by the 24 Governor or appointments to public boards or commissions by a 25 member of the General Assembly. 26 "Lobbying." An effort to influence legislative action or 27 administrative action. The term includes: 28 (1) direct or indirect communication; 29 (2) personnel and office expenses in accordance with 30 section 5(b)(2)(i); and 20040S0001B1768 - 4 -
1 (3) providing any gift, entertainment, meal, 2 transportation or lodging to a State official or employee for 3 the purpose of advancing the interest of the lobbyist or 4 principal. 5 "Lobbyist." Any individual, association, corporation, 6 partnership, business trust or other business entity that 7 engages in lobbying on behalf of a principal for economic 8 consideration. The term includes an attorney while engaged in 9 lobbying. 10 "Principal." Any individual, association, corporation, 11 partnership, business trust or other business entity: 12 (1) on whose behalf a lobbyist influences or attempts to 13 influence an administrative action or a legislative action; 14 or 15 (2) that engages in lobbying on the principal's own 16 behalf. 17 "Registrant." A registered lobbyist or a registered 18 principal. 19 "Regulation." Any rule, regulation or order in the nature of 20 a rule or regulation, including formal and informal opinions of 21 the Attorney General, of general application and future effect, 22 promulgated by an agency under statutory authority in the 23 administration of a statute administered by or relating to the 24 agency, or prescribing the practice or procedure before the 25 agency. 26 "State official or employee." An individual elected or 27 appointed to a position in State government or employed by State 28 government, whether compensated or uncompensated, who is 29 involved in legislative action or administrative action. 30 Section 4. Registration. 20040S0001B1768 - 5 -
1 (a) General rule.--Unless excluded under section 6, a 2 lobbyist or a principal must register with the department within 3 ten days of acting in any capacity as a lobbyist or principal. 4 Registration shall be biennial and be coincident with the terms 5 of the members of the House of Representatives. 6 (b) Principals.-- 7 (1) A principal required to register shall file a 8 registration statement setting forth the following 9 information with the department: 10 (i) Name. 11 (ii) Permanent address. 12 (iii) Daytime telephone number. 13 (iv) Name and nature of business. 14 (v) Name, registration number and acronym of any 15 affiliated political action committees. 16 (vi) Name and permanent business address of each 17 individual who will for economic consideration engage in 18 lobbying on the principal's behalf. 19 (2) If a principal is an association, the number of 20 dues-paying members of the association in the most recently 21 completed calendar year shall also be disclosed. 22 (c) Lobbyist.--A lobbyist who is required to register shall 23 file a registration statement setting forth the following 24 information with the department: 25 (1) Name. 26 (2) Permanent business address. 27 (3) Daytime telephone number. 28 (4) A recent photograph of the lobbyist. 29 (5) Name, permanent business address and daytime 30 telephone number of each principal for whom the lobbyist will 20040S0001B1768 - 6 -
1 engage in lobbying. 2 (6) Name, registration number and acronym of any 3 affiliated political action committees. 4 (d) Amendments.-- 5 (1) When there is a change of information required for 6 the registration statement under subsection (b)(1) or (c), an 7 amended statement shall be filed with the department within 8 14 days after the change occurs. 9 (2) When there is a change in information required for 10 the registration statement under subsection (b)(2), an 11 amended statement shall be filed with the department within 12 14 days of the end of the year in which the change occurs. 13 (e) Termination.--A lobbyist or a principal may terminate 14 registration by filing notice of termination with the 15 department. Within 30 days of filing the notice, the lobbyist or 16 principal shall file a termination report, which shall include 17 all information required by section 5 through the final day of 18 lobbying activity. After a review of the termination report but 19 not later than 90 days after receipt of the report, the 20 department shall issue to the lobbyist or principal a letter 21 stating that the registrant has terminated registration. The 22 filing of notice or a termination report shall not affect the 23 commission's authority to conduct investigations and hearings. 24 No lobbying may occur after the filing of notice of termination 25 unless the lobbying is pursuant to a separate registration 26 statement which is filed with the department and which, at the 27 time of the lobbying, has not been terminated. 28 Section 5. Reporting. 29 (a) General rule.--A registered principal shall, under oath 30 or affirmation, file quarterly expense reports with the 20040S0001B1768 - 7 -
1 department. 2 (b) Content.-- 3 (1) Reports must list the names of all lobbyists by whom 4 lobbying is conducted and the general subject matter or issue 5 being lobbied. 6 (2) Expense reports must contain the following 7 categories: 8 (i) A single aggregate good faith estimate of the 9 total amount spent for personnel and office expenses 10 related to lobbying. This subparagraph includes salaries 11 and other forms of compensation, benefits, vehicle 12 allowances, bonuses and reimbursable expenses for those 13 involved in lobbying. If compensation is to be reported 14 by or for an individual or entity whose lobbying is 15 incidental to regular employment, it shall be sufficient 16 to report a good faith prorated estimate based on the 17 value of the time devoted to lobbying. Reportable 18 personnel costs include costs for lobbying staff, 19 research and monitoring staff, consultants, lawyers, 20 lobbyists, publications and public relations staff, 21 technical staff and clerical and administrative support 22 staff who engage in lobbying but are exempt from 23 reporting under section 6(12). This subparagraph includes 24 costs for offices, equipment and supplies utilized for 25 lobbying. 26 (ii) A single aggregate good faith estimate of the 27 total amount spent for direct communication. 28 (iii) A single aggregate good faith estimate of the 29 total amount spent for indirect communication. 30 (iv) The total costs for gifts, entertainment, 20040S0001B1768 - 8 -
1 meals, transportation, lodging and receptions given to or 2 provided to State officials or employees or their 3 immediate families. 4 (3) In addition to reporting the totals required under 5 this subsection, the expense report must identify, by name, 6 position and each occurrence, a State official or employee 7 who receives from a principal or lobbyist anything of value 8 which must be included in the statement under 65 Pa.C.S. § 9 1105(b)(6) or (7) (relating to statement of financial 10 interests) as implemented by section 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(d). 11 (i) For purposes of this act, the amount referred to 12 in 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(7) shall be considered an 13 aggregate amount per year. 14 (ii) Written notice must be given to each State 15 official or employee who is listed in the expense report 16 pursuant to this paragraph within seven days of the 17 report's submission to the department. Notice under this 18 subparagraph shall include the information which will 19 enable the State official or employee to comply with 65 20 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(6) and (7). For purposes of this act 21 and 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 11 (relating to ethics standards and 22 financial disclosure), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(6) and (7) 23 shall constitute mutually exclusive categories. 24 (iii) Regulations shall be promulgated under section 25 10(c) to define mutually exclusive categories under 65 26 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(6) and (7) and to determine whether a 27 thing of value is subject to disclosure under 65 Pa.C.S. 28 § 1105(b)(6) or (7). 29 (4) A lobbyist shall sign the reports submitted by each 30 principal for whom the lobbyist is registered to attest to 20040S0001B1768 - 9 -
1 the validity and accuracy to the best of the lobbyist's 2 knowledge. A lobbyist may attach a statement to the report of 3 any principal, describing the limits of the lobbyist's 4 knowledge concerning the information contained in the report. 5 (5) The expense report shall also include the name, 6 permanent business address and daytime telephone number of 7 any individual, association, corporation, partnership, 8 business trust or other business entity which contributed 9 more than 10% of the total resources received by the 10 principal during the reporting period. 11 (c) Separate report.--A lobbyist shall submit a separate 12 report from the report of a registered principal for whom the 13 lobbyist is registered if, during the reporting period, the 14 lobbyist engaged in lobbying which was not reflected in the 15 reports filed by the principal or principals represented by the 16 lobbyist. A separate lobbyist report shall contain the identity 17 of the principal for whom such lobbying was performed, the 18 general subject matter or issue being lobbied and all 19 information required under subsection (b)(2) and (3). 20 (d) Records retention.--A registrant shall retain all 21 documents reasonably necessary to substantiate the reports to be 22 made under this section for four years from the date of filing 23 the subject report. Upon request by the Office of Attorney 24 General, the board, the commission or the department, these 25 materials shall be made available for inspection within a 26 reasonable period of time. 27 (e) Thresholds for reporting.--An expense report shall be 28 filed when total expenses for lobbying exceed $2,500 for a 29 registered principal or a registered lobbyist in a reporting 30 period. In a reporting period in which total expenses are $2,500 20040S0001B1768 - 10 -
1 or less, a statement to that effect shall be filed. 2 (f) Voluntary disclosure.--Nothing in this section shall 3 prevent a principal or lobbyist from disclosing expenses in 4 greater detail than required. 5 Section 6. Exemption from registration and reporting. 6 The following individuals and activities shall be exempt from 7 registration under section 4 and reporting under section 5: 8 (1) An individual who limits lobbying activities to 9 preparing testimony and testifying before a committee of the 10 General Assembly or participating in an administrative 11 proceeding of an agency. 12 (2) An individual who is an employee of an entity 13 engaged in the business of publishing or broadcasting while 14 engaged in the gathering and dissemination of news and 15 comment thereon to the general public in the ordinary course 16 of business. 17 (3) An individual who does not receive compensation, 18 other than traveling expenses, for lobbying. 19 (4) An individual whose compensation for lobbying, from 20 all principals represented, does not exceed $2,500 in the 21 aggregate during any reporting period. 22 (5) An individual who engages in lobbying on behalf of 23 the individual's employer and where lobbying activity 24 represents less than the equivalent of $2,500 of the 25 employee's time during any reporting period, based on an 26 hourly proration of the employee's compensation. 27 (6) A principal whose total expenses for lobbying 28 purposes do not exceed $2,500 during any reporting period. 29 (7) An elected State official acting in an official 30 capacity. 20040S0001B1768 - 11 -
1 (8) A State official who is appointed by the Governor 2 acting in an official capacity. 3 (9) An elected or appointed official or employee of a 4 political subdivision acting in an official capacity. 5 (10) An employee of the Commonwealth or independent 6 agency of the Commonwealth acting in an official capacity. 7 (11) An individual representing a bona fide church or 8 bona fide religious body of which the individual is a member 9 where the lobbying is solely for the purpose of protecting 10 the constitutional right to the free exercise of religion. 11 (12) An employee, who is not a registered lobbyist, of a 12 corporation which: 13 (i) is registered as a principal under section 4; 14 (ii) has one or more registered lobbyists; and 15 (iii) includes in its reports under section 5 all of 16 the employee's expenses related to lobbying. 17 Section 7. Prohibited activities. 18 (a) Political committees.--A lobbyist may not serve as a 19 treasurer or other officer for a candidate's political committee 20 or a candidate's political action committee. 21 (b) Fee restrictions.--A lobbyist may not charge a fee or 22 receive compensation or economic consideration based upon an 23 understanding, either written or oral, that any part of the fee, 24 compensation or economic consideration will be converted into a 25 contribution to a candidate for public office or a political 26 committee. 27 (c) Falsification.--No lobbyist or principal may, for the 28 purpose of influencing legislative action or administrative 29 action, transmit, utter or publish to any State official or 30 employee any communication, knowing that such communication or 20040S0001B1768 - 12 -
1 any signature on the communication is false, forged, counterfeit 2 or fictitious. 3 Section 8. Administration and enforcement. 4 (a) Criminal enforcement.--If the department or commission 5 has reason to believe an intentional violation of this act has 6 been committed, it shall refer all relevant documents and other 7 information to the Office of Attorney General and, if the 8 lobbyist or principal is an attorney, to the board. 9 (b) Forms.--The department shall prescribe registration and 10 reporting forms to be used pursuant to this act. The forms shall 11 be available on a publicly accessible World Wide Web page. All 12 information requested on the forms shall be provided to the best 13 of the knowledge, information and belief of the person required 14 to file and shall be signed under oath or equivalent 15 affirmation. 16 (c) Attorney General.--In addition to the authority 17 conferred upon the Attorney General under the act of October 15, 18 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, 19 the Attorney General has the authority to investigate and 20 prosecute a violation of this act. 21 (d) Advice and opinions.--The commission shall provide 22 advice and opinions to a lobbyist, principal, the department, 23 the board or a State official or employee who seeks advice 24 regarding compliance with this act. A principal, lobbyist or 25 other individual who acts in good faith based on the written 26 advice or opinion shall not be held liable for a violation of 27 this act. 28 (e) Public inspection and copying.--The department shall 29 make registration statements, expense reports, termination 30 notices and termination reports which have been filed with the 20040S0001B1768 - 13 -
1 department available for public inspection and provide copies of 2 these documents at a price which shall not exceed the actual 3 cost of copying. Documents that are maintained and reproducible 4 in an electronic format shall be provided in that format upon 5 request. 6 (f) Annual reporting.--The department shall prepare and 7 publish an annual report on lobbying activities in this 8 Commonwealth. The department shall also annually publish a 9 listing of registered principals, identifying lobbyists who are 10 registered to lobby for the principal, and a listing of 11 lobbyists, identifying the principals for whom the lobbyist is 12 registered to lobby. 13 (g) Retention of records.--Registration statements, expense 14 reports, termination notices and termination reports shall be 15 available for public inspection with the department for a four- 16 year period which commences on the date of filing. 17 (h) Audits.--Annually, the commission shall conduct audits 18 of the registration statements and expense reports filed by 19 registrants. The registrants to be audited shall be selected by 20 lottery. The number of registrants selected for audits shall be 21 sufficient to ensure compliance with this act. An audit report 22 and related findings shall be confidential; however, the 23 commission may include the relevant portion of an audit as part 24 of its findings of fact in an order which results from an 25 investigation arising out of an audit. 26 (i) Investigation and hearings.--The commission, through its 27 executive director, may initiate an investigation and hold a 28 hearing, concerning negligent conduct by a lobbyist or 29 principal, in accordance with 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1107 (relating to 30 powers and duties of commission) and 1108 (relating to 20040S0001B1768 - 14 -
1 investigations by commission). 2 (j) Directory.--On or before May 1 of each odd-numbered 3 year, the department shall produce and distribute a directory of 4 all registered lobbyists, including photographs. Copies of this 5 directory shall be made available to the public at a price not 6 to exceed the actual cost of production. All revenue received by 7 the department from the sales of this directory shall be 8 deposited into the fund. 9 (k) Computer file.--The department shall provide the 10 Legislative Data Processing Committee all data relating to 11 registration statements and amendments to such statements, 12 expense reports, termination notices and termination reports, 13 and the committee shall make all such information available on a 14 publicly accessible World Wide Web page. 15 (l) Cost-of-living adjustment.--On a biennial basis 16 commencing in January 2008, the commission shall review the 17 threshold for reporting under section 5(e) and the threshold for 18 exemption under section 6 and may increase these amounts to 19 levels deemed reasonable for assuring appropriate disclosure. 20 The commission shall publish any such adjusted threshold amounts 21 in the Pennsylvania Bulletin by June 1, 2008, and every two 22 years thereafter as necessary. 23 Section 9. Penalties. 24 (a) Notice of noncompliance.--The commission shall issue a 25 notice of noncompliance to any lobbyist or principal that has 26 failed to register or report as required by this act. The notice 27 shall state the nature of the alleged noncompliance and the 28 civil and criminal penalties for failure to register, failure to 29 file or filing a report containing a false statement or which is 30 incomplete. The notice shall also advise that if the lobbyist or 20040S0001B1768 - 15 -
1 principal disagrees with the alleged noncompliance, the lobbyist 2 or principal may appeal such before the commission. The notice 3 shall set forth the deadline and manner in which to request a 4 hearing. 5 (b) Hearing.-- 6 (1) If a hearing is requested, the commission shall 7 determine at the hearing: 8 (i) whether the recipient of the notice is required 9 to register or report under this act; and 10 (ii) whether the failure to register or report was 11 negligent or intentional. 12 (2) If the commission finds that the failure to register 13 or report was intentional, it shall refer the matter to the 14 Attorney General and, if the lobbyist or principal is an 15 attorney, to the board. 16 (3) If the commission finds that failure to register or 17 report was negligent, it shall determine the amount of the 18 civil penalty to be imposed. 19 (4) Hearings under this subsection shall be conducted by 20 the commission in accordance with 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1107(14) 21 (relating to powers and duties of commission) and 1108(e) 22 (relating to investigations by commission). 23 (c) Negligent failure to register or report.--Negligent 24 failure to register or report as required by this act is 25 punishable by a civil penalty not exceeding $50 for each late 26 day. After a hearing under subsection (b), in the case of 27 negligent failure to register or report, the commission may, 28 upon the majority vote of its members, levy a civil penalty as 29 provided for in this subsection. The total amount of the civil 30 penalty levied shall not be limited by any other provision of 20040S0001B1768 - 16 -
1 law. The commission shall notify the board of any lobbyist or 2 principal who is an attorney against whom a civil penalty is 3 imposed. The commission shall have standing to apply to the 4 Commonwealth Court to seek enforcement of an order imposing a 5 civil penalty under this section. 6 (d) Failure to comply after notice.--A lobbyist or principal 7 who fails to comply with the requirements of this act, after 8 notice of noncompliance and after a hearing, if one is 9 requested, may be prohibited from lobbying for up to five years. 10 The prohibition shall be imposed as provided by subsection 11 (e)(4). 12 (e) Intentional violations.-- 13 (1) Any lobbyist or principal who intentionally fails to 14 register or report as required by this act commits a 15 misdemeanor of the second degree. 16 (2) A registrant who files a report under this act with 17 knowledge that the report contains a false statement or is 18 incomplete commits a misdemeanor of the second degree. 19 (3) Except as set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), any 20 lobbyist or principal who intentionally violates this act 21 commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. 22 (4) In addition to any criminal penalties imposed 23 pursuant to this act, the commission may prohibit a lobbyist 24 or principal from lobbying for up to five years for conduct 25 which constitutes an offense under this subsection. No 26 criminal prosecution or conviction shall be required for the 27 imposition of the prohibition authorized by this paragraph. 28 The commission shall not impose the prohibition under this 29 paragraph unless the lobbyist or principal has been afforded 30 the opportunity for a hearing which shall be conducted by the 20040S0001B1768 - 17 -
1 commission in accordance with 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1107(14) and 2 1108(e). 3 (f) Attorneys.--Nothing in this act shall be construed as 4 restricting the board's authority to discipline an attorney who 5 is acting as a lobbyist or principal. 6 Section 10. Registration fees; fund established; regulations. 7 (a) Registration fees.--At the time of registration, a 8 principal or lobbyist required to be registered under this act 9 shall pay a biennial registration fee of $100 to the department. 10 (b) Fund established.--All money received from registration 11 fees under subsection (a) shall be deposited in a restricted 12 receipts account to be known as the Lobbying Accountability 13 Fund, which is hereby established as a separate fund in the 14 State Treasury. All moneys deposited in the fund are hereby 15 appropriated to the department as a continuing appropriation for 16 the exclusive purpose of carrying out this act. 17 (c) Regulations.--A committee comprised of the Secretary of 18 the Senate, the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, the 19 Attorney General, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the 20 executive director of the commission, the chief counsel of the 21 board and the General Counsel, or their designees, shall have 22 authority to promulgate regulations necessary to carry out this 23 act. The executive director of the commission shall be chairman 24 of this committee. The initial proposed regulations shall be 25 submitted within 180 days of the effective date of this section 26 to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission under section 5 27 of the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the 28 Regulatory Review Act. Any meeting at which the committee plans 29 to approve proposed regulations or other official actions shall 30 be held in accordance with 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open 20040S0001B1768 - 18 -
1 meetings). The department shall provide sufficient staff and 2 other administrative support to assist the committee. The 3 committee shall also prepare and publish a manual setting forth 4 guidelines for accounting and reporting. The regulations and 5 manual shall be drafted to accommodate the use of computerized 6 recordkeeping, electronic filing of all required registrations 7 and reports provided for under this act and retention of 8 registration statements and reports provided for under this act 9 by electronic means. 10 Section 11. Nonapplicability. 11 Nothing in this act shall be construed to effect the 12 provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. § 7515. 13 Section 12. Repeal. 14 The provisions of 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 13 are repealed. 15 Section 13. Effective date. 16 This act shall take effect as follows: 17 (1) Sections 5(b)(3)(iii) and 10(c) shall take effect 18 immediately. 19 (2) Section 5(b)(3)(i) and (ii) shall take effect on the 20 effective date of the regulations promulgated under section 21 5(b)(3)(iii). 22 (3) This section shall take effect immediately. 23 (4) The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60 24 days. F2L46MSP/20040S0001B1768 - 19 -