PRINTER'S NO. 810
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
837
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY HOWARD, MADDEN, SANCHEZ, PIELLI, KHAN, BRENNAN AND
HILL-EVANS, APRIL 4, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
APRIL 4, 2023
AN ACT
Amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in development, further providing for penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3255 of Title 58 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
ยง 3255. Penalties.
(a) General violation.--A person violating a provision of
this chapter commits a summary offense and, upon conviction,
shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than [$1,000]
$2,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both.
Each day during which the violation continues is a separate and
distinct offense.
(b) Willful violation.--A person willfully violating a
provision of this chapter or an order of the department issued
under this chapter commits a misdemeanor and, upon conviction,
shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than [$5,000]
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$10,000 or to imprisonment of not more than one year, or both.
Each day during which the violation continues is a separate and
distinct offense.
(c) Authority.--
(1) The department may institute a prosecution against
any person or municipality for a violation of this chapter.
(2) The Office of Attorney General under the act of
October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth
Attorneys Act, or the district attorney of the affected
county may institute a criminal proceeding against a person
under subsection (a) or (b).
(d) Prohibition.--The department may not waive a fine for a
general violation under subsection (a) or a willful violation
under subsection (b).
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20230HB0837PN0810 - 2 -
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