PRINTER'S NO. 1990
No. 152 Session of 1985
INTRODUCED BY GEORGE, MANDERINO, FEE, JAROLIN, MICHLOVIC,
HARPER, STEWART, TRELLO, FREEMAN, MURPHY, SHOWERS, OLIVER,
ACOSTA, LINTON, RICHARDSON, PRESSMANN, LUCYK, SEVENTY, COY,
McCALL, LAUGHLIN, RUDY, JOSEPHS, MORRIS, SWEET, BALDWIN,
KUKOVICH, BELARDI, CAWLEY, STEIGHNER, COLE, DUFFY, DeLUCA,
LEVDANSKY, PISTELLA, MARKOSEK, COHEN, COWELL, PETRONE,
LETTERMAN, O'DONNELL, LIVENGOOD, SALOOM, PRATT, DOMBROWSKI,
VEON, PIEVSKY, STABACK, TIGUE, KOSINSKI, LLOYD, ITKIN,
COLAFELLA, GAMBLE, BLAUM, WAMBACH, PETRARCA, HUTCHINSON,
WOZNIAK, DALEY, McHALE AND BROUJOS, JUNE 28, 1985
ADOPTED, JUNE 28, 1985
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the House Conservation Committee to investigate the
2 continuing management problems in the Department of
3 Environmental Resources; and supplementing House Resolutions
4 14 and 24.
5 WHEREAS, The Department of Environmental Resources continues
6 to have problems in the management of the department; and
7 WHEREAS, This management problem was recently highlighted by
8 a report of the Citizens Advisory Council which found
9 substantial deficiencies in the management of the department,
10 including growing political pressures, low morale of employees
11 and an emphasis on cost-cutting rather than public service; and
12 WHEREAS, The department recognized this problem by initiating
13 an outside management study to be conducted; and
14 WHEREAS, These problems have resulted in a confused policy in
15 the issue of permits and ineffective enforcement of the
1 environmental laws and regulations; and
2 WHEREAS, The House Conservation Committee has been empowered
3 to conduct an in-depth study of low-level radioactive waste
4 under the provisions of House Resolution No. 24; and
5 WHEREAS, The House Conservation Committee, under instructions
6 from the Speaker of the House of Representatives and as
7 authorized by passage of House Resolution No.14, has been
8 empowered to investigate problems with drinking water in this
9 Commonwealth; therefore be it
10 RESOLVED, That the House Conservation Committee is hereby
11 directed to investigate the continuing management problems in
12 the Department of Environmental Resources and resulting confused
13 policy in issuing permits and ineffective enforcement of
14 environmental laws and regulations; and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That the House Conservation Committee is hereby
16 directed to continue its investigations as set forth in House
17 Resolutions 14 and 24; and be it further
18 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
19 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
20 necessary in this Commonwealth. Each member of the committee
21 shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations to
22 witnesses appearing before the committee; and be it further
23 RESOLVED, That whenever the committee determines that
24 requested information is not being made available in timely
25 fashion or whenever the committee determines that certain
26 witnesses may not appear as requested unless commanded by law,
27 the committee shall be empowered to issue subpoenas under the
28 hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person to appear
29 before it and answer questions touching matters properly being
30 inquired into by the committee and produce such books, papers,
19850H0152R1990 - 2 -
1 records, accounts, reports and documents as the committee deems
2 necessary; and be it further
3 RESOLVED, That the committee make a report of its findings
4 and recommendations to the House of Representatives as soon as
5 possible.
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