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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 20, 2013 03:35 PM |
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| From: | Representative Ted Harhai |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Co-sponsorship: Public Utility Commission Inspector Legislation |
| In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to amend current Pennsylvania law on the enforcement powers of Public Utility Commission (PUC) inspectors. The bill would designate PUC inspectors as “police officers,” allow inspectors to carry a firearm while on duty, place both red and blue lights on inspector vehicles, and increase the sentencing for operating an unlicensed taxicab, also known as “jitney cabs.” Presently, under Section 307 (a) of Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, PUC inspectors are authorized to make arrests for PUC code violations, however they are not given any of the other powers designated to police officers of the Commonwealth. It is becoming increasingly evident that such powers are necessary for the effective performance of their duties. Recently, I was made aware of the severity of the threat posed to our PUC inspectors by a constituent who, pursuant to his duty as an inspector, was repeatedly threatened by armed unlicensed taxi cab operators who are also often involved in trafficking drugs. Furthermore, there have been a number of news accounts of sexual assault and rape of women who have ridden in jitney cabs, thinking that the vehicle is a safe, licensed taxi cab. As the job of PUC inspectors becomes more dangerous, and unlicensed cabs increasingly pose a threat to the security of our citizens, I believe we must strengthen the enforcement powers of the PUC inspectors who are on the front lines of this battle. Otherwise, unlicensed taxicabs will continue to threaten the safety of our citizens and PUC inspectors will be ill-equipped to execute their duties as inspectors of this Commonwealth. I welcome your co-sponsorship of this legislation. |
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