Pennsylvania Act 2019-78 — ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES (27 PA.C.S.) AND VEHICLE CODE (75 PA.C.S.) - ESTABLISHING THE KEYSTONE TREE RESTRICTED ACCOUNT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ACCOUNT

Act text

Session of 2019

No. 2019-78

HB 374

AN ACT

Amending Titles 27 (Environmental Resources) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for Keystone Tree Restricted Account; and, in registration of vehicles, providing for contributions to the Keystone Tree Restricted Account.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Title 27 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:

CHAPTER 66

KEYSTONE TREE RESTRICTED ACCOUNT

Sec.

6601. Definitions.

6602. Establishment.

6603. Sources of revenue.

6604. Authorized purposes.

6605. Contributions.

6606. Report.

§ 6601. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Department." The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources of the Commonwealth.

"Restricted account." The Keystone Tree Restricted Account established under section 6602 (relating to establishment).

§ 6602. Establishment.

The Keystone Tree Restricted Account is established as a restricted account within the General Fund. The money in the restricted account is appropriated on a continuing basis to the department for the purposes specified in section 6604 (relating to authorized purposes).

§ 6603. Sources of revenue.

The restricted account shall include the following:

(1) Proceeds paid by the Department of Transportation under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1322 (relating to contributions to Keystone Tree Restricted Account).

(2) Grants, gifts, donations and other payments from a person or governmental entity to the restricted account.

(3) Money appropriated to the restricted account.

§ 6604. Authorized purposes.

(a) Purposes and allocations.--Except as provided under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1322(e) (relating to contributions to Keystone Tree Restricted Account), the department may expend money from the restricted account for the purposes and in the allocations as follows:

(1) A tree vitalize program, 40%.

(2) A riparian forest buffer grant program, 60%.

(b) Prohibitions.--No amount of money allocated under subsection (a) may be used for administrative costs of the department.

§ 6605. Contributions.

The department may solicit and accept gifts, donations, legacies and other money for deposit into the restricted account from a person or a government entity on behalf of the Commonwealth.

§ 6606. Report.

By July 31, 2020, and each year thereafter, the department shall submit to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the House of Representatives a report detailing the restricted account revenues and expenditures in the prior fiscal year and describing the activities, programs and projects which received money from the restricted account.

Section 2. Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:

§ 1322. Contributions to Keystone Tree Restricted Account.

(a) General rule.--Within one year of the effective date of this section, the department shall provide for all of the following:

(1) Ability of a person renewing a driver's license or identification card electronically through the department's publicly accessible Internet website to make a contribution of $3 to the Keystone Tree Restricted Account established by 27 Pa.C.S. § 6602 (relating to establishment).

(2) Ability of a person renewing a vehicle registration electronically through the department's publicly accessible Internet website to make a contribution of $3 to the Keystone Tree Restricted Account.

(b) Implementation.--

(1) A contribution under subsection (a) shall be added, as appropriate, to the regular fee for:

(i) A renewal of a driver's license or identification card.

(ii) A renewal of a vehicle registration.

(2) One contribution under subsection (a) may be made for:

(i) Each renewal of a driver's license or identification card.

(ii) Each renewal of a vehicle registration.

(c) Use.--Contributions under subsection (a) shall be used exclusively for purposes specified in 27 Pa.C.S. § 6604 (relating to authorized purposes).

(d) Deposits.--The department shall determine on a monthly basis the total amount collected under this section and direct the State Treasurer to transfer the amount from the Motor License Fund to the Keystone Tree Restricted Account by the 15th of the following month.

(e) Reimbursement.--The Keystone Tree Restricted Account shall reimburse the Motor License Fund for the actual costs incurred by the department in the administration of this section.

Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 7th day of November, A.D. 2019.

TOM WOLF