I am preparing to introduce legislation that will stop the outrageous growth of fees at the Department of Labor and Industry. Individuals and businesses in Pennsylvania are required to pay fees for inspections, certifications, and other Borough of Occupational and Industrial Safety services, and the revenue collected from these fees is used to fund the costs associated with providing these services. However, over the past eight years, these fees have increased by almost 29%, due to a cost-of-living adjustment enacted in 2017.

The COLA relates to the fee schedule provided for the Department of Labor and Industry for the BOIS under Act 40 of 2014. The purpose was to ensure that the BOIS was being funded adequately and to ensure there would be no shortfall in the future. However, there has consistently been a surplus in funding that is putting an undue burden on businesses and non-profits in our Commonwealth who require the use of these services.

The revenue collected from these fees is distributed to the BOIS in the amount of $10 million. Any revenue collected above the $10 million augmented for the BOIS is deposited into the general fund. Because of the consistent surplus monies collected, it only makes sense to cap these fees to protect businesses.

I hope you will join me as a cosponsor.