Governor Deval Patrick's Budget Recommendation - House 1 Fiscal Year 2008

Governor's Budget Recommendation FY2008

Executive Office of Public Safety and Security


E911 Surcharge Extension (1 of 2)

SECTION 4.   Section 18H1/2 of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4, the words "December 31, 2007" and inserting in place thereof the following words:- June 30, 2008.

 

Suggestions Awards Board

SECTION 5.   Section 31A of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 19, the words "subject to appropriation, expend sums" and inserting in place thereof the following words:- retain a portion of new revenues received or savings generated in other items of appropriation and may expend these retained amounts without further appropriation.

 

Establish Unified Carrier Registration Trust Fund

SECTION 6.   Chapter 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 35CC the following section:-

          Section 35DD. There is hereby established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Unified Carrier Registration Trust Fund for commercial motor vehicle enforcement. There shall be credited to that fund all revenues received by the commonwealth from fees levied on motor carriers and related entities required by state or federal law to register with state transportation officials; from appropriations; from gifts, grants, contributions and bequests of funds from any department, agency or subdivision of federal, state or municipal government, and any individual foundation, corporation, association or public authority; or the revenue derived from the investment of amounts credited to the fund. The state treasurer shall not deposit the revenues in, or transfer the revenues to, the General Fund. The state treasurer shall deposit monies in the fund in accordance with section 34 and 34A of chapter 29 in the manner that will secure the highest interest rate available consistent with the safety of the fund. All funds credited under this section shall remain in the Unified Carrier Registration Trust Fund to be expended without further appropriation by the director of the transportation division of the department of public utilities for projects including but not limited to bus inspections, bus company safety audits, federal new entrant audits, railroad grade crossing safety investigations, and administrative support for any such programs, including the operation of the division. Funds in excess of those that may be retained by the commonwealth as determined by formula set by the uniform carrier registration board of the federal motor carrier safety administration may be transferred to a depository account established by that board.

 

Reduce Boxing Commission Costs

SECTION 9.   Section 12 of chapter 22 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the third sentence.

Section 12 of said chapter 22, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 17 and 18, the words, "actual services as shall be fixed by rule or regulation of the commission, together with".

 

Emergency Spending Authority

SECTION 12.   Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-

          Section 72. (a) In addition to other emergency powers allowed by law, the governor may declare a state of emergency whenever a catastrophic event, natural disaster, pandemic outbreak, terrorist threat or other occurrence or imminent danger threatens the health, safety or welfare of the people, or the fiscal or economic stability of the commonwealth. In such an emergency, the governor may direct any agency, authority, or political subdivision of the commonwealth to take appropriate action to eliminate the immediate threat or danger and to aid its citizens, including but not limited to temporary re-deployment of personnel, contractors or other resources. Upon notice in writing of the declaration of emergency to the comptroller and the clerks of the senate and the house of representative, there shall be appropriated an amount requested by the governor not to exceed $25,000,000 from the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund, and the comptroller shall transfer that amount into a separate emergency account for the costs incurred under this section.
          (b) Agencies, authorities and political subdivisions directed by the governor to act under this section need not comply with procurement and personnel restrictions for obligations incurred in performance of directives under this section for the period of the emergency, but shall consult with the operational services division to use, to the greatest extent possible, existing state contractors and certified small, minority or women-owned businesses, to provide necessary goods or services under this section to obtain the most cost effective prices and quality services available. The comptroller may take whatever actions are necessary to enable obligations and payments under this section, shall advise agencies about the most efficient payment processes, including electronic payment options, and shall direct agencies in the proper accounting for all encumbrances and payments under this section in the state accounting system. Expenditures may be charged to other items of appropriation and to other subsidiaries as directed by the secretary of administration and finance in consultation with the comptroller. Every 60 days after an emergency is declared under this section, and until the governor declares that the emergency has terminated, the governor shall report in writing the specific amounts and purposes of expenditures under this section to the house and senate committees on ways and means.
          (c) Any funds remaining in the emergency account at the conclusion of the fiscal year in which the emergency arises shall not revert at the end of the fiscal year, unless the emergency has terminated, but shall remain available for expenditure without further appropriation until the emergency ceases and all payments for all costs incurred under this section, at which time any remaining funds shall be transferred to the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund.

 

Electronic FID Card Renewal Notices

SECTION 31.   Clause (9) of section 129B of chapter 140 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the third sentence and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sentences:- The executive director of the criminal history systems board shall send by a means of electronic communication to the holder of a firearm identification card a notice of the expiration of the card not less than 90 days before its expiration, and shall enclose with the notice information on how to renew the card. These notices shall only be sent to holders of a firearm identification card who have provided the executive director with an email address or means by which to receive notices electronically.

 

Electronic Firearms License Renewal Notices

SECTION 32.   Paragraph (l) of section 131 of said chapter 140, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sentences:- The executive director of the criminal history systems board shall send by a means of electronic communication to the holder of a license to carry a notice of the expiration of the card not less than 90 days before its expiration, and shall enclose with the notice information on how to renew the card. These notices shall only be sent to holders of a license to carry who have provided the executive director with an email address or means by which to receive notices electronically.

 

Uniform Carrier Registration Fee

SECTION 33.   Chapter 159B of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 10, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 10. Each interstate carrier by motor vehicle transporting over the ways within the commonwealth for compensation shall register and identify with the department under the federal Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005. Each registration shall be accompanied by a fee, the amount of which shall be determined by the board of directors of the federal Unified Carrier Registration Plan.

 

E911 Surcharge Extension (2 of 2)

SECTION 35.   The first sentence of section 9 of chapter 61 of the acts of 2002 is hereby amended by striking out the figure "2007" and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 2008.