Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 50, December 14, 2024
Section 92a.103 - Procedure for civil penalty assessments(a) The Department, if it assesses a civil penalty for a State Act violation, will serve a copy of the proposed civil penalty assessment on the alleged violator. Service will be by registered or certified mail, or by personal service. If the mail is tendered at the address in the permit, or at an address where the person is located, and delivery is refused, or mail is not collected, the requirements of this section will be deemed to have been complied with upon the tender.(b) The person who has been served with a proposed assessment in accordance with subsection (a) has 30 days to request that the Department hold an informal hearing on the proposed assessment by serving the Department by registered or certified mail with the request. If no timely request for an informal hearing is submitted, the failure to submit a timely request will operate as a waiver of the opportunity for a hearing, and the proposed assessment will become a final assessment of the Department upon the expiration of the 30-day period unless the Department determines to hold a hearing on the proposed assessment under the procedures in subsection (c).(c) If a timely request for hearing on the proposed assessment is received by the Department, the Department will assign a representative to hold an informal hearing regarding the assessment. The informal hearing will not be governed by requirements for formal adjudicatory hearings. The Department will establish a hearing date and notify the person requesting the hearing in accordance with the service procedures in subsection (a) and post notice of the time and place of the hearing at the Department office where the hearing is to be held at least 5 days prior to the hearing. The person requesting the hearing has the right to attend and participate in the hearing and to be represented by counsel. The Department will consider the relevant information presented and either affirm, raise, lower or vacate the proposed assessment. The Department representative's decision will constitute the Department's final assessment.(d) The person subject to a final assessment by the Department may contest the penalty assessment by filing a timely appeal with the EHB. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 92a.101 (relating to applicability); and 25 Pa. Code § 92a.102 (relating to method of seeking civil penalty).