Elevator Fines IV
SECTION 100.
Said section 65 of said chapter 143, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 35, the figure "$5,000" and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $1,000.
Veto Explanation:
I am vetoing this section, and related sections 98 and 101, because they are unnecessary and reduce the Commonwealth's departmental revenue, for which the Legislature has not accounted. These sections would reduce revenues by $5.6 million, or approximately 30% of inspection revenues, while commensurately reducing elevator owners' incentives to have their elevators inspected on a regular basis. In addition, the Department of Public Safety is in the process of promulgating regulations that will greatly improve the process for issuing waivers and the availability of such waivers, and thereby mitigate concerns about the amount of fines imposed. These measures address the primary issues with regard to elevator inspections. I am approving sections 97, 99, and 102 to 104 because they result in a very modest reduction in revenue for the Commonwealth, while acknowledging that the frequency of inspections currently in law may not be appropriate for all types of elevators in use.