§501. Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this part which are applicable to specific provisions of this part, the following words and phrases when used in this part shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

"Adjudication." Any order, decree, decision, determination or ruling by an agency affecting personal or property rights, privileges, immunities, duties, liabilities or obligations of any or all of the parties to the proceeding in which the adjudication is made.

"Administrative regulation." Any regulation except a proclamation, executive order, executive directive or other similar document promulgated by the Governor, and the term includes a regulation which may be promulgated by an agency only with the approval of the Governor.

"Agency." A Commonwealth agency.

"Agency text." The text of a document as issued, prescribed or promulgated by the issuing, prescribing or promulgating agency.

"Authenticate." To attest to the genuine nature. The term includes providing a method for a user to determine that an electronic record is unaltered.

"Bulletin." The Pennsylvania Bulletin published under this part.

"Bureau." The Legislative Reference Bureau. The powers conferred by this part upon the bureau shall be exercised by the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, or, in his absence, by the Assistant Director thereof.

"Code." The Pennsylvania Code published under this part.

"Department." The Department of General Services.

"Document." Any proclamation, executive order, executive directive or similar instrument promulgated by the Governor, and any other order, regulation, rule, statement of policy, adjudication, certificate, license, permit, notice or similar instrument issued, prescribed or promulgated by or under the authority of this Commonwealth. The term shall also include any home rule charter heretofore or hereafter adopted by the electors of any part of this Commonwealth or any optional plan of government.

"Electronic." Relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic or similar capabilities.

"Joint committee." The Joint Committee on Documents existing under this part.

"Official text." The text of a document issued, prescribed or promulgated by an agency as published by authority of this part which has become in the manner provided by this part the only valid and enforceable text of such document.

"Publish." To present to the public in any medium.

"Record." Information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

"Regulation." Any rule or regulation, or order in the nature of a rule or regulation, promulgated by an agency under statutory authority in the administration of any statute administered by or relating to the agency, or prescribing the practice or procedure before such agency. The term includes a proclamation, executive order, executive directive or other similar document promulgated by the Governor.

"Statement of policy." Any document, except an adjudication or a regulation, promulgated by an agency which sets forth substantive or procedural personal or property rights, privileges, immunities, duties, liabilities or obligations of the public or any part thereof, and includes, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any document interpreting or implementing any statute enforced or administered by such agency.

(Sept. 24, 2014, P.L.2461, No.133, eff. 60 days)

Notation

2014 Amendment.  Act 133 added the defs. of "authenticate," "electronic," "publish" and "record."

Cross References.  Section 501 is referred to in section 103 of Title 62 (Procurement).