Title
Enacting a new Chapter 21-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Office of Consumer Affairs" establishing an Office of Consumer Affairs, setting forth the composition of its board, providing the office with the broad power to investigate and study consumer issues, and establishing its advisory functions, all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to add a new Chapter 21-1300 to read as follows:
§21-1301. Legislative Findings.
The Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby finds that:
(1) Philadelphia's auto insurance consumers are paying the highest rates in the country; and
(2) According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, the average auto insurance premium in Philadelphia is $2409.00; and
(3) Rates in Philadelphia are twice as high as those in suburban counties, where the average premium is $1228.00; and
(4) Auto insurance rates are a major factor that motivates residents to move out of the city; and
(5) Rising utility rates and unfair lending practices adversely affect Philadelphia consumers; and
(6) These consumers need an agency to educate and protect them, giving them the same rights consumers in other areas have.
§21-1302. Establishment of Office.
An Office of Consumer Affairs ("the Office") is hereby established in the Managing Director's Office which shall pay from appropriations made to the Office to it, all the expenses of such Office. The Office shall have an advisory board (the "Board") that shall consist of thirteen (13) members who shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval of City Council by Resolution heard in the Committee of the Whole. Seven (7) of the original members shall be appointed to four (4) year terms, and six (6) shall be appointed to two (2) year terms, and all shall serve until the appointment of their successors. Persons appointed to fill vac...
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