Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/01/2005 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB35 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | HB 35 | ||
HOUSE BILL NO. 35
"An Act extending the termination date of the State
Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and
Land Surveyors; and providing for an effective date."
[House Bill 35 was previously heard on February 28, 2005.]
Representative Vic Kohring asked the committee to consider
Amendment 1 after hearing testimony from people in the
industry. He explained that the amendment allows the
eleventh member of the State Board of Registration for
Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors to vote.
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1, labeled
24-LS0273\A.1, Bannister, 2/28/05, as follows:
Page 1, line 2, following "Surveyors;":
Insert "relating to the membership of the State Board
of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors;"
Page 1, following line 6:
Insert new bill sections to read:
"* Sec. 2. AS 08.48.011(b) is amended to read:
(b) The board consists of 11 [10] members
appointed by the governor having the qualifications as
set out in AS 08.48.031. The board consists of
(1) two civil engineers;
(2) [,] two land surveyors;
(3) [,] one mining engineer;
(4) [,] one electrical or mechanical
engineer;
(5) [,] one engineer from another branch of
the profession of engineering;
(6) [,] two architects;
(7) one landscape architect; [,] and
(8) one public member.
* Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is
amended by adding a new section to read:
APPOINTMENT OF NEW BOARD MEMBER. (a) On or before
September 1, 2005, the governor shall appoint a new
member to the State Board of Registration for
Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors to satisfy
the requirement of AS 08.48.011(b), as amended by sec.
2 of this Act. The member shall be an individual who
is registered under AS 08.48 to engage in the practice
of landscape architecture and who is otherwise
qualified under AS 08.48.031 to be a member of the
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers,
and Land Surveyors.
(b) The term of the member appointed under (a) of this
section is four years from the date of appointment."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
Representative Holm OBJECTED.
SAM KITO, III, CHAIR, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, ALASKA
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN COUNCIL, spoke in favor of Amendment 1.
He indicated that he was speaking on behalf of the State
Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors. He stated support for converting the temporary
landscape architect position to that of a permanent
position, a recommendation of a legislative audit. He
explained that allowing the eleventh member to vote would
create an odd number and avoid ties.
1:43:31 PM
Representative Holm pointed out the difficulty of certifying
landscape architects in Alaska. He explained the various
growing zones in the state and lack of resources for
training. He said he is objecting to the idea of licensing
someone who would not be knowledgeable because they don't
have an opportunity to get adequate training. He recalled
when there were no landscape architects in Alaska.
Mr. Kito acknowledged that Representative Holm has raised
valid points. He explained the licensing procedure for a
landscape architecture. Representative Holm maintained that
there is no licensing procedure and he termed the licensing
procedure inappropriate. He related that the Association of
American Nurserymen has no standards regarding Alaska, and
Alaska is not at a point to have experts in this area. He
questioned the validity of requiring a landscape architect
to act as an expert and superimpose landscape information
over projects throughout the state.
Mr. Kito, speaking as a civil engineer, related that there
are manuals, books, and guidelines with applicable
information. Selection of specific materials is left up to
"knowledge at the local area". He opined that design
professionals would make a point of knowing conditions and
specifics in various areas.
Co-Chair Meyer inquired if the audit report recommended the
addition of a landscape architect position.
PAT DAVIDSON, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, AUDIT DIVISION, responded
that is correct. She explained that a variety of
occupations are licensed under the board and therefore a
variety of occupations are needed on the board. As a
growing and developing occupation, a landscape architect
should be on board to deal with related and emerging issues.
1:52:41 PM
Representative Hawker inquired why Alaska recognizes the
occupation of landscape architect. Mr. Kito said it is his
understanding that there are some benefits to having such a
person on board when an Alaskan firm bids on federal
projects such as playgrounds. Most landscape architects
spend a lot of time working on school playground projects
and other projects that receive the benefit of having their
expertise.
Representative Hawker asked how many landscape architects
there are in Alaska. Mr. Kito replied there are 33 licensed
landscape architects. Representative Hawker indicated that
that is a relatively small number. He wondered if it is
premature to give that occupation a seat on the board. Mr.
Kito noted that there are 1,000 licensed civil engineers in
the state and 33 licensed mining engineers. All of the
related architecture occupations have a member on the board.
He explained that if there were not a voting landscape
architect on the board, there would be no one to have a
voice regarding that occupation's regulations and statutes.
Representative Hawker asked if the concerns raised by
Representative Holm would be an issue or an unintended
consequence to the nurserymen in the state if the amendment
passes. Mr. Kito replied that he does not believe so. He
concluded that it would be an opportunity for the landscape
architect position to work with the other disciplines to
formulate guidelines for the practice and responsibilities
of landscape architecture.
1:57:26 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze asked if the sunset date was guided by
past legislation. Ms. Davidson replied the Legislative
Audit Division looked at current operations to make that
determination. Vice-Chair Stoltze voiced concern about
adding another regulatory entity and the possibility of
detrimental future regulations such as a closed shop.
Representative Holm reiterated past concerns with landscape
architects and cautioned the board that he would be closely
watching its actions. Representative Holm WITHDREW his
OBJECTION to adopt Amendment 1.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CS HB (FIN) out of
Committee with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CS HB 35 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "no
recommendation" and with a previously published fiscal
impact note: # 1 CED.
2:03:06 PM
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