Legislature(2011 - 2012)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/27/2012 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmations: | |
| SB211 | |
| SB143 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 211 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 143 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 143-BD OF ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, SURVEYORS
1:48:27 PM
CHAIR EGAN announced consideration of SB 143.
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to bring SB 143 before the committee.
CHAIR EGAN objected for discussion purposes.
SENATOR GIESSEL said SB 143 was filed by request, and
essentially it would designate an investigator for the Board of
Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors (AELS) the same as that
used for the State Medical Board. She explained that the
designated investigator would help facilitate accurate and
timely investigations and those timely investigations would
facilitate two goals. The first is the top priority for
regulation of professions, and that is public protection through
appropriate licensure. The second is the responsible use of the
board funds which come from licensing fees.
1:49:35 PM
SHARON LONG, staff to Senator Giessel, explained that section 1
amends AS 08.48.055 to designate an investigator specifically
for the board, and section 2 outlines his duties,
responsibilities and direct accountability. She added that
although there is a fiscal note, that cost is covered by license
fees. She explained that the AELS Board currently covers six
branches of engineers and architects and that was expanded on
March 11 to add 10 new categories for a total of 16 branches.
The number of licensees the board currently monitors could
increase dramatically from 5,600 licensees to maybe 800 to 1000
more over the next few years.
SENATOR MENARD commended Senator Giessel for this bill; she
didn't see they could not pass it. She has heard a number of
stories about how investigators for other boards can't
physically investigate in a timely manner.
1:51:53 PM
BOYD BROWNFIELD, representing himself, Anchorage, said he has
been a registered civil engineer in Alaska since August 1975. He
most recently served on the AELS Board from March 2004 until
March 2012 and supported having a full time investigator.
MR. BROWNFIELD said of 20 professional boards the AELS is the
third largest with nursing being the first and barbers and
hairdressers being the second. But AELS is the first in the
category of complexity having four separate professions
(engineers, architects, land surveyors and landscape
architects). Additionally, within the engineering profession
alone there are six different branches (civil, chemical,
mechanical, electrical, mining and petroleum), each having its
own separate technical challenges. These six branches will
shortly increase to 15, placing a significant additional demand
on the investigator if he/she is going to do a good job.
MR. BROWNFIELD explained that in reality the current
investigator, John Savage, serves AELS only part time; he is
assigned to five additional boards in addition to their board's
demanding work load. He serves as investigator for construction
contractors, mechanical administrators, electrical
administrators, underground storage tanks and home inspections.
So, stated more correctly, AELS has about 17 percent of one
investigator's attention. He said they are fortunate in having
Mr. Savage as an investigator but his workload is "staggering."
1:55:35 PM
He said the concept of having a full time investigator is not
ground breaking. The Medical Board, the fourth largest
professional board, already has two full-time investigators and
the Real Estate Board, the sixth largest board, has a full time
investigator. The Guide and Outfitters Board, the seventh
largest, has one and a quarter investigators.
He thanked Senator Giessel for sponsoring this bill.
SENATOR MENARD said she felt privileged to be in the room when
Lt. Governor Treadwell signed the order certifying the changes
to the regulations for the AELS Board.
1:58:33 PM
COLIN MAYNARD, member, Alaska Professional Design Council
(APDC), Anchorage, said it is an organization that combines the
voice of nine professional design societies whose members
consist of architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape
architects, and interior designers, for a combined membership of
almost 2,000 design professionals and represents the interests
of over 6,300 professionals and professional corporations
licensed to practice in Alaska.
He said APDC's major request to the AELS Board, the Division of
Occupation Licensing and the Legislature over the years has been
for enforcement of the state's licensure laws that provide for
public safety and welfare. But they have no effect if they are
not enforced. Charges of non-licensing or substandard practice
need to be investigated in a timely manner, he said, and if
found credible be brought before the AELS Board or a court. A
dedicated investigator is needed for timely action.
MR. MAYNARD said a question was raised in a previous hearing on
whether industry was willing to pay for the dedicated
investigator and the answer is an emphatic "yes." This bill
would not incur one cent of oil or other general fund money. It
would be paid for by the licensees. The fiscal note indicates a
cost to each licensee of less than $35 every two years and they
are more than willing to pay that to ensure that the laws are
enforced.
2:00:32 PM
ERIC ERICKSON, representing himself, Juneau, supported SB 143.
He said he grew up in Alaska and is a registered professional
engineer and has served on the AELS board since 2009. It has
given him the opportunity to gain knowledge of the AELS
regulations and its mission to protect the health, safety and
welfare of the public. Also during this time he has had the
opportunity to receive feedback on the growing concern for
insufficient investigative resources in the policing of the
regulations. He said he supported the committee's position paper
on SB 143 and its conclusions and recommendations, which will
better serve to protect the health, safety and welfare of the
public.
CHAIR EGAN removed his objection and closed public testimony. He
said SB 143 would be held until the next meeting.