Legislature(2007 - 2008)BELTZ 211
03/18/2008 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
SB297 | |
HB65 | |
SB263 | |
SB179 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ | SB 179 | TELECONFERENCED | |
*+ | SB 263 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 297 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 65 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 263-ARCHITECTS, ENGRS, SURVEYORS BD/EXEMPTION 2:35:18 PM CHAIR ELLIS announced SB 263 to be up for consideration. SENATOR JOE THOMAS, sponsor of SB 263, explained that this measure makes two modest changes to existing statute. First, it allows the governor to appoint a petroleum or chemical engineer to the board if a mining engineer is not available to serve. He explained that sometimes in the past the position has been left vacant. The board has 10 members - 2 civil engineers, 1 mining engineer, 1 electrical or mechanical engineer, 1 engineer from another branch of engineering as well as 2 architects, 2 land surveyors and 1 public member. Board members must have been registered voters in Alaska before the last general election. Only 22 of Alaska's 4,000 registered engineers are resident mining engineers, which can make it difficult to find qualified and interested candidates. He said the second section of SB 263 adds the underlying language to the list of exemptions from the licensing laws. The CS language is different than the original bill in that it exempts persons who design fire detection or suppression systems from the engineering licensing laws if they are authorized to design fire detection or suppression systems by the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS), which is basically what has been taking place. SENATOR THOMAS explained this provision solidifies in statute the current industry practice and has the support of both the board and the Fire Marshall's Office. CRAIG FREDEEN, Mechanical Engineer member of the Board of Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors, said he is also a member of the Professional Design Council; he supported CSSB 263(L&C), version C. He briefed them that the regulations for licensing of engineers basically say if you're doing design work, you have to be a licensed engineer. Another set of state permits is required for persons who do fire protection design. He said the board is very comfortable with the professionalism and the knowledge of these individuals with these permits, but the exemption to this design requirement in statute is kind of vague. There is concern that a future board may not know as much about these individuals and may feel they are in violation of the design regulation in statute; so they wanted it clarified that their permit is recognized. He supported the first portion of the bill for the reasons Senator Thomas stated. KELLY NICOLELLO, Assistant State Fire Marshal, Department of Public Safety (DPS), supported CSSB 263(L&C) for the reasons stated by Senator Thomas and Mr. Fredeen. He said all three of them had worked closely on the CS. He said, "It is a good way to meet their requirements and still maintain ours without stepping on anybody's toes or anything else." He added that they would be working together on requirements for design professionals in the future and this has developed a team format for them to work in. PAT THOMPSON, Simplex Grinnell, said he is one of the board's design professionals and he supported the CS. He said most of the people in his design community supported the CS as well. CHAIR ELLIS noted the CS was labeled CSSB 263( ) 25-LS1457\C, Bullard. SENATOR THOMAS said the CS removes lines 7-9 on page 4 which that allows for state certification rather than national certification. SENATOR BUNDE asked if the current board has a mining engineer and if he expressed opposition. SENATOR THOMAS replied yes and he has expressed no opposition. They have all been in favor of expanding the requirement to chemical or petroleum engineer. 2:45:28 PM SENATOR BUNDE asked if there has been any opposition to this bill. SENATOR THOMAS replied not that he knew of. 2:46:03 PM SENATOR DAVIS and SENATOR STEVENS moved to adopt CSSB 263(L&C), version C. There were no objections and it was so ordered. CHAIR ELLIS said he would hold CSSB 263(L&C) for a further hearing.
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