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.