HL&C - 03/15/95 HB 46 - ARCHITECT, ENGINEER & SURVEYOR REGULATION The next order of business was HB 46 which the committee had heard the previous week. CHAIRMAN KOTT said there were concerns with the language being too liberal. He asked the prime sponsor of HB 46 to come forward. REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN, PRIME SPONSOR OF HB 46, stated that the dialogue was now being centered around the exemption portion, Section 3, of the bill. Under Article 10, the Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors (AE&LS) had objection to the way it was written. They felt it was too broad and wouldn't adequately protect the public. He stated that currently members of the AE&LS and other factions would be governed by this legislation, and they were meeting to work out some compromised language and would have a resolution by March 20. He stated if a resolution was not worked out, there was backup language that would make Alaska like the 36 other states that have the same exemptions. Number 536 MIKE TAURIANINEN testified via teleconference that he was opposed to HB 46 as written, regarding Section 2, use of the term "engineer." He stated this was contrary to terminology in Section 3 referring to the practice of engineering. He stated that it was open for anyone to practice engineering. Mr. Taurianinen reiterated that compromise language needs to be worked out so that some engineering work done by oil companies, communications and utilities companies can be accomplished. Number 550 CHAIRMAN KOTT stated that they had the CS before them. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN commented that Mr. Taurianinen might not understand Section 2. He explained that the AE&LS had requested this language because they felt this tightens the language rather than loosens it. He explained that when leaving the word "registered" in, then a person could say, "I'm a professional engineer, hire me." He's not professing to be a registered engineer, he's just professing to being a professional engineer. By dropping the word "registered," he is illegal. REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG inquired if the AE&LS were meeting to compromise on a solution for this bill. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN responded that it was not a solution for the bill, but a solution for the differences of opinion of subsection 10 of Section 3. To find language that would satisfy the concerns of the AE&LS for public safety and still not burden companies that employ large numbers of engineers that are not subject to public domain was the problem. REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked if the board was working on the change or people from the various professions. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN stated that a representative from the AE&LS, Mr. Dave Adams, is working with a representative for the other entities. Number 619 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON wondered if he should be comfortable with an existing exemption that allows a four-plex to be inhabited by families that hasn't had a professional engineer or architect involved in it. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN concurred with Representative Elton. He stated that his home is one of those and the only thing he's relying on are building codes. Number 640 TAPE 95-17, SIDE B Number 000 SHARON MACKLIN, ALASKA PROFESSIONAL DESIGN COUNCIL (APDC), clarified that the meeting on March 20, would be attended by a representative from ARCO, the cable TV organization, two representatives from APDC, and one from the telecommunications industry. Number 021 REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked if that would include an architect and a land surveyor. MS. MACKLIN replied architects, engineers and land surveyors trust each other and they feel comfortable with the representation. Number 037 REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA asked what the Chairman's intention was. CHAIRMAN KOTT answered that if it was the will of the committee, they would move the bill to the House State Affairs Committee, with a letter of transmittal indicating that they would expect some movement in Section 3, subsection 10, that would take care of the language problem. REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA made the motion. CHAIRMAN KOTT stated that there was one more person on teleconference. JIM ROWE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION (ATA), testified via teleconference in favor of CSHB 46. Number 083 REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA made a motion to move CSHB 46(L&C) out of committee with individual recommendations, and accompanying zero fiscal note. CHAIRMAN KOTT asked for any objections. Hearing none, CSHB 46(L&C) was passed out of committee.