| Summary of Legislation - May 2010 |
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American
Society of Landscape Architects
Summary of LegislationMay 2010 New Law Takes Effect for Engineers
After many years of anticipation, continuing education (CE) requirements are now in effect for Pennsylvania professional engineers, land surveyors and geologists. The new law is Act 25 of 2010 (formerly House Bill 975) and it establishes the current licensing cycle (October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2011) as the first cycle that Professional Development Hours (PDHs) will need to be obtained in order for an applicant to renew their license for the next cycle (October 2011 through September 2013). The Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologist will shortly be sending a letter to all those licensees to explain the provisions of the new law.
In short, the law requires licensees to obtain 24 PDHs during each 2 year licensing cycle. If a licensee cannot meet the requirement during this first cycle, the Board will extend the deadline for 6 months. There is no requirement that courses be preapproved or that course providers be preapproved. The licensee is responsible for making the determination that the education relates to his/her professional practice. PDHs can also be earned through activities other than taking courses such as published works, patents and teaching. Act 25 also includes provisions to create a two part licensing process for geologists and greater title protection for the terms “engineer” and “engineering” when used in corporate names.
Legislative Activity
HB 687 RE: Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts (by Rep. Frank Dermody, et al) (PN 760) Amends Title 62 (Procurement), in guaranteed energy savings contracts, amending the definition of "energy conservation measure" to include technology upgrades designed to reduce water and wastewater consumption or operating costs, and inserting water and wastewater-related provisions into language relating to contract procedures and provisions. Rereferred to Senate Appropriations Committee, 5/26/2010
HB 975 RE: Engineers Board CE Requirements (By Rep. Bill Adolph, et al) (PN 2060) Amends the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law deleting language providing for mandatory continuing education and adding new language for continuing professional competency requirements for the practice of professional engineering, professional land surveying and professional geology, and for licensure of professional geologists. Each licensee shall be required to obtain twenty-four PDH units during the biennial renewal period.
Read third time and passed Senate, 5/4/2010 (50-0)
HB 1196 RE: Code Administrator Appeals (By Rep. Scott Boyd, et al) (PN 3518) Amends PA Construction Code Act further providing that a board of appeals shall consider variance requests, requests for extensions of time and appeals of decisions of code administrators. The bill outlines requirements for code administrator appeals. Laid on the table 5/26/2010
HB 2108 RE: Whistleblower Law (by Rep. Brian Ellis, et al) Amends the Whistleblower Law further providing for the definitions of "employee" and "employer," for enforcement and for penalties. "Employer" is redefined as a public body or any of the following which receives money from a public body to perform work or provide services: (1) an individual; (2) a partnership; (3) an association; (4) a corporation for profit; or (5) a corporation not for profit. Regarding enforcement, the bill states a court shall also award a prevailing complainant all or a portion of the costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney fees and witness fees. Penalties are increased to $10,000 and suspension from public service for up to seven years. The bill protects employees who report wrongdoing or waste by a public body or waste by any employer. Passed House, 4/26/2010 (187-0) Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Rules and Executive Nominations 5/19/2010
HB 2435 RE: Tax Reform Code (By Rep. Dwight Evans, et al) (PN 3573) Amends Tax Reform Code repealing certain provisions relating to discounts; providing for the imposition of tax reports and the payment of tax; providing a 30 percent tax on the purchase price charged to the retailer for the purchase of any tobacco product; establishing the Natural Gas Severance Tax Act and imposing a 5 percent tax on the gross value of units severed at the wellhead during a reporting period, plus 4.7 cents per unit severed. Reported as committed from House Appropriations Committee, read first time, and Laid on the table, 5/4/2010 Removed from the table, 5/25/2010
New Bills Introduced The following bills have been introduced since the last report.
SB 1375 RE: Pennsylvania MESA Initiative Act (by Sen. LeAnna Washington, et al) Establishes the MESA (mathematics, engineering and science achievement) initiative within the Department of Education; creates the State MESA Commission to oversee the advancement of mathematics, engineering, science and technology education; provides powers and duties of the Commission; and provides reporting requirements. Introduced and referred to Senate Education Committee, 5/20/2010
Upcoming Meetings of Interest
Senate Republican Policy
Committee
2010 SENATE SESSION SCHEDULE June 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
2010 HOUSE SESSION SCHEDULE June: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Copies of all bills of interest can be accessed via the Internet at: |
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