MINUTES OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND LABOR Sixty-eighth Session April 7, 1995 The Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor was called to order by Chairman Randolph J. Townsend, at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, April 7, 1995, in Room 227 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman Senator Ann O'Connell, Vice Chairman Senator Sue Lowden Senator Kathy M. Augustine Senator Raymond C. Shaffer Senator John B. (Jack) Regan Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Beverly Willis, Committee Secretary Scott Young, Senior Research Analyst OTHERS PRESENT: Jerry Higgins, Director, State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Bruce Robb, Attorney, State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Jack Holmes, Washoe County Surveyor, Washoe County and The Nevada Association of Land Surveyors Michael Turnipseed, State Engineer, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources Max Montgomery, State President, National Society of Professional Engineers/Cherokee Engineering, Inc. William R. Petty, Vice Chairman, Nevada board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors Senator Townsend opened the meeting with a hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 26. ASSEMBLY BILL 26: Requires state board of professional engineers and land surveyors to adopt regulations relating to continuing education for professional engineers and professional land surveyors. First to testify, Jerry Higgins, Director, State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, stated A.B. 26 is supported by his organization. Mr. Higgins noted this type of action is part of a process occurring across the United States. Mr. Higgins stated his organization will be able to tailor any Nevada regulations similar to a national standard, in order to facilitate national reciprocity. Senator Townsend queried Bruce Robb, Attorney, State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, (the Board), asking if the Board has powers to adopt regulations without legislative authority. Mr. Robb replied in the affirmative. At this time, Jack Holmes, Washoe County Surveyor, Washoe County and The Nevada Association of Land Surveyors, came forward, noting his support for A.B. 26. Michael Turnipseed, State Engineer, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources, noted he, too, is in favor of A.B. 26. Next to testify in favor of A.B. 26 was Max Montgomery, State President, National Society of Professional Engineers/Cherokee Engineering, Inc. Mr. Montgomery stated he feels this type of legislation is important to keep members of his organization current on what is new and to help retain professionalism. Senator Augustine and Mr. Higgins discussed various aspects of A.B. 26. At this time Senator Townsend closed the hearing on A.B. 26 and opened the hearing on A.B. 63. ASSEMBLY BILL 63: Revises provisions relating to qualifications of certain applicants for registration as professional engineers and professional land surveyors. The first to testify was Mr. Higgins, who stated A.B. 63 is the Board's effort to try to emphasize the importance of education to those who might come up through the ranks by experience. Mr. Higgins went on to state: Four years of experience does not equate to 4 years of education. Anyone with an academic degree, this will have no effect on them. People who are coming up through the ranks by experience will have to get a couple of additional years of experience before sitting for the professional exam. Without 4 years of college they are just not ready to take the exam and they fail frequently. .........Most states now require an academic degree. Senator Shaffer and Mr. Higgins discussed the length of time required in active engineering for the proposed new requirements. Mr. Turnipseed noted a broader background is desirable. Senator O'Connell requested information on how widely spread the information on the proposed new legislation has been. Mr. Higgins noted there has been widespread notice. William R. Petty, Vice Chairman, Nevada board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors, testified next noting most all states now have protracted educational requirements. In order to have proper reciprocity with other states, Mr. Petty stated, the extra educational requirements for Nevada will be necessary. Mr. Holmes stated his support for A.B. 63, again noting the need for additional educational requirements in order for candidates to be able to fully compete in the coming years. Mr. Montgomery noted there is a need for good engineers in Nevada, also noting the change from 8-years to 10-years education will enable candidates to have a more rounded education. Senator Regan noted he will support the additional education for engineers, as theirs is a most important responsibility. Senator Townsend closed the hearing on A.B. 63 and opened the hearing on A.B. 298. ASSEMBLY BILL 298: Revises provisions governing licensing and regulation of professional engineers and land surveyors. Mr. Robb noted there are a number of requested changes in A.B. 298. Among these are several changes in terminology; i.e., "Engineer-in-training" to "Engineering intern." Another would be to change "Land surveyors-in-training" to "Land-surveying intern." According to Mr. Robb, another change relates to more disciplined and specific areas for testing. Several other changes in terminology were brought forth by Mr. Robb concerning testing and grading practices. Another important change being sought would be to delete the expiration date on an "in- training" certificate. Senator Neal, Senator Augustine, Mr. Petty and Mr. Robb proceeded with a detailed discussion dealing with the testing process. Discussing the grading process, Mr. Petty noted, on occasion, the Board takes action at one of their meetings as far as grades are concerned, so notifying registrants may sometimes take 6-weeks before test results are known. This is in compliance with other states, thus keeping the way open for reciprocity with these other states. Mr. Petty went on with further explanation regarding the testing process. Mr. Holmes came forward to add clarification for Senator Neal regarding the testing process. Mr. Montgomery again noted his support for these bills. Senator Townsend closed the hearing on A.B. 298. Senator Townsend then called for a vote on all three bills. SENATOR REGAN MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 26, A.B. 63, AND A.B. 298. SENATOR O'CONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. * * * * * There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Beverly Willis, Committee Secretary APPROVED BY: Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman DATE: Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor April 7, 1995 Page