MALSCE Government Affairs Update – August 2024

Government Affairs activities and news for MALSCE members

by Abbie Goodman, MALSCE Chief of External Affairs

FY2025 State Budget Process

• ​Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll Sign $57.78 Billion Fiscal Year 2025 Budget on July 29, 2024

• Information on Governor's Budget Vetoes, from Mass Taxpayers Foundation

  - Includes $1 Million for Dam Safety Technical Assistance to address vulnerable dams.

  - $2.8 Million to fund critical work on culverts and small bridges.

​​Legislative Session:

• The formal session of the Massachusetts legislature ended on July 31, 2024.
  • The Legislature did pass the Housing bond bill, which Governor Maura Healey signed into law: August 6, 2024: Governor Maura Healey Signs Most Ambitious Legislation to Address Housing Costs in State History 
• As of the date I'm writing this report, there is a chance that the legislature will come back in September to take care  has a flurry of activity related to:
  • The Economic Development Bond bill still in a conference committee:   https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4722 
  • The Federal Matching Funds Bills still in a conference committee: S 2554 and H 4446 
  • The Clean Energy Siting bills still in a conference committee: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2829 

Division of Occupational Licensure: Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors

• Next Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors public meeting is posted as: August 29, 2024. The Board of Registration is planning to hold this meeting on Teams.  For meeting details, go to this page two business days before the meeting and scroll down to the meeting listing to download the agenda with either location or connection instructions.
• Draft May 30, 2024 public meeting minutes were approved at the July 25, 2024 public meeting but are not yet posted on the Board's website.  Here is the version that the board discussed at its July 25 Board meeting: Draft May 30, 2024 public meeting minutes

Highlights of 7/25/2024 Board of Registration Meeting

• The Division of Occupational Licensure records its boards’ meetings.
• This meeting was held on Teams only. The planned August 29 meeting is expected to be on Teams. The Board plans to return to hybrid meetings later in 2024, if at least one-quarter of the board can attend in person.
• Chair Paul Tyrell  called the meeting to order. 
• The Board reviewed and approved the May 30, 2024 public session meeting at this meeting.
• The Board again discussed the poor quality of plans filed with the Suffolk Registry of Deeds and again discussed having staff prepare a letter of concern to all the Registries of Deeds. The new board counsel Philip Chan indicated that the Division feels it has no authority to contact the Registries of Dees.  This sparked considerable discussion with apparent frustration from the Board. The Board again asked for an Advisory letter to the Registries.
• The Board then discussed an issue with the City of Boston requiring Fire Protection Engineers for certain plans filed with Boston Inspectional Services Division. This prompted a discussion about the need to send a letter to the ISP indicating that a licensed PE with the experience who may not expressly have an FPE license should be able to stamp the plans. Information  on issue
• Board Counsel Legal Report from Philip Chan
  • No Change: Draft Continuing Professional Competency Regulations are still in the Executive Office of Administration and Finance and then would move on to the Secretary of State's office for review.
• Executive Director report by Kathleen McNally.
  • Still chipping away at the NCEES enforcement exchange list
  • Conversion of JP exam to computer-based-testing: working on dates for a meeting with the exam committee.
• Exam Committee for Professional Surveyor exam, reported by Joyce Hastings, PLS: 
  • Dennis Drumm has resigned as Committee Chair, but will stay on the Committee. Dan MacIsaac was recommended.
  • Seven people took the exam last spring. Passing score was 70%. Of the 7 people who took the exam: 2 first time test-takers passed and two Massachusetts residents passed. 
  • The Division did not have the Professional Surveyor exam dates for Fall 2024, but expected them to be in early October. I requested the dates. 
• The Board reached a consent agreement with Carlos Rodriguez, who paid a $3000 fine for practicing without a license.
• The Board’s Public Meeting adjourned at about 10:30 am.