MALSCE Government Affairs Update – December 2022
by Abbie Goodman, MALSCE Chief of External Affairs
Only 733 PLSs licensed in Massachusetts:
This is up three from what I reported last month. I've been tracking license data since 2003 and this is the lowest number I've ever seen for license Professional Land Surveyors in Massachusetts. You'll seen more information below, but MALSCE needs your help. Are you able to help increase awareness of land surveying careers?
Contact David Prince at MALSCE's Public Outreach Committee to see how you and your firm can help.
PE and PLS totals by discipline up to and through 12/5/2022
The Engineering Center Education Trust, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors and the Division of Occupational Licensure, collects data on the total number of current PE (Professional Engineer) and PLS (Professional Land Surveyor) licensees on an annual basis. More on the data.
Governor-Elect Maura Healey Announcements
As of 12/13/2022: Governor-Elect Maura Healey has just started to announce her senior leadership team, with many more announcements to follow in the weeks ahead.
- 12/13 announced appointments include:
- First Assistant Attorney General Kate Cook, chief of staff
- Matt Gorzkowicz, Secretary of Administration and Finance
- Gabrielle Viator, currently chief deputy attorney general, senior advisor.
- She has formed 6 transition teams to collect information on key issues:
- How We Get Around: How we make sure our public transportation infrastructure is safe, reliable, affordable and connects our entire state.
- Affordable, Abundant Housing: How we ensure all residents have access to safe, affordable housing regardless of the region in which they live.
- Climate Readiness, Resiliency and Adaptation: How we tackle the climate crisis head on while also creating good-paying jobs, protecting our communities and addressing climate injustices.
- Jobs and a Flourishing Economy for All: How we build a dynamic economy that reduces costs for people and businesses while lifting up our workers.
- Thriving Youth and Young Adults: How we address learning loss from the pandemic and give all children and families equitable access to the educational, social, emotional, and behavioral supports they need.
- Safe and Healthy Communities for All Ages: How we build safe communities and increase access to critical community health resources, including mental health supports and substance use recovery services.
Now confirmed: May 11: Engineers and Land Surveyors Day at the State House
- in person, with MWWA, UCANE, some MMA. This is a new date; please save this date
New Legislators to Join Legislature in 2023
https://www.acecma.org/about/news/new-legislators-to-join-legislature-in-2023-4605
Governor Baker Signs “No Net Loss” Land Conservation Bill:
https://www.acecma.org/about/news/governor-signs-no-net-loss-land-conservation-bill-4598
Clean Heat Panel Sees “Real Burdens” Ahead; Commission Makes Recommendations To Move Away From Fossil Fuels
- Massachusetts Commission on Clean Heat: Final Report: https://www.mass.gov/doc/massachusetts-commission-on-clean-heat-final-report-november-30-2022/download
- The Commission on Clean Heat's final report recommends that Massachusetts develop and implement a "clean heat standard" that could incentivize cleaner heating technology and promote the electrification of building stock, encourage joint natural gas and electric system planning, and reorganize existing energy efficiency and clean energy transition programs to be more user-friendly for residents, businesses, and contractors, among other proposals.
Division of Occupational Licensure: Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
Next Board of Registration meeting: January 26, 2022, on Teams. The Board of Registration plans to continue virtual meetings for now, as the Governor and Legislature have extended the law allowing virtual public meetings like this to continue through March 31, 2023. To connect to the meeting, go to this page and scroll down to the meeting listing to download the agenda with connection instructions.
The October 27, 2022, minutes, which were approved at the November 17, 2022, meeting, are attached but are not yet posted on Division of Occupational Licensure website.
November 17, 2022, Board of Registration Meeting Summary: these are not minutes, but a summary of what I heard:
- October 27 meeting minutes approved
- 1/26/23 is next Board meeting
From Board Legal Counsel Jenna Hentoff:
- Architects Board had approved Joint Professional Practice document last month Engineering & LS Board Reviewed the draft document and has some questions. Board member asked that the draft include information that clarifies that an engineering or land surveying firm operating in Massachusetts does not need to be owned by a PE or PLS.
- Continuing Professional Competency Regulations are still under review in Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development with Deputy General Counsel Rob McGovern.
- Esther Laine, who oversees all the boards of registration at the division, is still now acting Exec. Director, while search is still underway.
- Remainder of the meeting was a discussion of enforcement actions from other states reported by some licensees. In addition, the board discussed the application of a former licensee, Kanayo Lala in MA, who had his license revoked by the Board in 2018. He has submitted an application to sit for the 16-hour structural engineering exam, but not all board members had received his application to review. A few board members had his application, but it appeared to be incomplete. The board did not act on his application.
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