MALSCE Government Affairs Update – December 2023
Government Affairs activities and news for MALSCE members
by Abbie Goodman, MALSCE Chief of External Affairs
Save the Date: May 30, 2024, 9 – 11:30 AM: Engineers and Land Surveyors Day at the State House in Great Hall and around the State House.
- More to follow on this in 2024.
- As reported previously, the Davis-Bacon Updates took effect on 10/23/2023. Both ACEC National and NSPS held webinars on the section pertaining to land surveying crews in November with the same instructor.
- On Nov. 7, ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas challenging the DOL’s final rule. NSPS is reportedly supporting the suit in some way, but is not mentioned in the press release: ABC Press Release on lawsuit.
10th Edition of Building Code Moving to Public Hearings
- At the 12/12/23 BBRS (Board of Building Regulations and Standards) meeting, Commissioner Sarah Wilkinson of the Division of Occupational Licensure reported that on 12/11/2023 at 5 pm, the Healey Administration gave final approval to the Division to move the proposed 10th edition 780 CMR state building code to public hearings. There will be three board-approved public hearings – one in Boston, one in Springfield, and the last virtual. The hearings may begin as soon as January 26, 2024. Public comments would close one week after the last hearing. I expect to see formal announcements about the hearings within the next week or so. The unofficial 10th edition of the code is here: https://www.mass.gov/handbook/unofficial-tenth-edition-base-code-draft-780-cmr
Division of Occupational Licensure: Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters Issues New Plumbing Code
- The Commonwealth promulgated the New 248 CMR: 10.00 State Plumbing Code Effective 12/08/2023, raising concerns about effective date, impact on internal and external building designs. More
Simone Early, RA, has been appointed the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Designer Selection Board.
- She will begin her new role on January 2, 2024. She has been serving as the Assistant Director of Architecture and Engineering Services at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
DPU Order Targets Natural Gas Expansion; Decarbonization Laws Driving Effort To Limit New Gas Pipelines, Mains. More
Update on bills to Address Feasibility of Voluntary Acquisition of Flood Risk Properties and Structures. More
Division of Occupational Licensure: Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
The next Board of Registration public meeting will be on December 21, 2023. The Board of Registration is planning to hold this meeting virtually 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.
- Highlights of the 11/16/2023 Board of Registration Meeting
This is a summary of major issues discussed at the meeting, based on observing the meeting on Teams:
- The Division of Occupational Licensure records its boards’ meetings.
- This meeting was held on Teams only. The December meeting will also be on Teams. The Board plans to return to hybrid meetings in 2024, if at least one-quarter of the board is able to attend in person.
- Chair Paul Tyrell called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
- The board approved the October 26, 2023 Public Session Meeting Minutes: see above for draft.
- Erin Joyce, PE, submitted her resignation to the Board of Registration due to her election as the Mayor of Braintree. The Board Chair asked for TECET's help in finding a female PE-Civil (MA) who lives in Massachusetts who would be interested in serving on the Board.
- No Change: JP Exam Conversion to CBT: This is still under discussion with the vendor.
- Board Counsel Legal Report from Patricia LaFore:
- 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 Kathleen McNally informed the Board that the revised and updated complaint tracking spreadsheet was still undergoing review and updating with the hope that a current version would be available before the end of the year. She also informed the Board that a comprehensive review of the NCEES Enforcement Exchange was underway to ensure that all disciplinary actions and dispositions taken by the Board have been reported and uploaded to the individual’s NCEES Enforcement record.
- The Board did not finalize draft responses to email questions they received at their October meeting, referenced in my November report. Based on the discussion, board, and staff will draft responses to the message that may be reviewed at the December meeting.
- The meeting adjourned at app. 10:15 am.
Related public documents:
- Draft November 16, 2023 Public Session Board Minutes - before Board approval
- Prior Executed Consent Agreement with C. Ferreira
- Formal Request to Terminate Suspension of C. Ferreira
- Board of Registration proposed 2024 meeting dates
