MALSCE Government Affairs Update - February 2021

MALSCE Government Affairs Update - February 2021

by Abbie Goodman, MALSCE Chief of External Affairs

See MALSCE Covid-19 Resource Page for current news on Covid-19 Issues

Actions Items Requested with details about these items in the report below:

• Send your comment on the Governor’s Executive Order on Military Spouses to Abbie Goodman by March 12:  Link to Executive Order: https://www.mass.gov/doc/reciprocal-licensing-military-families-executive-order/download 

• ​​Now and through March 19: Ask your Massachusetts Legislators to sign on as co-sponsors of these bills, currently listed with SD (Senate Docket) or HD (House Docket) numbers on this list:
  • State Senators: 
    • Please sign on as a co-sponsor of: SD 1362,  An Act Relative to Public Safety in Excavation
       Sponsor is Senator Brendan P. Crighton   Link to bill text >
    • Please sign on as a co-sponsor of SD.1057, An Act protecting water systems through the labeling of flushable wipes. Sponsor is Senator James B. Eldridge.  Link to bill text > https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/SD1057
  • State Representatives: 
    • ​Please sign on as a co-sponsor of:  HD 3076, An Act supporting safe excavation practices
      Sponsor is State Representative Carolyn C. Dykema HD  Link to bill text >
    • Please sign on as a co-sponsor of SD.1057, An Act protecting water systems through the labeling of flushable wipes. Sponsor is Representative Carolyn Dykema  Link to bill text  >  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/HD1625
  • ​Find your  legislators:  https://malegislature.gov/search/findmylegislator

• Now and by March 12:  Please review the Department of Public Utilities Draft Regulations related to PEs on Natural Gas Projects: https://fileservice.eea.comacloud.net/FileService.Api/file/FileRoom/13162996
  • ​​Send any comments to Abbie Goodman by March 12:

Division of Professional Licensure /  Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors

The next Board of Registration  meeting will be on March 25, 2021 on Teams. To connect to the meeting, go to this page on March 23 to download the agenda with connection instructions.

• January 28, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes will be posted here.
• February 25, 2021 Meeting: Agenda: https://www.mass.gov/doc/engineering-board-meeting-agenda-22521/download

February 25, 2021 Meeting these are not minutes, but a summary: This Board of Registration meeting was held on Teams.

Approved Board Meeting Minutes: January 28, 2021 Public Session

Next Meeting Date – March 25, 2021

New DPU Proposed Regulation 220 CMR 105: Use of Professional Engineers for Gas Utility Work – Board is reviewing these draft regulations: https://fileservice.eea.comacloud.net/FileService.Api/file/FileRoom/13162996

No Board Counsel legal report in February due to family issue; still working on Local Registered Engineering Licenses –Swansea issue, Continuing Education - no new news

ENG Board Executive Director Report:

• NCEES Enforcement Exchange  - discussing chart of issues in other states
• Case Status Report, Notification of Discipline

Review of Applications:

• Application Questions, Application Review Report, Many PE applications received for April exam, Applicants will soon be able to upload applications and work samples directly through PCS
• Land Survey Interview Report: Interviewed 9 candidates on 2/19/21  in 2 groups, Approved 7 applicants to go forward to take the exam. 2 candidates did not move forward as they were not prepared.

Good Moral Character (GMC) Discussion: 2 moral character issues raised with individuals; they have not responded yet.  They had issues out of state, but have not provided documentation about resolutions.Otherwise, Board will make a determination

Correspondence: 

Governor’s Executive Order on Military Spouse issue:  https://www.mass.gov/doc/reciprocal-licensing-military-families-executive-order/download       

DPL is collecting comments on this executive order, which will permit comity licensure of military spouses from other states, including engineers and land surveyors.   

The Board of Registration raised many concerns, including:

• Licensure comity for PEs and PLSs is not that simple
• MA allows technology degree; other states do not
• We do not recognize construction engineering as license type
• Paul Tyrell is seeking to get comprehensive list of issues together.
• Our application has a spot to note military service  (Valor Act requirements)  but not spouses.
• Active duty needs to provide letter to board.  Or dd214 forms showing discharge
• Also discussion of whether Massachusetts would enter into a multi-state compact on licensure. 
• Board members and associations are asked to provide comments to Matt Keigan, Board Executive Director, as soon as possible

Also raised: Ron Willey, PE, Chemical Eng. on board requested to be submitted as candidate for Assist. VP for NCEES, but announced that he plans to move off the board

- Public meeting of Board of Registration ended at 10 AM -

Legislature

Legislative Leadership in both House and Senate announced for 2021-2022 Session

Climate Bill resolution work underway

​New for 2021-2022 Legislative Session, which had a filing deadline of 2/19/21:

• Labeling of Wipes to try to keep them out of sewer systems.
• Dig Safe: refiled in House and Senate - more on this soon.
• Parking safety issue
• Other bills to be scanned; more than 6700 were filed by 2/19/21 deadline

City of Boston Municipal Lobbying Registration 

No change: Design professionals attending meetings with clients on development projects with city of Boston will probably have to register as lobbyists if expressing an opinion that could be construed as advocating for or against a project.

See Updates on this issue on the ACEC/MA Website page on the Boston Lobbying Ordinance

People can email their own questions about their own individual work to lobbying@boston.gov

Opportunities to Serve on Boards and Commissions -Gubernatorial appointment requests:

• Chemical Engineer opening on Board of Registrations of PEs and PLSs
• Still OPEN: 1 PE Mechanical (Female) needed for Board of Building Regulations and Standards: https://www.engineers.org/about/news/board-of-building-regulations-and-standards-seeks-mechanical-pe-for-board-service-3105
• Still OPEN: 1 PE now needed for  MSBA Designer Selection Panel:  https://www.engineers.org/about/news/msba-designer-selection-panel-seeks-2-pes-ma-designer-selection-board-seeks-1-pe-engineer-for-board-1737