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CHAPTER ACTIVITIES Some
chapters appear to be rather busy with all of their activities while others
appear to be just surviving. It was great to see some of the creative ways that
chapters were involved in Surveyors week.
Membership - We are still promoting new and creative ways to bring in new
members. We are working with the chapters having them target employees of
surveying firms for possible membership. We are also promoting a goal of 100%
membership of all non TSPS Registered Professional Land Surveyors. Chapter
members are encouraged to find a non - TSPS Surveyor in their area to take to
lunch or coffee and discuss the benefits of becoming a TSPS Member. The hot
topic of the quarter has been the Chapter CEU Seminars at Chapter meetings.
Hopefully throughout all of the discussion the matter was resolved. Other
topics that may be of interest to the chapters are always welcome. Sincerely, Curtis
Strong GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS The Governmental Affairs Committee in conjunction with TSPS Legislative Counsel Mark Hanna introduced and worked on passing the TSPS 2007 legislative agenda. Although the regular session does not end until May 28, 2007, this report will give the current status of our bills and a verbal report at the June 9 meeting will give the final results.
HB1305 - repeal state sales tax on surveying services - filed and referred to the House Ways & Means - died uneventfully in committee
HB2659 – relating to a court order for a land surveyor to cross land – filed and referred to House Licensing & Administrative Procedures – heard in public hearing and reported favorably to Local & Consent Calendar – laid on table in House with companion SB1634 considered in lieu of – SB 1634 passed out to Senate with amendment (correct a typographical error so SB1634 would match HB2659)
SB1634 - relating to a court order for a land surveyor to cross land – filed and referred to Senate Jurisprudence – heard in public hearing and reported favorably to Local & Uncontested Calendar – passed out to House – referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures – considered in committee and reported favorably to Local & Consent Calendar – laid out in lieu of companion HB2659 (see above) – amended and passed out to Senate – Senate concurrence on amendment and final passage – sent to Governor for signature
HB2456 – relating to the requirements for a surveyor-in-training certificate (SIT renewal) - filed and referred to House Licensing & Administrative Procedures – heard in public hearing and reported favorably to Local & Consent Calendar – laid on table in House with companion SB1340 considered in lieu of – SB 1340 passed out to Senate
SB1340 – relating to the requirements for a surveyor-in-training certificate (SIT renewal) - filed and referred to Senate Business & Commerce – heard in public hearing and reported favorably to Local & Uncontested Calendar – passed out to House – referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures – considered in committee and reported favorably to Local & Consent Calendar – laid out in lieu of companion HB2456 (see above) – House passage reported to Senate – Senate reported final passage – sent to Governor for signature – signed by Governor
Based on comments from Senators in the public hearing testimony and follow-up discussions this bill was amended to make the SIT designation an 8 year certificate (same as the EIT) with the intent to have TBPLS pass a rule allowing renewal of the certificate based on payment of an administrative fee and completion of continuing education. A draft rule to this effect was written and passed off to the TSPS Liaison to TBPLS for submittal and process with TBPLS.
HB2820 – relating to the practice of professional land surveying by a business entity (business registration with TBPLS) - filed and referred to House Licensing & Administrative Procedures – heard in public hearing and reported favorably to Local & Consent Calendar – passed out to Senate – referred to Senate Business & Commerce
At the request of TSPS, this bill was picked up on the Senate side by Senator Watson and will be scheduled for public hearing in Business & Commerce. We expect this bill to be reported favorably to Local & Uncontested Calendar and receive final passage by Senate.
TSPS has had an extremely favorable legislative session, which the Governmental Affairs Chair believes is the result of all the prior years of effort in developing our presence at the State Legislature.
Before you think this Committee Chair is doing something magic, you should be aware that I only need to show up for specific meetings and hearings and benefit from all of the behind the scenes legwork and reputation of our extremely capable legislative Counsel, Mark Hanna.
Respectfully Submitted Patrick A.
Smith, RPLS SurPAC No contributions have been since the February 10, 2007, report due to the Legislature being in session.
SurPac has received contributions of $ 1856.55 since the last report. Current SurPac bank balance is $ 14,374.50 (as of May 7).
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Seipel
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