FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5266

                          C 247 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Regulating engineers and land surveyors.

Sponsors:  Senators Horn, Fraser, Newhouse and Schow; by request of Department of Licensing.

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background:  The Department of Licensing and the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors have identified a number of provisions in the Engineers and Land Surveyors Licensing statute that require modifications to update and make the department=s administrative procedures consistent, and to clarify the tasks and authority of the board.

Summary:  Two individuals may be appointed upon request to serve as pro-tem members on the board.  Temporary members must meet the same qualifications as regular members.  Temporary members must have the same powers, duties, and immunities of regular members.  Appointments must not last longer than 180 days.

The board conducts investigations in response to a written, sworn statement of complaint concerning alleged violations of the statute or the rules adopted by the board.  The board must immediately inform a registrant when a complaint is filed against him or her.

Application requirements, such as a certified financial statement and statement of the experience of the corporation, are removed.  A professional service corporation is exempt from having to obtain a certificate of authorization from the board.  A partnership is exempt from having to obtain a certificate of authorization provided it employs a licensed individual. A certificate of authority is to be granted to limited liability companies.

Regulation, equivalent to that of engineering, is extended to land surveyors.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 47 0

House     95 0 (House amended)

Senate    45 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 27, 1997

          July 1, 1998 (Section 4)