HB1356 Summary

• Removes exemption for private construction services by contractors/owners; exemption for business organization employees now excludes design of infrastructure utility systems and manufacturing processes.

• Changes Board member term limits from 15 successive years to 10 successive years and prohibits public members from being employees in engineering-related fields (was state employees only).

• Adds "control systems" to definition of professional engineering practice and allows Department to further define "direct supervision/responsible charge" by rule.

• Reduces Board's gatekeeping role by allowing Department to make decisions without prior Board written approval; Secretary need only notify Board before deviating from Board recommendations.

• Adds new disciplinary grounds including tax violations, defaulted education loans, and allows Department/Board to order mental or physical examinations for licensees/applicants; increases maximum civil penalty from $5,000 to $10,000.