S765: Reform Agency Review of Engineering Work

• Requires regulatory authorities (state departments and local government units) to standardize procedures for reviewing permit and license applications by December 1, 2014, clearly distinguishing required revisions from optional suggestions and identifying statutory authority for required changes.

• Mandates creation of informal internal review processes allowing applicants to request supervisory or professional engineer review when designs sealed by professional engineers fall outside existing guidance, or when disagreements arise about whether statutory authority justifies required changes.

• Directs the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to complete a pilot study by March 1, 2015 on wastewater and stormwater permitting programs to identify which work activities constitute engineering practice and recommend appropriate oversight levels.

• Requires all regulatory authorities to review and revise job titles by December 1, 2014 to eliminate public identification of non-licensed staff as "engineers."

• Mandates initial reporting to the Environmental Review Commission before 2015 session and annual reporting through January 1, 2019 on use and outcomes of informal review processes.