From our friends at AIPG / AEG Arizona Section:
Here is a brief update of where we are regarding the deregulation of geologists as originally proposed in HB 2613. Yesterday, the bill (attached with amendments included) was approved by the House. Here’s the good news: Deregulation of geologists was taken out of the bill and a geologist will continue to be included on the Board of Technical Registration. Unfortunately, the bill includes the following sentence (p. 7):
F. A GEOLOGIST MAY ENGAGE IN A GEOLOGICAL PRACTICE WITHOUT BEING REGISTERED UNDER THIS CHAPTER.
There is concern about this language as it is very nebulous and would make it difficult to enforce technical registration of geologists, among other things. This bill now goes to the Senate where we expect that the sponsors will introduce education and experience requirements for non-registered geologists.
Although we have made great strides, our work is not yet done. Your support is largely why the governor’s office and house sponsors took deregulation of geologists out of the bill. THANK YOU!!
We’ll continue to keep you apprised of developments as the bill works its way through the Senate. If you have thoughts/ideas about the issues raised by this bill, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
For some more background on this issue, visit our Government Goings-on post for March.