There is very little time left this session and AB 69 has not been scheduled for a vote, even though it was approved by the committee and is ready for scheduling.
TWO ACTION ITEMS FOR TODAY
1. Call Senator Plale (608) 266-7505, Senate Sponsor of AB 69 and ask him to contact Senator Decker and ask that AB 69 be moved to the floor and scheduled for a vote.
2. Call Senator Decker (608) 266-2502, Chair of Senate committee charged with scheduling, and ask him to move AB 69 to the floor for a vote.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Comments on Amendment No. 1
Amendment No. 1 which is currently attached to the bill going before the full Senate preserves the opportunity for a graduate of a 2-year technical degree program to apply to sit for the professional engineering exam (Principles and Practice).
My position:
First, let me say thank you for all your efforts on both bills this year. Also, as I testified at the Cogg’s hearing, I am opposed to Amendment No. 1 to AB 69, but I went on in my testimony to say I would support the bill with Amendment No. 1 over having no bill pass this session. That is still my position.
The Tech School issue is too large and it is too late in the current session to make any headway on this issue. I do not think we can mount a successful campaign to eliminate the amendment without killing the bill.
The board sees very few applications for the PE exam from technical school graduates; in my six years on the board, can only recall two. The board is seeing significantly increasing numbers of applications for the grandfather path—even before the news about AB 69 started circulating.
The bill with the amendment will appropriately redirect more engineers than no bill at all. Wisconsin is so far behind the times with the grandfather clause we are long overdue to close that loop hole. That is why I have decided to support the bill with the amendment.
As the Body of Knowledge information becomes more widely known, we can make another run at changing the law and make some other technical corrections I have in mind. My vision for AB 69 was to clean up the “easiest” things that would have the least debate. I was blindsided by the technical school issue and how influential that lobby is.
I am confident if the bill reaches the floor with the amendment, it will pass. If it passes the senate, the Republicans will pass the bill in the Assembly and Rep. Gottlieb can make that happen with his position.
Therefore, I need and would appreciate any support to the Senate members to ensure the bill passes.
My position:
First, let me say thank you for all your efforts on both bills this year. Also, as I testified at the Cogg’s hearing, I am opposed to Amendment No. 1 to AB 69, but I went on in my testimony to say I would support the bill with Amendment No. 1 over having no bill pass this session. That is still my position.
The Tech School issue is too large and it is too late in the current session to make any headway on this issue. I do not think we can mount a successful campaign to eliminate the amendment without killing the bill.
The board sees very few applications for the PE exam from technical school graduates; in my six years on the board, can only recall two. The board is seeing significantly increasing numbers of applications for the grandfather path—even before the news about AB 69 started circulating.
The bill with the amendment will appropriately redirect more engineers than no bill at all. Wisconsin is so far behind the times with the grandfather clause we are long overdue to close that loop hole. That is why I have decided to support the bill with the amendment.
As the Body of Knowledge information becomes more widely known, we can make another run at changing the law and make some other technical corrections I have in mind. My vision for AB 69 was to clean up the “easiest” things that would have the least debate. I was blindsided by the technical school issue and how influential that lobby is.
I am confident if the bill reaches the floor with the amendment, it will pass. If it passes the senate, the Republicans will pass the bill in the Assembly and Rep. Gottlieb can make that happen with his position.
Therefore, I need and would appreciate any support to the Senate members to ensure the bill passes.
AB 69 Passes Senate Committee w/ Amendment
Bill is now ready to move to the full Senate. With only one remaining session likely, it is critically important to ask your senator to vote YES on this bill.
03-05-08. S. Executive action taken.
03-05-08. S. Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 4, Noes 0.
03-05-08. S. Report concurrence as amended recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 4, Noes 0.
03-05-08. S. Available for scheduling.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Senate Committee Hearing
AB-69 had a public hearing by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs in the Senate on February 27, 2008.
The hearing was delayed from the published agenda as the chairman elected to take up the mandatory overtime bill for health care workers first.
Representative Gottlieb was the first to testify and introduce and explain the bill.
The second person to testify represented the technical schools. As expected, they spoke in sport of the bill with an amendment to allow technical school graduates the opportunity to sit for the exam after acquiring sufficient experience.
I spoke third from my position of licensing board and engineering section board chairman. I modified my position slightly. I told the committee that although I disagree with the amendment, I would still support the bill if the amendment we passed. Overall the bill does more good with the amendment than no bill at all. I stressed that the industry is moving toward more education, not less as my reasoning for not supporting the amendment.
Several others testified in support of the bill including Prof. Jeffery Russell, who has lead the work on ASCE's body of knowledge.
We expect the committee will take up the bill next in executive session and take vote on whether to pass it up to the full Senate.
Your continued support by contacting legislators is requested.
The hearing was delayed from the published agenda as the chairman elected to take up the mandatory overtime bill for health care workers first.
Representative Gottlieb was the first to testify and introduce and explain the bill.
The second person to testify represented the technical schools. As expected, they spoke in sport of the bill with an amendment to allow technical school graduates the opportunity to sit for the exam after acquiring sufficient experience.
I spoke third from my position of licensing board and engineering section board chairman. I modified my position slightly. I told the committee that although I disagree with the amendment, I would still support the bill if the amendment we passed. Overall the bill does more good with the amendment than no bill at all. I stressed that the industry is moving toward more education, not less as my reasoning for not supporting the amendment.
Several others testified in support of the bill including Prof. Jeffery Russell, who has lead the work on ASCE's body of knowledge.
We expect the committee will take up the bill next in executive session and take vote on whether to pass it up to the full Senate.
Your continued support by contacting legislators is requested.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Senate Hearing Scheduled
Assembly Bill 69 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs in the Senate. Date/time: February 27, 2008 at 1:05 PM. Location: 300 Southeast.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
AB 69 Referred to Senate Committee
On January 17 AB 69 received First Reading in the Senate. The bill was referred to the Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs. Watch the committee calendar for the hearing schedule.
Now is a good time to contact your Senate representative and explain the need for the bill. The Senate sponsor is Senator Plale. There is still time to get this bill passed this session. I urge you to contact your Senators
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Assembly PASSES AB 69
Assembly Bill 69 passed the full Assembly on a voice vote during the legislative session on January 15, 2008.
The bill was immediately messaged to the Senate. I am hopeful it will be soon referred to committee where a public hearing will be scheduled.
The bill was immediately messaged to the Senate. I am hopeful it will be soon referred to committee where a public hearing will be scheduled.
Monday, January 14, 2008
AB 69 Third Reading Scheduled
AB 69, relating to the registration requirements for professional engineers has been placed on the Assembly calendar for January 15th. More information on the bill can be found here:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/AB69hst.html
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/AB69hst.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)