Legislative Update
Nebraska Introduces Licensing Model Law Bill
On January 9th, 2008 Nebraska State Senator Joel Johnson introduced Legislative Bill (LB) 742 which would change licensing provisions related to engineers. This legislation implements the changes made in the model law passed in 2006 by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying to modify the requirements for attaining a professional engineer's license.
On February 15th, 2008 the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects debated the merits of LB 742 and voted resoundingly 6-1 in favor of supporting LB 742 and the changes in licensure required.
On February 27th the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee of the Nebraska legislature held a hearing on LB 742.
Four proponents of the bill testified in front of a full hearing room. ASCE member Dale Jacobson, P.E., BCEE, led off and testified on behalf of the society as a whole. Next was Mike Conzett, P.E., chair of the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects, who testified in support on behalf of the Board. He was followed by Mohamed Dahab, PhD., PE, and Chair of the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln who testified for the Department. Finally, Ed Prost, PE, President of the Nebraska Section, testified and gave the full support of the Nebraska Section.
Copy of Dale Jacobson's testimony
Copy of Mike Conzett's testimony
Copy of Mohamed Dahab's testimony
Copy of Ed Prost's testimony
On April 15th, as the Nebraska legislative session was coming to a close the HHS Committee adopted a resolution in relation to LB 742. The resolution (LR 339) proposes that a study commission be formed to examine issues relating to the education requirements for licensure as an engineer. LR 339 was offered up by the Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, Senator Joel Johnson., who also introduced LB 742.
Copy of LR 339
The study commission will take place over the summer so its findings can be presented when the Nebraska legislature convenes next session.
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