With only one day left of the 2007-2008 legislative session, ACEC is working hard to meet their legislative priorities.

November 13 proved to be a big day for ACEC and the engineering community as the ACEC-endorsed increased penalties bill (Senate Bill 1515) was approved by the full House and is now headed to Governor Granholm to be signed into law. Senate Bill 1515 was sponsored by ACEC Legislator of the Year, Senator Alan Sanborn. The companion bill, HB 4938, was sponsored by Representative Barb Farrah also passed both chambers. HB 4938 amends the criminal code to include unauthorzed practice of professional engineering on the felony list.

Despite doubts about getting the bill included on the busy House agenda, ACEC lobbyist Melissa Yutzey of Kelley Cawthorne worked with House leadership to make it happen. Although they waited until 11 pm, the bill was brought before the House and approved with a 65-35 vote prior to the Thanskgiving break. SB 865 was unanimously approved by the Senate on November 5.

SB 1515 will significantly increase the penalties for the unlicensed practice of professional engineering or architecture and help to protect the life, health and safety of the public. ACEC, along with partners MSPE and AIA, have been working on passing this legislation for many years.

ACEC is working to pass legislation to reduce the statute of limitations for malpractice claims brought against professional engineers from 6 to 2 years. Enabling legislation, Senate Bill 865, has passed the Senate and was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee earlier this month. The bill must pass the House on December 18, the last day of the session, or the bill dies.

ACEC is working closely with Michigan's Transportation Team to help pass legislation that would increase investment in Michigan's transportation system. The state stands to lose Federal aid as soon as 2009 due to the inability of the state to provide the necessary matching dollars. A package of bills have been passed out of the House but key details have yet to be included in the bills set to be taken up by the Senate on December 18.

For more information Contact: Ron Brenke