BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SB 152
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   July 3, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                     SB 152 (Roth) - As Amended:  April 8, 2013 

          Policy Committee:                             Business and  
          Professions  Vote:                            9 - 3 

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill deletes the current temporary licensing authority that  
          allows engineers, geologists and geophysicists who are licensed  
          in other states to practice engineering, geology, and geophysics  
          in California. In addition, this bill requires the use of a  
          written contract when contracting to provide geological or  
          geophysical services. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Costs associated with this legislation should be minor and  
          absorbable within existing resources. 

           COMMENTS  

           Purpose  . This bill, sponsored by the Board for Professional  
          Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, repeals the board's  
          authority to issue a temporary authorization to out-of-state  
          licensees to practice geology, geophysics or engineering in the  
          state in order to ensure that those professionals have  
          sufficient knowledge of California's unique seismic issues.  In  
          addition, this bill requires geologists and geophysicists to  
          execute a written contract, similar to that currently required  
          of engineers, prior to performing work in order to better  
          protect consumers from unfair contracting or billing practices.   

             
           The author argues that temporary authorizations can pose a risk  
          to the health and safety of consumers because individuals who  
          are not licensed in California may not be familiar with the  
          terrain, soils or seismic issues specific to California.  








                                                                  SB 152
                                                                  Page  2



           Analysis Prepared by  :    Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081