[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6613932,"mediaKeyId","2866623-e7a7e4e31368393f5f17e342a601d4cf","parentId",2866623,"title","Board takes positions on several bills, opposes interpreter mandate for exams and supports teleconference rules","audioSeconds",869,"startMs",7109000,"endMs",7978000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2866623-e7a7e4e31368393f5f17e342a601d4cf&start=7109&end=7978","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2866623-e7a7e4e31368393f5f17e342a601d4cf/thumbnail_7109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6613932/California/Board-takes-positions-on-several-bills-opposes-interpreter-mandate-for-exams-and-supports-teleconference-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613932-d23a841a1f403f575adbe2c428a3d4c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770557815&Signature=k9wdJxFdAdVVbztmcs9ax1REaUiZTwQRQRGm-ya0UjDNGYdFjyURsRe-IXNa4aqUXrqig2RFI~suONM7quLuMovdVcmB5GvvqorBaFFh32U2n4Hg-ETMCKwHyOCJcqTx58NslbSpMbMqyTTaO99lU~8Y0sW7fdLZxt1weQ4igFKy3292lBGcye2mZaLY5M4kR~8fpMTdCn-8Tn1mZwD7BPILqjIsObEjK55P4pbRj~8l3wFvcm0w03FFbWsPjCl~CamGnLzuwauWbkPqQcxW3lrSo6tvEQ0yEuoW4a5hYh71VSstkIFLpx5K8a1lmmmojKDW7Vnug~AJOZm61jyl1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Respiratory Care Board of California","date","2025-04-03T21:20:57.873Z","article","The board voted on multiple legislative items during its April 3 meeting, directing staff to communicate the board's concerns to authors and committees and adopting formal positions on several bills.

Interpreter requirement (AB 667): Board staff advised that Assembly Bill 667 was amended on April 1 to expand interpreter access and reporting obligations to written and oral portions of exams across all Department of Consumer Affairs boards. Staff told members this would create operational and security problems for computer-based testing vendors and for national exams administered by outside vendors. The board voted to \"oppose unless amended\" and authorized staff to communicate concerns to the author's office and committees, requesting an exemption for this board. The motion carried on roll-call.

Descendants-of-slavery measures (AB 742 and SB 518): The board discussed two related proposals dealing with expedited licensing for descendants of American slavery. AB 742 was revised from prior-year language; staff recommended a watch position because DCA proposals and a companion bill (SB 518) could create a new bureau to confirm descendant status and transfer determinations to licensing boards. The board voted to take a watch position on AB 742.

SB 518 would create a state Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery to confirm applicant eligibility for expedited review. Staff recommended a watch position; after discussion the board voted to watch SB 518. The final recorded roll-call on SB 518 showed a mix of votes and an abstention; staff will continue to monitor legislative developments.

Teleconferencing and open-meeting rules (SB 470): The board supported Senate Bill 470, which would remove the sunset date for COVID-era teleconferencing flexibility and make current hybrid/remote meeting procedures permanent. Board members emphasized accessibility and equity for public commenters and stakeholders across California; the motion to support SB 470 carried.

Other measures: The board took watch positions on bills addressing disaster-declared renewal relief (SB 641) and other measures with potential cross-board implications. Where staff recommended opposition or requested exemptions, the board authorized staff to represent the board's views to legislative offices and to coordinate with DCA legislative affairs staff.

Staff emphasized that many bills are still being amended and that positions taken as \"watch\" preserve the board's ability to engage with authors and committees as language evolves.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists Meeting- April 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 3 meeting the board authorized staff to oppose AB 667 (an exam interpreter requirement) unless amended to exempt the board, took watch positions on several bills including measures on descendants of slavery and disaster relief renewals, and supported making pandemic-era teleconferencing rules permanent (SB 470).","taxTitle","Respiratory Care Board of California, Boards and Commissions, Executive, California","taxId",76751,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6613937,"Board adopts certified hydrogeologist exam specs; public raises concerns about computer-based testing for complex engineering exams",293,2496000,2789000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2866623-e7a7e4e31368393f5f17e342a601d4cf&start=2496&end=2789","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2866623-e7a7e4e31368393f5f17e342a601d4cf/thumbnail_2496000.jpg","/articles/6613937/California/Board-adopts-certified-hydrogeologist-exam-specs-public-raises-concerns-about-computer-based-testing-for-complex-engineering-exams","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613937-d868c95be57c04c90b4610dd014c3a0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770557815&Signature=fIUjrCfoidHojjXRPJYRXvxUBAgzg7E6K8tvUigoJSlkA~5g7uIhnY886aOZ4~pUEIh-J8msVxEKb1IRelbztd6NpI-xQ8CCrW-j4Ztd8f51THDnZ98A7npiVZE2j7bhdKzwtvFv771z5Ae8c6Y9T62nAAhcJ9nJF-iSnCgFCU6DcvzpIkTt-g1sAieD8y7HEPmLnbCkGLQgRXzyRzFTgWZ3MevTdHzsrJ5hvmS1suNJ3vj-cSTqwB4ezGiAiR1CwOCPEnJBTCbktT2fcjW-dgz8yegXWNX64zcaqPXwk8DH7WnI71osCUN2Ew3jkx63oUbe0FdR0xo-7lLgITb~4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists voted April 3 to adopt updated test specifications for the certified hydrogeologist examination, with the new specifications to take effect in October 2025.

Larry Kerest, the board's examination manager, briefed members on the spring 2025 examination administration, listing dates: the state geology exam was administered March 4; ASBOG national exams took place in March; the state land-surveyor exam was scheduled for April 9; and the NCEES national one-day exams were set for April 15. Kerest told the board the new certified hydrogeologist test specifications were on page 29 of the meeting materials and sought board approval to adopt the specifications for the October cycle.

A motion to approve was made, seconded, and carried. The roll-call vote recorded all board members present voting in favor; the chair declared, \"Motion carried.\" The board's action formalizes the content and structure of the hydrogeologist exam for the October 2025 administration.

Public comment at the meeting shifted the conversation to broader testing issues. Michael Parolini, representing the Structural Engineering Association of California and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations, praised the goal of reliable pass-fail outcomes but criticized the transition of some complex structural exams to computer-based testing (CBT). Parolini said the structural engineering community \"support[s] any pass rate ... provided that the passers of that exam are minimally competent engineers. That's the goal.\" He and other commenters argued that the CBT implementation for complex, multi-part engineering exams has produced an experience that sometimes measures a candidate's ability to navigate the testing interface rather than strictly measuring technical knowledge.

Board staff and members acknowledged the reports. Rick told the board that the board's staff and liaison continue to follow vendor and NCEES responses and that NCES (NCEES) and test vendors are working on improvements. Board staff noted that state candidates for some disciplines are more accustomed to CBT because many state and national engineering exams have already moved to computer formats. Staff also said they participate in zone and national communications with NCEES and that the board's staff would continue to monitor candidate feedback and vendor remediation efforts.

The board asked staff to keep reporting on exam administration issues and candidate concerns; staff said they would provide updates at upcoming zone meetings and the board's May meeting.","The board approved new test specifications for the certified hydrogeologist exam effective October; public commenters and board staff discussed continuing issues with computer-based testing for complex exams such as structural engineering, and urged vendor and NCEES engagement.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6613942,"Board, educators warn Sonoma State geology cuts could shrink licensure pipeline",2649,3442000,6091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2866623-e7a7e4e31368393f5f17e342a601d4cf&start=3442&end=6091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2866623-e7a7e4e31368393f5f17e342a601d4cf/thumbnail_3442000.jpg","/articles/6613942/California/Board-educators-warn-Sonoma-State-geology-cuts-could-shrink-licensure-pipeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613942-d420e0da86314dd85c7fcc64e39b4ad7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770557815&Signature=nuN4gihTjt9lp594BsjJlwvpOCoDR8~nD047IR8n9t8jbFmRovmNWUvvATRb9Rm6f9pqYvr8pogeQ10MpJhuGLXEmILIAiDCyYzovlLDib0H4vBGXIWUUkcC9t7zq1hVi3UdoC98u43YLG4wE-As1W4FCKWlbG6o5RD7ZMN8UPjFnWKKfQ6bsOh4xVeLHBHSOR2K53pYgOliGpffJbarcgaQx0JEdKQi-X~TFaAN6mAC-T~gfLXLq8HitI49IJIRWZImqbtQAOBo9p2obh2HS60td-a~9upXnXQ9cgfFNH7J~HrMN0fpMV33hFPMDX0CtUY0Xhp3ZaKHtlgYdzDlMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists on April 3 discussed the announced elimination of Sonoma State University's geology program and the effect the change could have on producing qualified geologists for licensure and public-safety work in California.

Board Executive Officer Rick (last name not specified in transcript) told members he and staff visited Sonoma State and that the board had already circulated an advocacy letter. \"We need to put a letter out before the next board meeting,\" he said; the board's staff sent the letter on March 18 to the Sonoma State president, the California State University chancellor and the CSU trustees office, and to several professors.

The board and multiple university faculty and professional groups emphasized why the program matters. Maddie Mukherjee, chair of the geology department at Sonoma State University, said the university received a one-year extension of the department's layoff date that will allow the faculty to teach out current students. \"Our layoff date was extended by a year so that we can teach out the majors that we have,\" Mukherjee said, and urged continued advocacy.

Christopher Keane, director of geoscience policy and higher-education initiatives at the American Geosciences Institute, told the board that state and national demand for licensed geoscientists is strong and that delays or program eliminations reduce the throughput to licensure. Carrie Cato, a professor of geology at California State University, San Bernardino, said many geology majors are transfer or first-generation students who discover geology only after arriving on campus; eliminating programs reduces the pool of future licensees for local infrastructure work.

Staff and board members raised several technical barriers created by current education rules. Josh (staff) and Rick described the board's 2018 education regulations, which require specific coursework (notably field geology) for initial licensure; board staff said applicants often cannot count work experience until their education requirements are satisfied. As Rick summarized the problem: if a candidate must return to take a short field course to close an academic gap, years of prior professional experience may not count toward licensure under current law or regulation. Tiffany (enforcement/staff) and others said this creates practical and equity barriers for many applicants.

Board members and university faculty described field geology coursework as costly and resource-intensive: multiple upper-division field classes often require multi-day or multi-week field sessions. Mukherjee said Sonoma State's curriculum includes multiple field classes associated with core major courses and that no other nearby program matches that level of field training.

The board did not take formal disciplinary or legislative action at the meeting, but members directed staff to pursue options. Staff said they would: (1) work with Sonoma State faculty and statewide geoscience organizations to circulate the letter to additional decision-makers, including local legislators and the governor's office; (2) investigate regulatory and legislative approaches that would allow specified professional experience to substitute for a missing field class or other narrowly defined coursework; and (3) return to the board with specific proposal(s for rulemaking or draft language for legislative change. Staff also said they would seek to coordinate with professional groups such as the Association of Engineering Geologists and the Geological Society of America.

Board members and several commenters framed the issue as both a workforce and public-safety concern: Caltrans and local agencies rely on locally trained geologists for infrastructure safety and emergency response. Several public commenters urged expanded outreach to highlight geology as a career and to press universities and CSU leadership to reconsider program eliminations. The board and staff said they would continue outreach and return with options at a future meeting.

No vote or formal policy change was adopted during the April 3 discussion; the board's staff confirmed the March 18 letter had been sent and that staff would return with more detailed recommendations.","At its April 3 meeting the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists discussed the planned elimination of Sonoma State University's geology major, sent an advocacy letter and directed staff to explore regulatory or legislative fixes to preserve pathways to licensure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board takes positions on several bills, opposes interpreter mandate for exams and supports teleconference rules

Board adopts certified hydrogeologist exam specs; public raises concerns about computer-based testing for complex engineering exams

Board, educators warn Sonoma State geology cuts could shrink licensure pipeline