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Panel advances bill to create temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers
Summary
The IPA subcommittee showed favorably House Bill 339, which creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway — including a temporary license that expires Dec. 15, 2031 — for surveyors and mappers that rely on employer recommendation and an exam; members debated liability and experience requirements before approving the measure 14–1.
House Bill 339, brought to the IPA subcommittee by Representative Abbott, would create an alternative pathway for temporary licensure for surveyors and mappers to help meet workforce needs. Under the measure an applicant could gain a temporary license after submitting a letter of recommendation from a licensed surveyor or prospective employer and passing the required examination; the temporary credential would expire Dec. 15, 2031.
“HP 339 creates an alternative pathway for temporary licensures for surveyors and mappers to help meet the increasing needs,” Representative Abbott told the committee, describing a process in which an applicant could receive a temporary license following an employer recommendation and successful completion of the exam.
Members asked several substantive questions. Representative Nixon asked whether the temporary license carries a work requirement; Abbott said “No, ma’am. There are not any work requirements as in the bill currently.” Nixon asked whether the measure’s sponsor would consider an amendment to add an experience requirement; Abbott replied she was willing to meet and consider amendments. Representative Obrador (name appears in the record as a questioner) asked about liability insurance and whether a temporary licensee could sign and seal work; Abbott said the temporary licensee “would have a regular license just like any other surveyor mapper,” and that whether an insurer would issue different coverage would be up to the insurance company.
Other members raised concerns about protecting professional standards. Representative Overdorf said he appreciated the effort to expand the profession but said he could not support the bill that day because he thought “a surveyor that has not gone through the processes should be treated” differently, citing risks tied to surveying errors. Several members expressed support while reserving the right to pursue amendments; Representative Antone said he would vote for the bill that day.
The committee adopted the bill and recorded a roll-call vote of 14 yeas, 1 nay. The committee showed the bill favorably, sending it on to the next step in the process.
The bill as described in committee requires temporary license applicants to pass the exam and to show later that they have met educational requirements in order to continue licensing after the temporary status ends. Sponsors told the committee they are open to amendment to add experience requirements or other qualifications raised by members during debate.
