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American
Council
of
Engineering
Companies
Tennessee Engineering Center - 800 Fort
Negley Boulevard - Nashville, Tennessee 37203 |
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American
Council
of
Engineering
Companies
Tennessee Engineering Center - 800 Fort
Negley Boulevard - Nashville, Tennessee 37203 |
|
Legislation of Interest to Engineers
SB 210 by Bill Ketron HB 84 by Janice Sontany ACEC of Tennessee and TSPE oppose licensure of interior designers. Interior designers do not significantly affect public health, safety and welfare, which is the only justification for licensure. The proper specification of materials and furnishings that meet fire safety codes is already governed by the building codes.
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SB 2978 by Steve Southerland HB 2985 by John Litz ACEC of Tennessee and TSPE oppose increasing the threshold for public works projects from $25,000 to $250,000 and permitting the “reuse” of designs. Engineers are licensed in Tennessee and across the country to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Whether a public project is large or small or costs more or less than a specific dollar amount is not at issue - protection of the public is our primary concern. We are working with the sponsors on this bill.
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SB 1888 by Doug Jackson HB 2118 by John Tidwell, PE, and Frank Niceley ACEC of Tennessee and TSPE oppose licensure of soil scientists. The legislation defines the practice of the “soil scientist,” which overlaps with the practice of geotechnical/environmental engineering. By the issuance of a license, the state is legitimizing the practice of engineering by a non engineer. This legislation appears to require that the engineer retain the services of a “soil scientist” to perform work that is now completed by the engineer. We are working with the sponsors on this bill.
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SB 3140 by Bill Ketron HB 2555 by Jim Hackworth ACEC of Tennessee and TSPE support legislation requiring the State Fire Marshal to promulgate new statewide building construction safety standards on or before July 1, 2009. Because they are designed to work together, we recommend adoption of the 2006 edition of the International Building Code and the 2006 edition of the International Fire Code. Many municipalities and states have already adopted these codes.
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SB 3252 by Paul Stanley HB 3602 by Steve McManus ACEC of Tennessee and TSPE support legislation creating a statewide board of building code appeals. Right now the only option that a designer or owner has is litigation, which can be a long drawn-out process. Both the 2006 International Building Code and the out-dated Standard Building Code include an appeals board
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SB 2750 by Tracy and HB 2926 by Pinion and Harmon SB 3345 by Black and HB 2801 by Buck and Harwell SB 3879 by Norris and HB 3887 by Buck ACEC of Tennessee and TSPE support legislation that prohibits transfer of money from the Highway Fund to the General Fund, in the interest of continuing economic development in Tennessee. Our infrastructure and highway system are significant factors when companies consider expanding or relocating to Tennessee. We do not want to halt the progress we have made in the last few years.
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SB 3907 by Bunch HB 3691 by K Brooks ACEC of Tennessee and TSPE oppose legislation which exempts from the requirement that an engineer or architect must prepare plans and specifications for signs if: 1) the sign costs $25,000 or less 2) has no more than 150 square feet of sign face, and 3) stands no more than 25 feet high We are concerned about the health and safety ramifications of signs being exempt from the registration requirement because such signs are dangerous because of wind loads. We are working with the sponsors.
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If you would like copies of the issue briefs on these bills, please contact Candy Toler
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