PRINTER'S NO. 2016
No. 1527 Session of 1990
INTRODUCED BY STEWART AND SHUMAKER, MARCH 19, 1990
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
MARCH 19, 1990
AN ACT
1 Establishing the State Board of Professional Geologists and
2 prescribing its powers and duties; providing for the
3 certification of professional geologists; and appropriating
4 funds collected.
5 TABLE OF CONTENTS
6 Section 1. Short title.
7 Section 2. Legislative findings.
8 Section 3. Definitions.
9 Section 4. Practice by firms, corporations, partnerships and
10 associations.
11 Section 5. Exemptions.
12 Section 6. State Board of Professional Geologists.
13 Section 7. Application.
14 Section 8. Qualifications.
15 Section 9. Temporary certificates.
16 Section 10. Unlawful practice.
17 Section 11. Record.
18 Section 12. Refusal, suspension or revocation of certificate.
1 Section 13. Reinstatement of certificate.
2 Section 14. Reporting of multiple certification or licensure.
3 Section 15. Surrender of suspended or revoked certificate.
4 Section 16. Penalties.
5 Section 17. Subpoenas.
6 Section 18. Fees and reports.
7 Section 19. Rules and regulations.
8 Section 20. Appropriation.
9 Section 21. Repeals.
10 Section 22. Effective date.
11 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
12 hereby enacts as follows:
13 Section 1. Short title.
14 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Geologists
15 Certification Act.
16 Section 2. Legislative findings.
17 The General Assembly finds that in order to safeguard life,
18 health, property and environment and to promote the public
19 welfare, the practice of geology in this Commonwealth is hereby
20 declared to be subject to regulation in the public interest.
21 Section 3. Definitions.
22 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
23 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
24 context clearly indicates otherwise:
25 "Board." The State Board of Professional Geologists.
26 "Certified professional geologist." A person who, by reason
27 of knowledge of the principles of Earth science acquired by
28 education and practical experience, is qualified to engage in
29 the practice of geology as hereinafter defined and who has been
30 certified by the State Board of Professional Geologists pursuant
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1 to the provisions of this act, and whose certification is in
2 force and has not been suspended or revoked.
3 "Commissioner." The Commissioner of Professional and
4 Occupational Affairs.
5 "Department." The Department of State of the Commonwealth.
6 "Display." Written reports, plans, maps, cross sections,
7 diagrams or any other presentations used to communicate the
8 results, conclusions and recommendations of the practice of
9 geology.
10 "Geology." The science which treats the Earth in general;
11 the study of the physical Earth by means of measuring its
12 natural and induced fields of force and its responses to natural
13 and induced energy and the interpreting of these measurements
14 and the relating of them to the physics of the Earth; the
15 investigation of the Earth's crust and the rocks and other
16 minerals which compose it and the applied science of utilizing
17 knowledge of the earth and its constituent rocks, minerals,
18 liquids, gases and other materials for the benefit of mankind.
19 "Practice of geology." The practice or the offer to practice
20 geology for others for a fee including, but not limited to,
21 describing the natural processes acting on earth materials,
22 gases or fluids; predicting the probable occurrence of natural
23 resources; predicting and locating natural or man-induced
24 phenomena which may be useful or hazardous to mankind; and
25 recognizing, determining and evaluating geologic factors. The
26 foregoing shall not be deemed to include the practice of
27 engineering, land surveying or landscape architecture for which
28 separate registration is required.
29 "Responsible charge." A position of independent control and
30 direction by the use of initiative, skill and independent
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1 judgment in geological work or the supervision of such work.
2 Section 4. Practice by firms, corporations, partnerships and
3 associations.
4 A firm, corporation, copartnership, association or joint-
5 stock company may engage in the practice of geology in this
6 Commonwealth, provided that such practice is carried on by or
7 under the responsible charge of at least one certified
8 professional geologist or persons exempted under section 5(4)
9 whose name and seal or stamp appears on all displays provided to
10 the public.
11 Section 5. Exemptions.
12 The following shall be exempted from registration under the
13 provisions of this act:
14 (1) The work of employees of certified geologists,
15 solely in assisting a certified geologist in the practice of
16 geology, without assuming the responsible charge of work.
17 This exemption does not permit any such employee to practice
18 geology for others in his own right or to use the title
19 certified professional geologist.
20 (2) Persons engaged solely in teaching the science of
21 geology.
22 (3) Officers and employees of the Federal Government and
23 of the Commonwealth while engaged in this Commonwealth in the
24 practice of geology for the Federal and State Government.
25 (4) Individuals licensed as professional engineers,
26 professional land surveyors or registered landscape
27 architects performing geological work which is incidental to
28 their engineering, surveying or landscape architecture.
29 Section 6. State Board of Professional Geologists.
30 (a) Membership of board.--The State Board of Professional
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1 Geologists shall consist of the Secretary of Environmental
2 Resources or his designee, the Commissioner of Professional and
3 Occupational Affairs, two members appointed by the Governor with
4 the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall be persons
5 representing the public at large, and five members appointed by
6 the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, who
7 shall be certified professional geologists or who, until such
8 time as the provisions of this act are implemented, fulfill the
9 requirements for certification as herein specified.
10 (b) Terms of members.--
11 (1) The terms of members of the board shall be four
12 years or until a successor is duly appointed and qualified,
13 but no longer than six months after the expiration of the
14 term. In the event that a board member shall die, resign or
15 otherwise become disqualified during the term of office, a
16 successor shall be appointed in the same way and with the
17 same qualifications as set forth in this section and shall
18 hold office for the unexpired portion of the unexpired term.
19 No board member shall be eligible for appointment to serve
20 more than two consecutive four-year terms.
21 (2) Within 90 days of the effective date of this act,
22 the Governor shall nominate one public member and one
23 professional member to serve four-year terms, two
24 professional members to serve three-year terms, one public
25 and one professional member to serve two-year terms and one
26 professional member to serve a one-year term.
27 (c) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the board serving
28 in accordance with the law shall constitute a quorum. A member
29 may not be counted as part of a quorum or vote on any issue
30 under this act unless he is physically in attendance at the
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1 meeting.
2 (d) Officers of the board.--Annually the board shall select
3 a chairman and a secretary from among its members.
4 (e) Compensation.--Each member of the board, except the
5 commissioner and the Secretary of Environmental Resources or his
6 designee, shall receive $60 per diem when actually attending to
7 the work of the board. Members shall also receive the amount of
8 reasonable traveling, hotel and other necessary expenses
9 incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with
10 Commonwealth regulations.
11 (f) Sunset review.--The board is subject to evaluation,
12 review and termination within the time and in the manner
13 provided in the act of December 22, 1981 (P.L.508, No.142),
14 known as the Sunset Act.
15 (g) Attendance at meetings.--A member of the board who fails
16 to attend three consecutive meetings shall forfeit his seat
17 unless the commissioner, upon written request from the member,
18 finds that the member should be excused from a meeting because
19 of illness or the death of a family member.
20 (h) Attendance at training seminars.--A public member who
21 fails to attend two consecutive statutorily mandated training
22 seminars in accordance with section 813(3) of the act of April
23 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of
24 1929, shall forfeit board membership unless the commissioner,
25 upon written request from the public member, finds that the
26 public member should be excused from a meeting because of
27 illness or the death of a family member.
28 (i) Employees of board.--The board, with the approval of the
29 commissioner, may employ and fix the duties of necessary
30 personnel to assist it in the performance of its duties.
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1 (j) Duties generally.--The board shall have the duty to:
2 (1) Specify qualifications for certification consistent
3 with those hereinafter set out.
4 (2) Provide certificates and geologist trainee
5 certificates.
6 (3) Subject to the department's approval, specify means
7 of application for certification.
8 (4) Specify means for examinations prior to
9 certification.
10 (5) Specify means for renewal, replacement and
11 reissuance of certificates.
12 (k) Code of ethics.--The board shall establish by regulation
13 a code of ethics for the practice of geology.
14 (l) Specialties.--The board may, by regulation, provide for
15 the division of the certification of geologists into different
16 specialties, including, but not limited to, petroleum, mining,
17 groundwater and engineering, and may issue certificates in one
18 or more of the specialties in which the applicant demonstrates
19 proficiency.
20 Section 7. Application.
21 (a) Fee.--Each application for original certification shall
22 be accompanied by an application fee in an amount established by
23 the board by regulation and in the form of a check or money
24 order made payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
25 (b) Contents.--An applicant for certification shall file
26 with the board the original of an application form, available
27 from the board. The form shall require such relevant information
28 about the applicant's character, training and experience
29 required under this act as shall be established by the board by
30 regulation.
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1 (c) Examination.--The board is hereby authorized to develop
2 and administer an examination which the board may require as a
3 prerequisite for new certifications. All written, oral and
4 practical examinations shall be prepared and administered by a
5 qualified and approved professional testing organization in the
6 manner prescribed for written examinations by the provisions of
7 section 812.1 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175),
8 known as The Administrative Code of 1929.
9 Section 8. Qualifications.
10 (a) Qualifications.--An applicant shall be qualified to be
11 certified after submission of proof satisfactory to the board
12 that the applicant:
13 (1) Is of good moral character.
14 (2) Has graduated from an accredited institution of
15 higher learning, with a major in geology, geophysics,
16 geochemistry or engineering geology with a minimum of 30
17 semester or 45 quarter hours in geology, geophysics,
18 geochemistry, engineering geology or their subdivisions; or
19 completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in geological
20 science courses leading to a major in geology, of which at
21 least 24 semester hours are in third or fourth year or
22 graduate courses.
23 (3) Has completed at least seven years of professional
24 geological work, which shall include either a minimum of
25 three years of professional geological work under the
26 supervision of a certified professional geologist, except
27 that prior to July 1, 1991, professional geological work
28 shall qualify under this section if it is under the
29 supervision of a qualified geologist, or a minimum of five
30 years experience in responsible charge of professional
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1 geological work. Professional geological work does not
2 include routine sampling, laboratory work or geological
3 drafting. In establishing the required number of years of
4 professional geological work the following criteria of
5 education and experience shall be utilized:
6 (i) Each year of undergraduate study in the
7 geological sciences shall count as one-half year of
8 professional geological work up to a maximum of two
9 years, and each year of graduate study or research shall
10 count as a year of professional geological work.
11 (ii) Teaching in the geological sciences at college
12 level counts as one year of professional geological work,
13 provided that the total teaching experience includes six
14 semester hours per semester for at least two semesters,
15 or equivalent if under another system, of third or fourth
16 year or graduate courses.
17 (iii) Credit for undergraduate study, graduate study
18 and teaching, individually, or in any combination
19 thereof, may not exceed a total of four years toward
20 meeting the required number of years of professional
21 geological work.
22 (4) Has passed any examination duly adopted by the
23 board.
24 (5) Has paid all appropriate fees in the amount
25 determined by the board by regulation.
26 (6) Has not been convicted of a felony under the act of
27 April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled
28 Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or of an offense
29 under the laws of another jurisdiction which if committed in
30 this Commonwealth would be a felony under The Controlled
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1 Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless:
2 (i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of
3 conviction;
4 (ii) the applicant otherwise satisfactorily
5 demonstrates to the board that he has made significant
6 progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction
7 such that certification of the applicant should not be
8 expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the
9 health and safety of his clients or the public or a
10 substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
11 (iii) the applicant otherwise satisfies the
12 qualifications contained in or authorized by this act. As
13 used in this subparagraph the term "convicted" shall
14 include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of
15 nolo contendere.
16 (b) Verification of application.--Each applicant shall
17 submit an affidavit or affirmation of the applicant as to the
18 verity of the application. Any applicant who knowingly or
19 willfully makes a false statement of fact in his application
20 shall be subject to prosecution for perjury and to having his
21 request for certification denied.
22 (c) Denial.--An applicant who is denied certification shall
23 be notified in writing and informed of the reason for the
24 denial.
25 (d) Seals and stamps.--Each individual certified under this
26 act shall, upon certification, obtain and use a seal or stamp of
27 certification of a design authorized by the board, bearing the
28 certified individual's name and number, the legend "Certified
29 Professional Geologist."
30 (e) Renewal of certification.--Every geologist certified
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1 under this act who desires to continue the practice of geology
2 shall every two years pay to the board a renewal fee, to be
3 established by the board by regulation. The fee shall be paid on
4 or before a date to be fixed by the board, upon receipt of which
5 a renewal certificate for the current period shall be issued.
6 (f) Failure to renew.--Failure of a certified individual to
7 renew a certificate by the date of its expiration shall not
8 automatically deprive such person of the right of renewal,
9 except that application for renewal of an expired certificate
10 shall be made on a form and be accompanied by payment of a
11 delayed renewal fee as the board may prescribe by regulation.
12 (g) Replacement certificates.--Replacements for certificates
13 lost, destroyed or mutilated shall be issued subject to the
14 rules of the board. A replacement fee, to be established by the
15 board by regulation, shall be paid for such issuance.
16 Section 9. Temporary certificates.
17 A temporary certificate may be granted by the board for the
18 practice of geology, upon proper application for and the payment
19 of a fee established by the board by regulation, by a person who
20 is not a resident of and has no established place of business in
21 this Commonwealth, when such practice does not exceed an
22 aggregate of 30 days in any calendar year, provided that the
23 person is duly certified to practice geology in a state or other
24 jurisdiction in which the requirements for the certification of
25 geologists are of a standard satisfactory to the board or the
26 person presents evidence satisfactory to the board that the
27 person is qualified to practice geology and is not legally
28 prohibited from doing so in the state or country where he
29 maintains an office for that practice, and provided that the
30 nonresident shall file with the board, before or within five
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1 days of the beginning of the aggregate of a 30-day practice of
2 geology in this Commonwealth, a statement giving name,
3 residence, the number of his certificate or equivalent and by
4 what authority issued or other evidence of qualification, and
5 the place and nature of the work in which the person will be
6 engaged in this Commonwealth and, upon completion of the work, a
7 statement of the time engaged in such work within this
8 Commonwealth.
9 Section 10. Unlawful practices.
10 (a) Unlawful practice.--No person shall practice or offer to
11 practice geology, as defined in this act, or to use in
12 connection with the person's name or otherwise assume or
13 advertise any title or description tending to convey the
14 impression that the person is a certified professional
15 geologist, unless the person has been duly certified or exempted
16 under the provisions of this act.
17 (b) Geologist displays.--All geological displays shall be
18 prepared by a certified professional geologist or by a person
19 under the responsible charge of a certified professional
20 geologist and all geological displays shall be signed, stamped
21 or impressed with the seal of the certified professional
22 geologist, which shall indicate responsibility for them.
23 (c) Use of another's stamp.--It shall be unlawful for any
24 person to present or attempt to use as his own the certificate,
25 stamp or seal of certification of a certified individual or to
26 falsely impersonate any certified individual of like or
27 different name.
28 (d) Penalty.--A person who violates any of the provisions of
29 this section commits a summary offense and shall, upon
30 conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $500 or
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1 to imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. A person who
2 violates the provisions of this section for the second time
3 commits a misdemeanor of the second degree and shall, upon
4 conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $1,000 or to
5 imprisonment of not more than two years, or both.
6 Section 11. Record.
7 (a) Maintenance of record.--As soon as practicable after the
8 completion of the biennial renewals in each even-numbered year,
9 the board shall maintain and made available a record showing the
10 names and addresses of certified professional geologists who are
11 valid registrants in this Commonwealth until the date shown in
12 the record.
13 (b) Individual responsibility.--It shall be the
14 responsibility of each registrant to keep the board advised of
15 the latest address of the registrant.
16 Section 12. Refusal, suspension or revocation of certificate.
17 (a) General rule.--The board may refuse to issue a
18 certificate or may suspend, revoke, limit or restrict a
19 certificate or reprimand a certificate holder for any of the
20 following reasons:
21 (1) Failing to demonstrate the qualifications or
22 standards for a certificate contained in this act or
23 regulations of the board.
24 (2) Making misleading, deceptive, untrue or fraudulent
25 representations in the practice of geology.
26 (3) Practicing fraud or deceit in obtaining a a
27 certificate to practice geology.
28 (4) Displaying gross incompetence, negligence or
29 misconduct in carrying on the practice of geology.
30 (5) Submitting a false or deceptive biennial
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1 registration to the board.
2 (6) Being convicted of a felony in any Federal or State
3 court or being convicted of the equivalent of a felony in any
4 foreign country or being convicted of a misdemeanor in the
5 practice geology. As used in this paragraph the term
6 "convicted" includes a finding or verdict of guilt or a plea
7 of nolo contendere or receiving probation without verdict,
8 disposition in lieu of trial or an Accelerated Rehabilitative
9 Disposition the disposition of felony charges.
10 (7) Having a certificate to practice geology suspended,
11 revoked or refused or receiving other disciplinary action by
12 the proper geologist certificating or licensing authority of
13 another state, territory or country.
14 (8) Being unable to practice geology with reasonable
15 skill and safety by reason of illness, drunkenness, excessive
16 use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals or any other type of
17 material, or as a result of any mental or physical condition.
18 In enforcing this paragraph, the board shall, upon probable
19 cause, have authority to compel a geologist to submit to a
20 mental or physical examination by a physician or a
21 psychologist approved by the board. Failure of a geologist to
22 submit to such examination when directed by the board, unless
23 such failure is due to circumstances beyond his control,
24 shall constitute an admission of the allegations against him,
25 consequent upon which a default and final order may be
26 entered without the taking of testimony or presentation of
27 evidence. A geologist affected in this paragraph shall at
28 reasonable intervals, as determined by the board, be afforded
29 an opportunity to demonstrate that he can resume a competent
30 practice of geology with reasonable skill and safety.
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1 (9) Violating a lawful regulation promulgated by the
2 board, including, but not limited to, ethical regulations or
3 violating a lawful order of the board previously entered in a
4 disciplinary proceeding.
5 (10) Knowingly aiding, assisting, procuring or advising
6 any uncertificated person to practice geology contrary to
7 this act or regulations of the board.
8 (11) Committing immoral or unprofessional conduct.
9 Unprofessional conduct shall include any departure from, or
10 failure to conform to, the standards of acceptable and
11 prevailing geology practice. Actual injury to a client need
12 not be established.
13 (b) Board action.--When the board finds that the certificate
14 or application for certificate of any person may be refused,
15 revoked, restricted or suspended under the terms of subsection
16 (a), the board may:
17 (1) Deny the application for a certificate.
18 (2) Administer a public reprimand.
19 (3) Revoke, suspend, limit or otherwise restrict a
20 license as determined by the board.
21 (4) Require a certificate holder to submit to the care,
22 counseling or treatment of a physician designated by the
23 board.
24 (5) Suspend enforcement of its findings thereof and
25 place a certificate holder on probation with the right to
26 vacate the probationary order for noncompliance.
27 (6) Restore a suspended certificate to practice geology
28 and impose any disciplinary or corrective measure which it
29 might originally have imposed.
30 (c) Hearing.--All actions of the board shall be taken
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1 subject to the right of notice, hearing and adjudication and the
2 right of appeal therefrom in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. (relating
3 to administrative law and procedure).
4 Section 13. Reinstatement of certificate.
5 Unless ordered to do so by the Commonwealth Court or an
6 appeal therefrom, the board shall not reinstate the certificate
7 of a person to practice geology pursuant to this act, which has
8 been revoked. A person whose certificate has been revoked may
9 apply for reinstatement, after a period of at least five years,
10 but must meet all of the licensing qualifications of this act,
11 including any examination requirement, if he desires to practice
12 as a geologist pursuant to this act at any time after such
13 revocation.
14 Section 14. Reporting of multiple certification or licensure.
15 Any certified geologist of this Commonwealth who is also
16 certificated or licensed to practice geology in any other state,
17 territory or country shall report this information to the board
18 on the biennial renewal application. Any disciplinary action
19 taken in any other state, territory or country shall be reported
20 to the board on the biennial renewal application, or within 90
21 days of disposition, whichever is sooner. Multiple certification
22 or licensure shall be noted by the board on the certified
23 geologist's record, and such state, territory or country shall
24 be notified by the board of any disciplinary actions taken
25 against the certified geologist in this Commonwealth.
26 Section 15. Surrender of suspended or revoked certificate.
27 The board shall require a person whose certificate has been
28 suspended or revoked to return the certificate in such manner as
29 the board directs. Failure to do so shall be a misdemeanor of
30 the third degree.
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1 Section 16. Penalties.
2 (a) Criminal penalties.--A person who violates this act
3 commits a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall, upon
4 conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000
5 or to imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.
6 (b) Civil penalty.--In addition to any other civil remedy or
7 criminal penalty provided for in this act, the board by a vote
8 of the majority of the maximum number of the authorized
9 membership of the board as provided by law, or by a vote of the
10 majority of the duly qualified and confirmed membership or a
11 minimum of four members, whichever is greater, may levy a civil
12 penalty of not more than $1,000 on any current certificate
13 holder who violates any provision of this act or on any person
14 who holds himself out as a certified geologist without being so
15 certified pursuant to this act. The board shall levy this
16 penalty only after affording the accused party the opportunity
17 for a hearing, as provided in 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to
18 administrative law and procedure).
19 (c) Disposition.--All fines and civil penalties imposed in
20 accordance with this section shall be paid into the Professional
21 Licensure Augmentation Account.
22 (d) Injunction.--Unlawful practice may be enjoined by the
23 courts upon petition of the commissioner or the board. In any
24 proceeding under section 10, it shall not be necessary to show
25 that any person is individually injured by the actions
26 complained of. If the court finds that the respondent has
27 violated section 10, it shall enjoin him from practicing until
28 he has been duly certified. The injunction remedy provided in
29 this section shall be in addition to any other civil or criminal
30 prosecution and punishment.
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1 Section 17. Subpoenas.
2 (a) Power to issue.--The board shall have the authority to
3 issue subpoenas, upon application of an attorney responsible for
4 representing the Commonwealth in disciplinary matters before the
5 board, for the purpose of investigating alleged violations of
6 the disciplinary provisions administered by the board. The board
7 shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, to administer oaths,
8 to examine witnesses and to take such testimony or compel the
9 production of such books, records, papers and documents as it
10 may deem necessary or proper in, and pertinent to, any
11 proceeding, investigation or hearing held or had by it. Client
12 records may not be subpoenaed without consent of the client or
13 without order of a court of competent jurisdiction on a showing
14 that the records are reasonably necessary for the conduct of the
15 investigation. The court may impose such limitations on the
16 scope of the subpoena as are necessary to prevent unnecessary
17 intrusion into client confidential information. The board is
18 authorized to apply to the Commonwealth Court to enforce its
19 subpoenas.
20 (b) Notification of board.--An attorney responsible for
21 representing the Commonwealth in disciplinary matters before the
22 board shall notify the board immediately upon receiving
23 notification of an alleged violation of this act. The board
24 shall maintain current records of all reports of alleged
25 violations and periodically review the records for the purpose
26 of determining that each alleged violation has been resolved in
27 a timely manner.
28 Section 18. Fees and reports.
29 (a) Fees.--
30 (1) All fees required pursuant to this act shall be
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1 fixed by the board by regulation and shall be subject to the
2 act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the
3 Regulatory Review Act. If the revenues raised by fees, fines
4 and civil penalties imposed pursuant to this act are not
5 sufficient to meet expenditures over a two-year period, the
6 board shall increase those fees by regulation so that
7 projected revenues will meet or exceed projected
8 expenditures.
9 (2) If the Bureau of Professional and Occupational
10 Affairs determines that the fees established by the board
11 pursuant to paragraph (1) are inadequate to meet the minimum
12 enforcement efforts required by this act, then the bureau,
13 after consultation with the board and subject to the
14 Regulatory Review Act, shall increase the fees by regulation
15 in an amount so that adequate revenues are raised to meet the
16 required enforcement effort.
17 (b) Reports.--
18 (1) The board shall submit annually a report to the
19 Professional Licensure Committee of the House of
20 Representatives and the Consumer Protection and Professional
21 Licensure Committee of the Senate containing a description of
22 the types of complaints received, status of the cases, board
23 action which has been taken and length of time from the
24 initial complaint to final board resolution.
25 (2) The board shall submit annually to the
26 Appropriations Committees of the House of Representative and
27 the Senate, 15 days after the Governor has submitted his
28 budget to the general Assembly, a copy of the budget request
29 for the upcoming fiscal year which the board previously
30 submitted to the department.
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1 Section 19. Rules and regulations.
2 The board shall promulgate rules and regulations as it deems
3 necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
4 Section 20. Appropriation.
5 The sum of $50,000, or as much thereof as may be necessary,
6 is hereby appropriated from the Professional Licensure
7 Augmentation Account within the General Fund to the Bureau of
8 Professional and Occupational Affairs in the Department of State
9 for the payment of costs of processing licenses and renewals for
10 the operation of the State Board of Professional Geologists and
11 for other general costs of the bureau's operations relating to
12 this act. The appropriation granted shall be repaid by the board
13 within three years of the beginning of issuance of licenses by
14 the board.
15 Section 21. Repeals.
16 All acts and parts of acts are repealed insofar as they are
17 inconsistent with this act.
18 Section 22. Effective date.
19 This act shall take effect as follows:
20 (1) Section 6 of this act shall take effect immediately.
21 (2) The remainder of the act shall take effect within
22 one year of the appointment and confirmation of the members
23 of the board.
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