Board watches bills that would merge boards and criminalize moving corner monuments

Board members received a legislative update focused on two bills of direct interest to land surveyors.

Jay (the professional society representative) and Kyle (legislative staff) highlighted SB 2224, which would combine the architects-and-engineers board with the land surveyors board and merge funds. The bill as discussed would provide 11 voting members plus three associate (nonvoting/advisory) members; board members asked for clarification about membership counts and structure.

Kyle and Jay also summarized SB 1814, a proposal to make intentionally removing, altering or destroying a property corner or geodetic control monument a misdemeanor. Kyle said the bill amends Title 62, Chapter 18 and that it had moved forward in committee; several board members noted concerns about retroactivity and sought additional information about how other states treat similar conduct.

Board members asked staff to watch for amendments and to report back on comparative state approaches. No formal board position was taken at the meeting.