Board takes watch positions on several bills, directs staff to work with authors

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists voted during its regular meeting to take watch positions on a series of bills that staff said could affect licensure, permitting and enforcement duties.

Staff summarized the legislative calendar and recommended watch positions on several measures, including a bill that would extend expedited licensure for certain military applicants (AB 1775), a photogrammetry-related spot bill (AB 1999), and proposals addressing records-of-survey procedures and contractor carve-outs. "At this time, we recommend taking a watch position," staff said when introducing the bills.

Board member Mike moved that the board adopt a watch position on the first bill discussed; Betsy seconded the motion and the board carried it following a roll-call vote called by Selena. Board members emphasized that a watch position does not foreclose taking a later support or oppose position if the language materially changes.

Members asked staff to work with bill sponsors and authors to refine language where the board had expressed legal or implementation concerns. For example, staff flagged potential ambiguity about whether county surveyors would be required to perform field verifications under proposed record-review changes and warned that expanded authority could raise costs for the public.

The board also reviewed two AI-related senate bills that would require human oversight of automated decision systems in public utilities and state licensure processes. Staff characterized those measures as generally aimed at ensuring licensed professionals retain final, accountable judgment: "Automated decision systems should complement, not replace, professional judgment," a staff presentation said. The board voted to watch those measures and directed staff to communicate suggested clarifications to authors where the definition of an "engineering decision" could inadvertently omit related professional roles.

Next steps: staff will monitor committee hearings, continue discussions with authors and report back to the board if bills are amended or require a change in position.