2008 Legislation
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HOUSE BILL NO. 337

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H0337.................................by ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
GEOLOGISTS BOARD - Amends and repeals existing law to revise definitions;
to revise qualifications for the State Board of Registration for
Professional Geologists; to revise duties and powers of the State Board of
Registration for Professional Geologists; to revise provisions relating to
contracts; to repeal provisions relating to records and registration; to
revise disciplinary powers of the board; and to provide for additional
civil penalties.

01/15    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
01/16    Rpt prt - to Env

Bill Text



                                                                      
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-ninth Legislature                   Second Regular Session - 2008

                                                                      

                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 337

                      BY ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO GEOLOGISTS; AMENDING SECTION 54-2802, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE  DEFI-
  3        NITIONS;  AMENDING  SECTION  54-2804, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE QUALIFICATIONS
  4        FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP; AMENDING SECTION  54-2808,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO  REVISE
  5        POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  THE BOARD; REPEALING SECTION 54-2810, IDAHO CODE,
  6        RELATING TO RECORDS AND  REGISTRATION;  AMENDING  SECTION  54-2818,  IDAHO
  7        CODE,  TO REVISE PROVISIONS FOR CONTRACTS WITH THE STATE AND ITS POLITICAL
  8        SUBDIVISIONS AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION  54-2819,
  9        IDAHO  CODE,  TO REVISE THE BOARD'S DISCIPLINARY POWERS, TO PROVIDE REFER-
 10        ENCE TO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES REGARDING  ADMINISTRATIVE  PROCEDURE  OF  THE
 11        ATTORNEY  GENERAL  AND TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE FINE; AND AMENDING
 12        SECTION 54-2821, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL CIVIL PENALTIES, TO
 13        REVISE PROVISIONS RELATING TO LEGAL COUNSEL AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL  CORREC-
 14        TIONS.

 15    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

 16        SECTION  1.  That  Section 54-2802, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 17    amended to read as follows:

 18        54-2802.  DEFINITIONS. As used in this chapter:
 19        (1)  "Board" means the state board of registration for professional geolo-
 20    gists.
 21        (2)  "Geologist" means a person who is qualified by reason of  his  knowl-
 22    edge of principles of geology, the physical sciences, and mathematics acquired
 23    by  education  and  practical experience, to engage in the practice of profes-
 24    sional geology. Such persons may practice geology if they meet one (1) or more
 25    of the criteria set forth in section 54-2822, Idaho Code.
 26        (3)  Within the intent of this chapter, it is recognized  that  "gGeology"
 27    is  a  fundamental  means the science dealing with which includes the physical
 28    study of the earth, the organisms,  materials  and  structures  composing  the
 29    earth,  the  physical  forces  affecting the earth, and the utilization of the
 30    knowledge and its origin and history. Geology includes assessment  and  inter-
 31    pretation  of  the earth's and its constituent rocks, minerals, liquids hydro-
 32    carbons, solids and fluids, including surface and  underground  waters,  gases
 33    and  other  materials  insofar  as  these factors and the study of the natural
 34    agents, forces and processes which cause changes in both  the  subsurface  and
 35    surface  of the earth, including any anthropogenic features or activities that
 36    may influence the safety and public welfare affect, or be affected by, but not
 37    limited to, these agents, forces, physical and  chemical  characteristics  and
 38    processes.
 39        (4)  The  terms,  "Practice  of geology" and professional geology," within
 40    the intent of this chapter, shall include means any professional service  such
 41    as  consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, and mapping, or respon-
 42    sible supervision of such activities in connection with any public or  private
 43    project,  as governed by the principles of geology, wherein the public welfare

                                       2

  1    or the safeguarding of life, health, or property  is  concerned  or  involved,
  2    when  such  service  is  rendered  in a professional capacity and requires the
  3    application of geologic principles and data the science of geology.
  4        A person shall be construed to practice  or  offer  to  practice  geology,
  5    within the meaning and intent of this chapter, who practices any branch of the
  6    profession of regulated geology; or who when he, by verbal claim, sign, adver-
  7    tisement,  letterhead,  card, or in any other way represents representation of
  8    himself to be as a geologist, or through the use of some other  title  implies
  9    that  he  is  a  geologist or that he is registered under this chapter; or who
 10    holds himself out as able to perform, or who does perform any geological  ser-
 11    vices  or  work  recognized as geology, except as provided in section 54-2822,
 12    Idaho Code.
 13        Further, within the intent of this chapter,  it  is  recognized  that  the
 14    information derived from geological studies may be utilized in various associ-
 15    ated fields or sciences concerned with the safety and public welfare.
 16        Registration  under this chapter, however, does not qualify the registrant
 17    to practice professionally in any field or science other than geology.
 18        (2)  The term "geologist," within the intent of this chapter, shall mean a
 19    person who is qualified by reason of his knowledge of principles  of  geology,
 20    the  physical  sciences,  and  mathematics acquired by education and practical
 21    experience, to engage in the practice of professional geology.
 22        (35)  The term "pProfessional geologist," as used in this  chapter,  shall
 23    means a person who has been duly registered by the state board of registration
 24    for professional geologists.
 25        (4)  The  term  "board" as used in this chapter shall mean the state board
 26    of registration for professional  geologists,  hereinafter  provided  by  this
 27    chapter.

 28        SECTION  2.  That  Section 54-2804, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 29    amended to read as follows:

 30        54-2804.  QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP. Members of the board  shall
 31    be  citizens  of the United States and residents of this state, and they shall
 32    have been engaged in the practice of geology for at least twelve  seven  (127)
 33    years and shall never have been the subject of a disciplinary action under the
 34    provisions of this chapter.

 35        SECTION  3.  That  Section 54-2808, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 36    amended to read as follows:

 37        54-2808.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD. -- SUBPOENAS. (1)  The  board  shall
 38    have  the power to adopt and amend rules including, but not limited to, a code
 39    of ethics and standards of conduct which may be reasonably necessary  for  the
 40    proper  performance  of  its duties and the administration of this chapter and
 41    the regulation of proceedings before the board. It shall  adopt  and  have  an
 42    official  seal. It shall have power to provide an office, office equipment and
 43    facilities and such books and records as may be reasonably necessary  for  the
 44    proper performance of its duties. The board may, by written agreement, author-
 45    ize the bureau of occupational licenses as agent to act in its interest.
 46        (2)  The  board is authorized to enter into interstate compacts, contracts
 47    or agreements to facilitate the practice and regulation  of  geology  in  this
 48    state.
 49        (3)  In  carrying  into  effect the provisions of this chapter, the board,
 50    under the hand of its chairman and the seal of the board, or its designee  may
 51    request  the  subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, of witnesses and

                                       3

  1    also may require the production submission of such books, records and  papers,
  2    as may be required at documents, or other pertinent data in any hearing before
  3    it, and for that purpose disciplinary matters or in any case where a violation
  4    of this chapter is alleged.  Upon failure or refusal to comply with any lawful
  5    order  of the board, or upon failure to honor its subpoena as herein provided,
  6    the board may request a district apply to any court to issue  a  subpoena  for
  7    any  witness  or a subpoena duces tecum having jurisdiction to compel the pro-
  8    duction of any books, records or papers. Subpoenas shall be  directed  to  the
  9    sheriff  of any county in the state of Idaho where such witness resides or may
 10    be found. Subpoenas shall be served and returned in the same manner as subpoe-
 11    nas in a criminal case. The fees and mileage  of  the  sheriff  and  witnesses
 12    shall be the same as that allowed in district court criminal cases, which fees
 13    and  mileage  shall  be  paid  from  any funds in the state treasury available
 14    therefor in the same manner as other expenses of the board are paid. Disobedi-
 15    ence of any subpoena issued by the district court or the refusal by  any  wit-
 16    ness  in  failing to testify concerning any matter regarding which he may law-
 17    fully be interrogated, or the failure to produce any books, records or papers,
 18    shall constitute a contempt of the district court of  any  county  where  such
 19    disobedience  or refusal occurs, and said court, or any judge thereof, by pro-
 20    ceedings for contempt in said court, may, if such contempt  be  found,  punish
 21    said  witness  as  in any other case of disobedience of a subpoena issued from
 22    such court or refusal to testify therein enforce compliance with same.
 23        (4)  The board is hereby authorized in the name of the state to apply  for
 24    relief by injunction in the established manner provided in cases of civil pro-
 25    cedure, without bond, to enforce the provisions of this chapter or to restrain
 26    any  violation  thereof.  Venue  for all such actions shall be in the district
 27    court of the fourth judicial district, Ada county, Idaho.

 28        SECTION 4.  That Section 54-2810, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 29    repealed.

 30        SECTION  5.  That  Section 54-2818, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 31    amended to read as follows:

 32        54-2818.  STATE AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISION CONTRACTS -- EXCEPTIONS.  As  to
 33    geology  work performed within the state of Idaho, tThis state and its politi-
 34    cal subdivisions, such as county, city, or legally  constituted  boards,  dis-
 35    tricts,  commissions  or  authorities,  shall contract for geological services
 36    only with persons registered under this act  chapter,  provided  further  that
 37    nothing  in  this  section or act chapter shall be construed to prevent regis-
 38    tered professional engineers from lawfully practicing soils mechanics, founda-
 39    tion engineering, geological engineering, and other professional  engineering,
 40    as  provided in chapter 12, title 54, Idaho Code, and licensed architects from
 41    lawfully practicing architecture as provided in chapter  3,  title  54,  Idaho
 42    Code.

 43        SECTION  6.  That  Section 54-2819, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 44    amended to read as follows:

 45        54-2819.  DISCIPLINE. (1) Grounds for discipline. The board shall have the
 46    power to deny any application for or renewal of a certificate of  registration
 47    or  to  revoke, suspend or amend any such certificate otherwise discipline any
 48    registrant or registration issued pursuant to this chapter  and  to  limit  or
 49    restrict the practice of any registrant upon a determination by the board that
 50    the person:

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  1        (a)  Made,  or caused to be made, a false, fraudulent or forged statement,
  2        document, credentials or representation in procuring or attempting to pro-
  3        cure a certificate of registration to practice geology; or
  4        (b)  Practiced geology under a false or assumed name; or
  5        (c)  Was convicted of, found guilty, received a withheld judgment or  sus-
  6        pended sentence in this or any other state of action constituting a felony
  7        or of a crime involving moral turpitude; or
  8        (d)  Violated  the  provisions of this chapter or rules, standards of con-
  9        duct and practice, or any ethical codes as may be adopted by the board; or
 10        (e)  Is or has been grossly negligent, incompetent,  or  reckless  in  the
 11        practice of geology; or
 12        (f)  Has had a license, certificate, or registration to practice as a pro-
 13        fessional  geologist suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction. A certified
 14        copy of the order of suspension or revocation shall be  prima  facie  evi-
 15        dence of such suspension or revocation.
 16        (2)  Proceedings.  Every  person subject to disciplinary proceedings shall
 17    be afforded an opportunity for hearing after reasonable notice.
 18        (a)  All proceedings hereunder shall be in  accordance  with  chapter  52,
 19        title  67,  Idaho Code, and the Idaho rules of administrative procedure of
 20        the attorney general (IDAPA 04.11.01).
 21        (b)  Hearings shall be conducted by the board or by persons  appointed  by
 22        the board to conduct hearings and receive evidence.
 23        (3)  Probation.  Any  order of the board entered under this section may be
 24    withheld or suspended for a probationary period to be fixed by the board  upon
 25    such  terms and conditions as may be appropriate in order to regulate, monitor
 26    or supervise the practice of geology by the registrant subject to  such  order
 27    for the prescribed probationary period.
 28        (4)  Subsequent  review. Any order of the board entered under this section
 29    may be withdrawn, reversed, modified or amended upon a showing by  the  person
 30    subject  to  the order that the grounds for discipline no longer exist or that
 31    he is rehabilitated, qualified and competent to practice professional  geology
 32    and  that  he is not likely to violate the provisions of this section or rules
 33    adopted hereunder in the future.
 34        (5)  Costs and fees. The board may, pursuant to an order of discipline  or
 35    as  a  condition  to  withdrawal,  reversal,  modification or amendment of the
 36    order, require the person to pay all or part of the costs and fees incurred by
 37    the board in proceedings upon which the order was entered.
 38        (6)  Administrative fines. The board may, pursuant to an order  of  disci-
 39    pline,  require  the payment of an administrative fine not to exceed one thou-
 40    sand dollars ($1,000) for any violation of the provisions of this  section  or
 41    rules adopted hereunder.

 42        SECTION  7.  That  Section 54-2821, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 43    amended to read as follows:

 44        54-2821.  VIOLATIONS OF ACT. (1) Any person who shall practice,  or  offer
 45    to  practice, professional geology for others in this state without being reg-
 46    istered in accordance with the provisions of this act chapter, or  any  person
 47    presenting  or attempting to use as his own the certificate of registration or
 48    the seal of another, or any person who shall give any false or forged evidence
 49    of any kind to the board or to any member thereof in obtaining  a  certificate
 50    of  registration, or any person who shall falsely impersonate any other regis-
 51    trant of like or different name, or any person who shall  attempt  to  use  an
 52    expired  or revoked certificate of registration or practice at any time during
 53    a period the board has suspended or revoked a certificate of  registration  or

                                       5

  1    any  person who shall violate any of the provisions of this act chapter, shall
  2    be guilty of a misdemeanor.
  3        (2)  In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a person  who  vio-
  4    lates  any  provision of this chapter, or any rule adopted hereunder, shall be
  5    subject to the imposition of a civil penalty payable to the board in an amount
  6    not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense.
  7        (3)  In bringing any civil action or disciplinary  proceeding  under  this
  8    chapter,  tThe  board may is authorized to employ legal counsel or may request
  9    the Idaho attorney general of this state or any assistant designated by him to
 10    act as legal advisor of the board, and to represent it.  In the event a county
 11    prosecuting attorney having  jurisdiction  declines  criminal  prosecution  or
 12    refers  the matter to the attorney general, the attorney general is authorized
 13    to bring such criminal proceedings in the courts as  he  deems  warranted  and
 14    appropriate.
 15        (4)  Tthe  attorney  general  shall be reimbursed by the board for any all
 16    fees and expenses incurred by the attorney general his office in  representing
 17    the  board;  and  all violations of the provisions of this act shall be prose-
 18    cuted by the prosecuting attorney of the  county  or  counties  in  which  the
 19    violations  of  the  act may be committed bringing any administrative or court
 20    proceeding to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



                     STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

                           RS 17340C1

The proposed legislation will redefine the meaning of “geology”
and the “practice of geology;” decrease the years of practice
required for board members from twelve (12) to seven (7) to
reflect the same requirements required to become registered to
practice geology in the state of Idaho; clarify the powers and
duties of the Board and provide for a specific hearing venue;
repeal unnecessary language reflecting Board policy and
procedures; provide for the utilization of the Idaho Rules of
Administrative Procedure of the Attorney General in disciplinary
proceedings; provide authority to the Board to impose civil
penalties for violations of the provisions of Chapter 28, Title
54, Idaho Code; and make clerical changes.


                            FISCAL NOTE

The proposed one thousand dollar ($1,000.00) civil penalty will
not result in any impact to the state General Fund.




CONTACT
Name:	Margaret Odedo
Agency:	Geologist Board
Phone:	334-2268


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE	                  H 337