Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
 
Board
Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists
 
chapter
Regulations for the Geology Certification Program [18 VAC 145 ‑ 40]
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8/18/23  8:38 am
Commenter: Martin J. Woodard, PhD PG PE

PG Support Letter sent to Senators Jan. 2023
 
Dear Senators, 
 
Recently I was made aware of the introduced legislation to eliminate the license and/or certification requirements for Geologists as well as other professions. I am a professional geologist as well as a professional engineer residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I am against this proposal. 
 
The role of a professional geologist and the expertise they alone have is extremely important to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Much of our infrastructure such as roads, bridges, rail lines, are built with the need to understand what these structures will be built upon. The professional geologist is uniquely qualified to understand these foundations and convey what is needed to construct or live with them. Other professions such as simply a professional engineer do not have this background. 
 
Other areas such as pipeline construction, quarry operations, mining (including coal mining), heavily utilize the tools that a professional geologist has in which no other profession trains. 
 
I do not understand the desire to de-regulate this occupations especially that of the professional geologist. I request that this proposed legislation be abandoned. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Dr. Martin J. Woodard, PhD PG PE
 
RESPONSE:
 

Dear Dr. Woodard,


Thank you for writing to me to express your concerns over Senate Bill 1480 - a bill that would have repealed certain provisions of the Code related to the regulation of geologists, landscape architects, interior designers, residential building energy analysts, backflow prevention device workers, auctioneers, boxing, wrestling, and martial arts events.


I heard from many of the people, like you, that would have been negatively impacted by this proposal and shared your concerns with the legislation. The bill was referred to the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee, of which I am a member. You will be pleased to know that my Senate colleagues and I voted to Pass by Indefinitely (PBI) by a vote of 14-1, killing the legislation. 


I appreciate your advocacy on this issue. Your voice is vital to this legislative process, and I hope you will not hesitate to reach out in the future.


Kindest regards,



Jennifer

-- 
Senator Jennifer Boysko
Senate of Virginia, District 33
1-703-437-0086 District Office
1-804-698-7533; Room E 513 Pocahontas Building
Chief of Staff Karen Harrison
COS cell 703-401-0428
CommentID: 219294