The bill also modifies requirements regarding state and local agency heads when selecting professional services, stipulating that any agency head making determinations about the need for technical services must be licensed in the appropriate discipline. This provision is designed to enhance the integrity and appropriateness of decisions made in governmental contexts. Furthermore, SB 1057 extends the timeline for required hearings following appeals related to tentative maps from 30 days to 45 days, which may help accommodate more thorough review processes for interested parties affected by such decisions.
Senate Bill 1057, introduced by Senator Jones, proposes amendments to the Business and Professions Code, specifically addressing the licensure and regulation of land surveyors in California. The bill aims to define 'cadastral surveying' explicitly within the context of the Professional Land Surveyors Act, which currently governs the practice of land surveying across the state. A key feature of the legislation is its emphasis on ensuring consistency and clarity in the requirements for survey records, making allowances for data to be presented in both graphic or narrative forms. This marks an important step in modernizing documentation practices within the field of land surveying.
Notably, the bill does not seem to incorporate extensive public commentary or dissent regarding the proposed changes, which suggests a general acceptance among stakeholders in the land surveying community. However, there is a potential for challenges as these amendments could affect the operations of local governments in managing surveying and mapping, particularly regarding timelines for appeal processes. Stakeholders might express concerns about the implications for local control over appeals related to land use and development regulations.