Professional Land Surveyors’ Act.
If passed, SB 407 would empower the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists to regulate new surveying practices that utilize these technologies. As a result, the bill recognizes the need to amend the state’s laws to keep pace with technological advancements in land surveying. The proposed changes could enable land surveyors to employ and get licensed for techniques that are crucial for precise mapping and measurement of the earth's surface, thereby enhancing the accuracy of survey data and methodologies used in both public and private sectors.
Senate Bill 407, also known as the Professional Land Surveyors Act, is aimed at amending Section 8726 of the Business and Professions Code in California. The main objective of the bill is to expand the definition of land surveying to include the application of contemporary technologies such as radar, sonar, and electromagnetic waves alongside traditional methods such as mathematics and photogrammetry. This expansion addresses the evolving landscape of surveying practices, ensuring that modern surveyors are included under professional licensing and regulation standards.
One potential point of contention could arise from the implications of newly licensed practices regarding existing surveyors who may not have training in advanced technologies. Furthermore, as SB 407 introduces a state-mandated local program, local agencies may be concerned about the costs associated with the implementation and enforcement of these new regulations, although the bill does state that no reimbursement is required for related costs. Thus, while the bill aims to modernize land surveying practices, careful consideration of its impact on current operational norms and financial implications for local jurisdictions will be necessary.