An Act To Clarify Laws Concerning the Registration of Professional Engineers
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1028
Committee Amendment CA_A_H303 (House)
Amends: 32 MRSA §1357

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,.(1" to H.P. 711, L.D. 1028, Bill, "An Act To 
Clarify Laws Concerning the Registration of Professional Engineers" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Amend the Laws Concerning the Registration of Professional Engineers' 
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the 
following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers currently lacks 
the statutory ability to provide an equitable solution for licensure renewal that does not 
unfairly burden a licensee whose license has lapsed prior to renewal and who was 
licensed under a prior experience-based pathway to licensure; and 
Whereas, this legislation will restore fairness to the statutes governing the State 
Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers by providing the board with the discretion 
to waive overly burdensome renewal requirements and should be enacted immediately in 
order to protect engineers who are in danger of losing their licenses; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meanin g of the Constitution of Maine and require the follmving legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, ' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §1357, as amended by PL 2013, c. 296, §6, is further amended 
to read: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
fteta 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A"to H.P. 711,L.D.I028 
§1357. Expiration and renewals 
Licenses expire on the last day of December of each odd-numbered years following 
their issaaaee or reae:'Nal aad become invalid oa that date unless reaewed year and a 
licensee may not practice professional engineering with an expired license. The board 
shall notify every person licensed under this chapter of the date of the expiration of that 
person's license and the amount of the fee that is required for its renewal- for a 2 year 
period, except when the applicaat has become licensed dwing the first year of the 2 year 
period, thea the rene'llru fee is for the remaining one year of that 2 year period. The 
notice must be provided at least one month in advance of the date of the expiration of the 
license. Reaewal may be effected at aay time A license may be renewed after completion 
of coatiauing edacatioa professional development requirements and after receipt of notice 
by-the payment of a fee established by rule by the board, which may not exceed ~ 
$200 
annually. Licenses may be renewed up to 90 days after the date of expiration upon 
payment of a late fee ef.$1.Q. established by rule by the board in addition to the renewal 
fee. Any person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the 
license renewal date is subject to all-requirements governing new applicants under this 
chapter, except that if the renewal application is made within 3 years from the date of the 
expiration the board may in its discretion, giving due consideration to the protection of 
lIfe public, waive examination if the rene';val applieation is made 'l/ifJ'ifu 3 years from the 
date of the expiratioa any additional qualifications if the licensee has held a license for at 
least 10 years, has completed all professional development requirements and has never 
been subject to discipline in this or any other jurisdiction.' 
Amend the bill by adding before the summary the following: 
'Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment removes provisions in the bill that propose to allow an engineer 
whose license has expired to renew that license up to 5 years after the date of expiration 
and instead provides the board with the authority to waive additional qualifications upon 
renewal if the licensee meets specific criteria. 
The amendment replaces continuing 
education requirements with professional development requirements and increases the 
renewal fee cap from $50 to $200. It also adds an emergency preamble and emergency 
clause to the bill. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: OS/26/15 
.Mac::.. 
LD 1028 
LR913(02) 
An Act To Clarify Laws Concerning the Registration of Professional Engineers 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment A. {j/ -30 ~ 
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Potential current biennium revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Raising the fee that the Maine State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers, affiliated with the Department of 
Professional and Financial Regulation, may assess for license renewals from a maximum of $50 per year to a 
maximum of $200 per year may increase the amount of dedicated revenue received by the board from license renewal 
fees. The amount can not be determined at this time and will depend on actions taken by the board through the 
rulemaking process.