2005 session legislation

Healthy Forests Initiative

Through FSMS partnership, the UF IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation received over $600,000 in one-time funding, effective July 1, 2005.
Allows the Geomatics Program to fill an administrative position.
Anticipate receiving at least the same level of funding next year.

Law Effective July 1st

Chapter 472, F.S. (HB 1417)

Reduced the liability of surveyor-shareholders to be equal with other professionals
Closed a loophole in the four-year degree requirement that would have allowed two-year degree candidates to qualify for licensure. This eliminated a resulting seven-year statute of limitations for our work, rather than the two-year limit that applies to professions.
Addressed the concerns of the national photogrammetric community with the implementation of photogrammetric licensing. Resolution of this issue, avoided an unnecessary battle with members of our own profession.
Clarified the non-survey four-year degree requirements to allow candidates to take the necessary 25 credits of survey related courses after their degree.
Successfully fought-off attack from a GIS practitioner that would have deregulated photogrammetry and much of land surveying. He will be back next year and we need to prepare by funding PAC.

Law Effective July 1st

CCNA (Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act), Section 287.055, F.S. (SB 1784)

Closed a loophole that allowed agencies to contract with a group of consultants and then bid them against one another.
Clarified that negotiations must be carried out in good faith and that fixed-fee schedules and price ultimatums offered by agencies are not allowed.
Mandates that projects estimated to be under the CCNA threshold (typically $25,000) be re-advertised to follow CCNA if a majority of the fees quoted exceeded the threshold.