 Every day legislators and politicians are making decisions and are writing laws that affect our infrastructure, environment and the way we live. Many times these individuals are making decisions that are outside their area of expertise and rely on staff members, professional organizations and lobbyists to aid them in determining their position on issues. As members of the community and civil engineers we have the duty to be aware of current issues and to share our expertise and opinions with our elected and appointed officials to aid them in their work. As engineers we are problem solvers. In fact, we have been known to be so involved in our work solving problems that we do not have the time to follow the issues and get more involved in the community and our profession. This page has two purposes:
- It provides a location where Met Section members can obtain information on what's happening in government at the local, state and federal levels as related to the civil engineering profession.
- It provides information to aid you in providing your input to the people who are making laws and regulations that affect our lives and our profession.
If you would like to respond to your representatives regarding bills, appointments or current laws, please use these legislative/political links to find the representatives and or committees that should be contacted. Please forward copies of correspondence to us so we can drum up additional support.
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 Andrew Herrmann, P.E., F.ASCE returned to Washington D.C. on October 29, 2008 to provide testimony on behalf of ASCE to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure regarding the need for infrastructure funding that would be included in a new economic recovery and job creation package. A full copy of his written testimony is provided on the ASCE website. Last month, Herrmann also provided testimony on behalf of ASCE to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on bridge inspection and safety.
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On September 10, 2008, Andrew Herrmann, P.E., F.ASCE gave testimony in Washington D.C. before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works regarding bridge inspection and safety. Herrmann voiced ASCE's enthusiastic support for S. 3338, the National Highway System Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act. This legislation would provide dedicated funding to the states to repair, rehabilitate, and replace structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System. Additional details about the hearing and a full copy of written testimony are provided on the committee’s web site.
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 In April 2008, the New York City Council introduced an amendment to a long-standing requirement in the City Charter. The proposed legislation would eliminate the current requirement that the commissioner of the Department of Buildings (DOB) be a licensed professional engineer or a registered architect. On May 19, 2008, the Met Section sent a  letter to the New York City Council listing several points in opposition to that bill, which is designated as Intro. 775. In August 2008, an amended version of the draft bill was submitted to the City Council. The amended bill, Intro. 775A, requires that either the commissioner or the first deputy commissioner to be a licensed engineer or architect.
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 By:
Carol J. Patterson, Esq., Partner, Zetlin & De Chiara LLP
Tara B. Mulrooney, Esq., Senior Associate, Zetlin & De Chiara LLP
Eye On Albany
While the press often focuses on gridlock in Albany, engineers should be aware that a number of the bills introduced in the New York State Legislature this year could have a significant impact on the practice of engineering. This article summarizes the most noteworthy.
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Legislative 
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