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The NHSPE monitors the NH legislation for bills that are relevant to the Engineering Community.

Here is the list of bills we are currently tracking as of 05/14/08:
           

• NH HB 582
  HB 582, relative to a bridge over the Merrimack River, is left over from the 2007 session. In this bill, $7.1 million is appropriated for preliminary engineering over four years. The House voted INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
• NH HB 1202
  HB 1202 would subject privately-owned redistribution systems to certain provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The bill PASSED in the House. There is no status in the Senate yet.
• NH HB 1282
  In the state General Court, HB 1282 has been introduced to amend the pre-engineering technology curriculum in public schools to include grades 6 – 12, and not just high school. It strikes digital electronics and CIM from the minimum curriculum, while retaining all engineering topics. The bill PASSED the House and is now in the Senate Education Committee. There is no floor date on the docket at this time.
• NH HB 1295
  HB 1295 establishes a commission to study issues related to storm water. One of the members must be a representative of ACEC. The bill was PASSED in the House, and OUGHT TO PASS in the Senate. The floor date was 3/27/2008.
• NH HB 1626
  This is a new bill for a new bridge over the Merrimack River. In this bill, $9.75 million is proposed for engineering work. The bill was referred for interim study in the House.
• NH SB 383
  This bill establishes a commission to develop a plan for the expansion of transmission capacity in the north country, and to spend up to $200,000 for engineering and economic studies. The bill PASSED in the Senate, and is presently in the House Science, Technology, and Energy Committee. It is due out of committee on 5/8/2008.
• NH SB 459
  This bill establishes an Advanced Manufacturing Education Advisory Council. Among those on the council shall be the dean of the University of New Hampshire College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, or designee. The bill PASSED in the Senate and is due out of the House Education Committee by 5/8/2008.
• US HR 2067
  The Good Samaritan Protection for Construction, Architectural, and Engineering Volunteers Act remains alive but in the House Committee on the Judiciary. This bill is H.R. 2067, and there has been no action since 4/2007.
• US HR 3634
  Finally, the U.S. House introduced the STEP Act: The Strategic Technology/Engineering Program Act of 2007 last September. The bill would determine the eligibility of individuals for student loan forgiveness for PEs and engineering students to provide incentives to pursue engineering education. Presently, the bill is in the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness. There has been no action since 10/2007.