The Wise Report Henry M. Wise, P.G. June 25, 2023 The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) has proposed two amendments and approved two others. Proposed amendment to 22 TAC 851.21; licensing requirements to reflect the changes in TBPG procedures due to the transition to computer based testing for the ASBOG Examinations.  For more information go to:  /archive/June232023/Proposed%20Rules/22.EXAMINING%20BOARDS.html#24. Proposed amendment to 22 TAC 851.22: Waivers and Substitutions: Policy, Procedures, and Criteria to edit, at Sunset Committee direction, language that applies to evaluating an applicant's "Good and ethical character" as a required qualifier for licensure.  For more information go to:  /archive/June232023/Proposed%20Rules/22.EXAMINING%20BOARDS.html#25. The current [...]

Regina M. Capuano, Ph. D., P.G., CPG, Chair of the AIPG Texas Section’s Scholarship Committee announced that the Gene M. Shoemaker Graduate Scholarship ($2,500.00) has been awarded for 2023 to the following student in Texas: Mr. Toluwaleke Ajayi, Department of Geosciences, Baylor University, Waco, Texas; Recommended by Joe C. Yelderman, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Geosciences Department, Baylor University, Waco; Presentation by James Henderson, Ph.D., P.G., CPG (District III – AIPG Texas Section), and Roger Lee, Ph.D., P.G., Councilor-at-Large, AIPG Texas Section) of the check for $2,500.00, the Shoemaker Plaque; plus a copy of the book, Shoemaker by Levy: The Man Who [...]

For those of you who haven't heard or received the announcement, over the past 8 months, Michael D. Campbell, P.G., P.H., CPG has been working on his memoirs. He said, "It's better now than never." Titled: “Anecdotes of a Lifetime: Memoirs of a Professional Geologist,” the book is now available. He said that his primary objective was to make a print and digital record for his grandchildren and their grandchildren of the life of their grandfather, his family, friends, and professional associates who lived in the mid-late 20th Century and worked well into the 21st Century as a Professional [...]

Dr. Jonathan Arthur, PG, has served as the Executive Director of the American Geosciences Institute since August 2021.  He served as the Director of the Florida Geological Survey from 2009-2021  emphasizing the need for student and professional courses and webinars on business strategy, fiscal planning, communications, applied geoscience, data access, innovation, and survey sustainability. He also serves on the Water Science Technology Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Dr. Arthur has served the geoscience community in leadership posts as President of the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) and President of the Florida Association of [...]

The Wise Report Henry M. Wise, P.G. April 30, 2023 The Texas Legislature is back in session through May 29, 2023.   I’m currently checking for bills of general interest to geologists in Texas and will be updating this list as things change.   New information is in bold. HB 57, by Zwiener,  Relating to climate change planning and reporting.  2/23/2023 Referred to Environmental Regulation.  For more information go to:  https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB57. HB 570, by Raymond,  Relating to a study by the Texas Division of Emergency Management of the potential effects of droughts and wildfires in this state. 4/28/2023 Reported engrossed.  For more information go to:  https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB570. [...]