TBPG | AIPG-TX

03 Mar, 2015

The Wise Report

The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (No new bills listed):

HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. 4/29/2015 Committee report sent to calendars. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB30

HB 163, by Larson and Workman, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. 4/202015 Senate received from the House. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB163

26 Dec, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments to clarify the definition of “Geoscience Firm” and remove the Geoscience Firm registration requirements currently applicable to a Professional Geoscientist who offers or performs non-exempt geoscience work for the public in Texas as a sole proprietor; remove the restriction that requires a new licensee to report to the TBPG within 60 days of becoming licensed the name of the firm or organization with which the licensee is employed if the employment includes the practice of geoscience; remove the registration and renewal fees for sole-proprietorships; and remove the restriction that a business entity, unless registered, may not represent to the public that it is engaged in the non-exempt public practice of geoscience by using the terms “geoscientist,” “geoscience,” “geoscience services,” “geoscience company,” or “geoscience, inc.” because usage of these terms does not require that a business entity be registered by the TBPG.

21 Dec, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

04 Oct, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ’s) publication “Natural Outlook” has an interesting article on the EPA’s proposed new ozone standards. It appears that the proposed ozone standard may actually increase the number of potential deaths in some areas, like Houston and Los Angeles. To read the entire article, go to: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/sip/eighthour.html

Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report

29 Sep, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

Just a reminder that the public comment period for current proposed changes to the Texas Professional Geoscientist rules ends on October 2, 2014. If you are interested in commenting, submit all comments in writing to Mr. Charles Horton, TBPG, P O Box 13225, Austin, Texas 78711, or by e-mail to chorton@tbpg.state.tx.us.

05 Jul, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) and the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in order to implement the requirements of Senate Bill 138.

The TBPG and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) recently adopted a revised Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), also to implement the requirements of Senate Bill 138.

18 May, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

Justin McNamee passed away on April 18, 2014. Mr McNamee was appointed by Governor Perry to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) to a six year term in a position reserved for the public (someone who is not a Licensed Geoscientist). Mr. McNamee was born on July 31, 1958 in Dallas, Texas. He attended and received his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Texas at Arlington. Mr. McNamee was a community leader who gave to the community his time to numerous charitable and civic groups.

Mr. McNamee is survived by his wife and his two children. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Justin Lynn McNamee Scholarship Fund benefiting the children and youth ministries at Highland Oaks Church of Christ, Highland Oaks Church of Christ, 10805 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75238.

16 Feb, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) General Issues Committee (Members are Krenz-Doe, Knobloch, Mathewson, and McNamee) met on February 14, 2014 in Austin. Matt Cowan, President of Texas Association of Professional Geoscientists, and myself, as President of American Institute of Professional Geologists – Texas Section, attended the meeting. The discussion I was most concerned about was the licensure of environmental professionals.

As it turns out, the agenda announcement wasn’t correct. There was no intent to discuss the licensure of environmental professionals but to discuss the boundaries of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ’s) Corrective Action Project Manager (CAPM) license. Dr. Mathewson teaches a TEEX class for CAPMs. A recent class had eight CAPMs in it. Only one of them was a Texas PG, the rest were biologists and chemists. One of the biologists had been fined by the TBPG for practicing geology without a license. I don’t have all of the facts, but, in a nutshell, he drilled a well and collected a water sample for analysis for micro-organisms. I don’t know if he described the drill cuttings or not, but, as a biologist, he was within his realm of expertise for the water sample’s purpose.

08 Feb, 2014

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) will hold several committee meetings on February 14, 2014 in Austin. The one I found may be of general interest is the General Issues Committee (Members are Krenz-Doe, Knobloch, Mathewson, and McNamee). They will be discussing, among other things, the licensure of environmental professionals. The meeting is open to the public, if you wish to attend, or you can send the members of the committee your thoughts on the subject.

Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report