Senate Bill 677 Updated 5.1.2023

On Thursday, April 27th, Senate Bill 677 was heard in the Senate Rules Committee, where it received a favorable response.  On May 1st, at 7:00 pm, the full Senate went into session, and Senate Bill 677 went to the floor to be voted on and received a favorable and unanimous response. The bill will now crossover to the House for consideration. We will update you with further developments as we have them.

Senate Bill 677 Updated 4.27.2023

On April 27th, Senate Bill 677 went to the Senate Rules Committee and the Right of Entry proposal passed. We will update you with further developments as we have them.

 Senate Bill 677 Updated 4.26.2023

Senate Bill 677 had its first hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee today at 2:00pm. We are pleased to inform you that the licensing changes we opposed were removed. Co-Chair Senator Danny Britt signed the amended bill upon the request of bill sponsor Senator Steve Jarvis. We would also like to thank Senators Warren Daniel, Buck Newton, and all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Right of Entry proposal passed unanimously. 

The bill has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee. We will update you with further developments as we have them.

Senate Bill 677 Updated 4.11.2023

Update from the Executive Committee of NCSS regarding Senate Bill 677 
As most of you are aware by now, Senate Bill 677 (S677), which impacts surveyor licensure requirements, was filed on April 6^th (see timeline below). The Executive Committee met again this morning with all 3 registered lobbyists through McGuireWoods: Kerri Burke, Sarah DuBose, and Dylan Frick to further discuss strategy moving forward as we address these concerns.  We want to communicate openly with our membership so that you are assured that we are fervently working on your behalf. This demonstrates the need for professional associations and professional lobbyists. 

The Executive Committee has decided that the best strategy to prevent S677 from becoming law is to allow our lobbyists to use their expertise and contacts to address members of the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA). They have a clear picture of the dangers of this legislation to the public and to the small surveying businesses across NC. Your lobbyists will contact NCGA members as soon as they return from their spring recess on Monday, April 17th.

How You Can Help
We would like to give you the opportunity to help us compile thoughtful responses from surveyors across the state. Please take a few minutes to answer a brief survey (click here for survey). This way NCSS can hear your concerns and use your responses to help the members of the NCGA understand the repercussions of this bill should it pass. Please email your completed survey to info@ncsurveyors.com by Friday, April 14^th. (Fax 919.556.9888)

Right of Entry Legislation
Finally, many of you have questions about the right of entry portion of the bill.  Pursuing the right of entry was voted on two years ago by our Board of Directors who represent the nineteen Chapters. We have worked over the last 6 months building a coalition of support which includes Engineering companies, homebuilders, realtors, Duke Energy and NCRR. We would be the 34^th state to include right of entry wording. It was our understanding that the original wording proposed was to be placed in the NC Trespassing Statute. Senate Bill 677 changed that understanding placing that wording in GS 89C where the reduction of licensure was included. Please understand that Senators can file wording anytime and anywhere they desire. Just because we were pursuing a piece of legislation, doesn’t mean the reduction of licensure wouldn’t have come forward anyway. The Senate particularly is interested in removing “hurdles” for those groups who have trouble meeting the needs of our thriving economy. S677 is their answer.   

The Timeline of Events:

• March 28, 2023: Lobbyist, Kerri Burke notified Christy Davis that Senator Jarvis's office was considering adding wording to the right of entry legislation he agreed to sponsor. The Executive Committee was contacted that day for discussion.
• March 30, 2023: Meeting set for April 5, 2023 with Senator Jarvis, Andrew Ritter, NCBEES and David Lee, PLS; Tim Bowes, PLS; and lobbyists from McGuireWoods Consulting.
• April 5, 2023: Meeting with Senator Jarvis's office was positive and we all left believing that he would pull the wording.
• April 6, 2023: Bill was filed with Senator McInnis as co-sponsor. Emergency Meeting held at 3:00pm with Executive Committee. Emergency Board Meeting scheduled according to our bylaws with a 10-day notice for April 17, 2023.
• April 7, 2023: Christy Davis was in touch with National Society of Professional Surveyors and National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES).
• April 8, 2023: Email sent updating all NC PLSs assuring them that we are aware and working behind the scenes to address everyone's concerns.
• April 10, 2023: Second emergency meeting with Executive Committee and three lobbyists from McGuireWoods to determine the best strategy.
• April 11, 2023: Second email to update all NC PLSs asking for their assistance with feedback.