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quotes during the meeting sessions was that our goal of the Congress resolution and obtained sponsorship from
week should be to take our passion in any subject area – grasp Representative John Joyce of Pennsylvania to express that
it and grow it. Participation is key in achieving that goal. the continuation of licensure for the design professions
The culmination of the Student Competition was our luncheon is in the best interest of public health, safety and welfare.
held on Wednesday. As mentioned above, it was an overflow Our task was to explain the important role of surveyors,
crowd and the energy was electrifying as we all eagerly awaited engineers and architects in protecting the health, safety and
the announcement of the top schools in the competition. welfare of the general public. We sought co-sponsors from
Alfred was very competitive this year and I am sure they will the House and tried to enlist a sponsor from the Senate.
expand on their experience. The student competition provides While there was positive feedback from the legislative
a wonderful opportunity for students to network with each aides, I am not sure we secured any commitments. (See
other as well as land surveyors from throughout the country, resolution on page 16)
learn a little history, test their surveying trivia knowledge, • TAP – Transition Assistance Program: NSPS is requesting
and generally have a great time while being immersed in their a legislative provision in the 2025 National Defense
chosen profession. The Young Surveyors have done an excellent Authorization Act (NDAA) that would authorize a
job getting us there. pilot program in the Department of Defense Transition
Assistance program to help members of the Armed
Day on the Hill Services with relevant skill sets in military surveying and

I arrived in DC on Monday evening in time for the logistics mapping to transition into the civilian sector surveying
meeting in preparation for our Day on the Hill Tuesday. The profession as the next step in their career. This proposal
Day on the Hill is an opportunity for us to meet with our was met with varied opinions. While some legislators
legislative representatives where they work as opposed to in were supportive, others felt this was not the appropriate
their home District. Our NSPS meeting was held during a path to follow and other options were better suited to
break in the legislative session this year, but the Senate was assist military service members with transitioning into
being held over for the delayed vote on the budget. It was very civilian careers. NSPS will continue to work to find the
interesting watching speakers on the floor of the Senate from best options for promoting land surveying and educating
the monitors available in every legislative waiting room. Three our military brothers and sisters to the employment
bills were targeted for discussion with the legislative aides: opportunities available in the field.
Licensure, TAP and Monument Preservation. A summary of • Monument Preservation: As our country seems to be
each bill is provided below: faced with more natural disasters every year, from floods
• Licensure: All 50 States and territories license surveyors, to wildfires, hurricanes and tornados, it is becoming
with licensing of the profession beginning in 1891 in increasingly important to recognize the need to preserve
California. New York was one of the earliest States to property corner evidence and other boundary markers.
require licensure in 1920, the same year NCEES was Ensuring that boundaries and corners are protected
created. There is a current move underway in many allows landowners and agencies affected by natural
parts of the country to de-license many occupations as disasters to rebuild more quickly and in the correct
it is estimated as much as 25% of the U.S. work-force location. NSPS is urging Congress to include a provision
is subject to licensure. NSPS has drafted a Sense of in disaster and response legislation ensuring that survey
mark reestablishment and preservation by professional
surveyors be included in both pre-cleanup discussions
as well as access to recovery and disaster relief assistance
programs so reimbursement eligibility is available to those
in need.

With over 60 participants from approximately 40 states, we had
a great Day on the Hill and enjoyed sharing our experiences
at an evening debriefing to discuss our next steps. We were
reminded that it is important to bring the issues home and
visit our representatives in their New York offices, just as we
currently do by visiting our State representatives in Albany
and in their home offices. The legislative aides in the different
Student Competition participants utilizing 19th Century continued on page 15
Surveying Equipment
EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 60 • NO 4 2024 • JULY/AUGUST 13