ACEC Impact: A Trip to DC, Legislative Session Wrap-Up, and More

ACEC Impact: Your Monthly Roundup of ACEC Washington happenings

ACEC Goes to (the Other) Washington

The ACEC national annual convention was recently held in Washington D.C. from April 14 to April 18. ACEC Washington had an active role in the event - being led by Chair Kathy Cox-Czosnyka (Jacobs), Chair-Elect Dan Campbell (GeoEngineers), Vice-Chair Karen Doherty (HDR), and National Director David Winter (Hart Crowser).

The convention is comprised of two basic elements. The first occurs at the convention location and is comprised of the ACEC Board and Committee meetings as well as presentations on numerous topics and interests. A full compendium of the presentations can be downloaded at: ACEC National Convention Compendium . The second element involves becoming citizen lobbyists on Capitol Hill.

Over two days, our Washington group was able to meet with representatives from 9 of the 12 Washington State Congressional offices. The issues which were discussed with these offices involved: National Infrastructure , FAA Reauthorization , and Water Infrastructure . While these issues included assuring investment in each of these important infrastructure areas they also included making sure that engineering firms could utilize “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) .

One meeting was especially noteworthy and was with Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) particularly because of our fortuitous timing. We discovered that the FAA Reauthorization Bill (H.R. 4) was actually being “marked up” that very week and would potentially be voted on the following week. As has always been the case, Rep. Kilmer clearly grasped the importance of our issues and is a strong supporter of infrastructure investment. In fact, he indicated he was willing to help make changes to H.R. 4 to address expanded use of UAS by engineering firms and supporting a lifting of the cap currently in place on “Passenger Facility Charges (PFC).” We were able to make connections between his office and the ACEC National Government Affairs staff to facilitate these efforts.

ACEC Washington team with Rep.Derek Kilmer (WA-06). (L to R, Van Collins, Rep. Kilmer, Dan Campbell, Kathy Cox-Czosnyka, Karen Doherty

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Washington Legislature Wrap-Up

Last month the Washington State Legislature adjourned its 60-day session. The Architect and Engineers Legislative Council (AELC), recently held its Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast. Cliff Webster, long-time lobbyist for AELC presented the AELC 2018 Legislative Session Report. Key legislative wins included regulatory reform on proposed new rules at the Department of Ecology, the defeat of an anti-contracting out bill, and defeat of an increased B&O Tax. Click below for the full legislative session report.

Read the Report

Don't Forget: 2018 Member Certification Underway

Just a reminder, the 2018 Certification Form is due back to Linda Roux by Monday, April 30. This is an annual process for both ACEC National and ACEC Washington. Please return your forms soon. Thank you!

Affiliate Member Spotlight:

Hall & Company

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Our commitment is to serve our client’s best interest and to provide excellent customer service. We provide certificates on demand, a comprehensive library of loss prevention webinars, a pre-filed renewal application, all of the property casualty insurance coverages and transparency in our marketing and quoting process. Our focused expertise and commitment to service makes us the right insurance agent for Architects, Engineers and Environment Consultants.

We want to hear from you! Would you like to to see your firm highlighted? Do you have suggestions for seminar topics or ideas for events? Pressing legislative issues you'd like to see ACEC tackle? Let us know!