Board of Professional Geoscientists public meetings in 2020

Board of Professional Geoscientists

The Compliance Committee is meeting to review final drafts of seal guidance and rules, as well as standard operating procedures for continuing education and enforcement. The committee will also review the list of auditees for 2021.

• Review of final draft for seal guidance and rules
• Discussion on website placement for seal guidance
• Review of Continuing Education Review SOP document
• Review of Enforcement SOP document
• Review of the 2021 auditee list

Board of Professional Geoscientists

The Board will review minutes from the September 2020 meeting and receive the Treasurer's Report. Standing committees will provide updates on license applications, examination reports, and compliance enforcement guidelines.

• Recommendation of candidates for licensure
• Review of Rule 707.D.1 regarding licensure waivers
• Report on ASBOG testing held October 2, 2020
• Discussion of staff reappointment and a proposed new part-time position
• Update on Dovetail Digital contract work

The Board approved the creation of a part-time project coordinator position to assist committees. Members also adopted new standard operating procedures for complaint enforcement and continuing education audits.

• Approved minutes of September 15, 2020 meeting
• Accepted treasurer's report for September and October
• Approved one license application and three ASBOG exam applications
• Approved Complaint and Enforcement SOP document
• Approved continuing education audit SOP document
• Approved creation of part-time project coordinator position ($15-$20/hr)
• Tabled reciprocity waiver request for Marcus Guidry pending more information

Board of Professional Geoscientists

The Louisiana Board of Professional Geoscientists will hold a regular meeting to vote on license candidates, approve minutes, and receive the treasurer's report. Committee updates include the ASBOG exam scheduled for October 2, 2020, and discussions on compliance audits, seal guidance, and outreach. The board will also consider a request to pay legal counsel's registration fee for a virtual regulatory seminar.

• Vote on candidates for professional geoscientist license (Motion required)
• Treasurer's report and approval of July 14, 2020 minutes (Motion required)
• Update on ASBOG licensing exam scheduled for October 2, 2020
• Draft seal use guidance document and electronic seals (Motion possible)
• Request to pay legal counsel's registration fee for virtual regulatory law seminar (October 1–3, 2020)

The Board adopted a seal guidance document allowing the use of electronic seals and approved two license applications. Members elected their 2020-2021 officers and authorized the executive secretary to operate with greater administrative authority. The board also approved the purchase of virtual meeting equipment and a registration fee for legal counsel to attend a regulatory seminar.

• Approved July 14, 2020 meeting minutes
• Accepted treasurer's report for July and August
• Approved two license applications for approval
• Adopted seal guidance document and electronic seal use description
• Approved plan to host ethics video and form on website
• Authorized Brenda Macon to operate as executive secretary with full scope of authority
• Approved purchase of laptop, web camera, and virtual meeting equipment
• Elected 2020-2021 officers: William Finley (Chair), Todd Perry (Vice-Chair), Melanie Stiegler (Secretary), William Schramm (Treasurer)

Board of Professional Geoscientists

The Board will review license candidate recommendations and committee reports regarding application reviews, examinations, and compliance. Discussions include potential research into an online ethics course and updates on office contracts.

• Review and approval of May 12, 2020, meeting minutes
• Recommendation of candidates for license and testing
• Update on electronic seals
• Research on feasibility and costs for an online ethics course
• Discussion regarding HCR 71

The Board of Professional Geoscientists approved moving funds to Capital One to improve banking services and authorized investigating online deposit changes. The board also approved several license applications and reviewed the fiscal year-end budget report.

• Approved May 12, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved fiscal year-end budget report
• Authorized transferring $100,000 to checking and $50,000 to savings at Capital One
• Authorized investigation into switching online deposits from the credit union to Capital One
• Approved two license applications and six examination candidate applications
• Authorized staff to continue annual $1,000 postage meter recharge policy
• Agreed to use a question-based method to verify participation in online ethics courses

Board of Professional Geoscientists

The Board will review applications for membership and approve previous meeting minutes. The agenda includes discussions on the final budget for the upcoming fiscal year and potential research into an online ethics course.

• Report on David Frey’s application for Board Membership
• Final budget for July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021
• Research authorization for a new online ethics course
• Discussion of board authority regarding an Attorney General opinion
• Review of 2020 audit updates and continuing education opportunities

The Board of Professional Geoscientists approved using legal counsel for opinions after the Department of Justice declined to issue an opinion due to a conflict of interest. The Board also denied a request for permanent exemption from continuing education requirements and approved a regulatory clarification response.

• Approved March 10, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted Treasurer’s report (passed)
• Approved using legal counsel to provide opinions instead of seeking Attorney General opinions (unanimous)
• Denied request for permanent exemption from continuing education requirements (unanimous)
• Approved Chair Finley's response to a regulatory clarification request (unanimous)

Board of Professional Geoscientists

This is a regular meeting of the Louisiana Board of Professional Geoscientists. The board will review and approve minutes, receive committee reports including application review and license exam updates, and discuss the board's authority per an AG opinion. New business includes a proposed budget for July 2020–June 2021, a contract with the Department of Justice for legal services, and discussion of staff salaries. The board will also consider licensing questions from a New York geologist and about online geoscience programs.

• Discussion of board's authority (AG opinion)
• Budget for July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021
• Contract with Department of Justice for legal services
• Discussion of staff salaries and possible increases
• Consideration of licensing questions (New York geologist and online program accreditation)

The Board of Professional Geoscientists approved the 2020-2021 proposed budget, which includes a salary increase for the assistant executive secretary. The board also approved contracts for legal services from the Louisiana Department of Justice and accounting services from L.A. Champagne & Company LLC.

• Approved January 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted proposed 2020-2021 budget with salary increases
• Approved recommendation to approve one PG license applicant
• Accepted treasurer's report (unanimous)
• Approved DOJ legal services contract with stipulated changes
• Approved L.A. Champagne & Company LLC accounting contract
• Approved renewal of FARB membership
• Approved 4% salary increase for Executive Secretary Macon

Board of Professional Geoscientists

The Louisiana Board of Professional Geoscientists will discuss introducing new legislation to authorize monetary penalties for offenses by licensees. The board will also review committee reports on application review, license examination updates, and compliance audits. A discussion on the board's authority based on an Attorney General opinion is scheduled, along with office operations and salary guidance.

• Discussion of new legislation to authorize monetary penalties for licensee offenses
• Review of board's authority based on Attorney General opinion
• Update on March 2020 ASBOG examinations and candidate questions
• Compliance audit updates and new round of audits
• Request for guidance on salaries, including renewal of McCreary's contract

The Board approved multiple applications for full licenses, GIT certifications, and ASBOG exams. It also approved a 2% pay increase for Assistant Executive Secretary Chantel McCreary. The board reached a consensus that candidates may take the ASBOG Practice of Geology exam before completing five years of work experience, though licensure requires the full five years.

• Approved minutes of November 12, 2019 meeting (unanimous)
• Approved 2% pay raise for Chantel McCreary (unanimous)
• Approved 5 full license applications
• Approved 6 GIT certification applications
• Approved 6 applications for ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology exam
• Approved 5 applications for ASBOG Practice of Geology exam
• Decided international transcripts must be evaluated by a third-party service
• Consensus: ASBOG Practice of Geology exam can be taken prior to completing 5-year work experience requirement