“March”ing into Spring!!

My part of Central Florida is in “full spring mode” – the days are getting longer and warmer, trees are starting to bloom, and the Surveying & Mapping world is very busy! Hope all is well in your part of the world.

Our State legislators are in session, so FSMS has been keeping a close eye on filed bills that could impact our profession. Again this year, a bill was filed in the House (HB 821), together with a matching bill in the Senate (SB1132) to remove the 4 year degree requirement and roll back experience requirements for licensure as Surveyor & Mapper in the State of Florida. As a profession, our 4year degree requirement is vital to our professionalstatus, and supporting the professional, technical, and legal skills required of our profession. The current licensure requirements, including a 4 year degree, andat least 4 years surveying & mapping experience serves to protect the public, and maintain the high quality of Surveyors & Mappers that we have in the State of Florida.

Please reach out to your local State House and Senate members to oppose these bills, as they would degrade the skills of our profession.

Our 66th Annual FSMS Conference is ON SCHEDULE for July 28 – 31, at the Marriott Resort Sawgrass, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Last week Tom and I did a walk through the resort to finalize conference rooms, and layout. It is a BEAUTIFUL facility, and I am excited to see everyone “in person” again. Please make plans to attend the conference, to see old friends, make new friends, and see the newest surveying equipment in the exhibit hall!!