On Wednesday, February 15, 2017, the Alabama Section of ASCE held its 1st Annual ASCE Civil Engineer Legislative Day Drive-In at the Alabama State House. The event was attended by over 40 Civil Engineers from across the State of Alabama. The group included multiple Alabama Section Members, several County Engineers, Renee Casillas, Executive Director of American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Alabama, and additional representatives from other organizations that represent the Engineering Community.
Senator Clyde Chambliss, P.E. who represents Alabama Senate District 30 was the main speaker. Senator Chambliss gave the group an overview of the legislative process and how bills progress through the legislature. Also, Senator Chambliss discussed his Senate Bill 171 for Anti-Trust Immunity for the Board of Licensure for Engineers and Land Surveyors and Senate Bill 174 for Qualification Based Selection (QBS). Senator Chambliss stated that QBS is the most important issue he has seen in his 25 years of practice as a Civil Engineer. Other speakers included Senator Phil Williams of Senate District 10 (Cherokee, Dekalb, Etowah, and St. Clair Counties), Senator Trip Pittman of Senate District 32 (Baldwin Co.), Senator Gerald Dial of Senate District 13 (Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Lee and Randolph County), and Representative Joe Lovvorn of House District 79 (Lee County). Senator Dial gave the group a historical perspective of transportation funding and discussed the status of gas tax legislation for this session. The afternoon concluded with multiple Engineers meeting with individual legislators about issues affecting infrastructure and the Civil Engineering profession.
Photos from the Event