Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
Board of Professional Engineers
RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
61G15-23.003: Procedures for Signing and Sealing Electronically Transmitted Plans, Specifications, Reports or Other Documents
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to add new language to update and clarify procedures for signing and sealing electronically transmitted plans, specifications, reports or other documents.
SUMMARY: The rule amendment will add new language to update and clarify procedures for signing and sealing electronically transmitted plans, specifications, reports or other documents.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 471.025(1), 668.006 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 471.025 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Zana Raybon, Executive Director, Board of Professional Engineers, 2639 North Monroe Street, Suite B-112, Tallahassee, Florida 32303

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

61G15-23.003 Procedures for Signing and Sealing Electronically Transmitted Plans, Specifications, Reports or Other Documents.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) A professional engineer signing and sealing a document in electronic form that contains multiple plan sheets or pages may apply a single digital signature as set out in Rule 61G15-23.003 subsection (2), F.A.C. or an electronic signature set forth in subsection (3). A single signature applied to a document in electronic form shall have the same force and effect as signing all of the individual sheets or pages in the set contained in said document unless otherwise limited by elements of the project for which the engineer does not intend to accept responsibility by use of qualifying language, as set out in subsection 61G15-30.003(3), F.A.C. In the case where multiple engineers of record are to sign and seal a single document file, each shall apply their digital or electronic signature and include qualifying language in said signature, or in the text of the document thoroughly describing what portions they take responsibility for.

Rulemaking Authority 471.025(1), 668.006 FS. Law Implemented 471.025 FS. History–New 8-18-98, Amended 9-4-05, 5-6-09, 1-5-12,________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 11, 2012
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: May 18, 2012