Email from Bob Nelesen to Representative Dakota Soda Opposing HB 4913 and HB 4914
Summary
An email sent October 28, 2025 by Bob Nelesen to Rep. Dakota Soda, with the subject Opposition to HB 4913 & HB 4914. The writer identifies as the Airport Engineer at Cherry Capital Airport and President of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE), and notes that the Economic Competitiveness Committee was to review the bills. The email states that HB 4913 would allow a path for apprenticeships to lead to licensure as an engineer, surveyor or architect, and argues that this jeopardizes public health, safety and welfare. It also states MSPE's opposition to eliminating the 2/3rds ownership requirement for design firms. The writer asks that both the writer's personal opposition and MSPE's be noted for the record.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Email from Bob Nelesen to Representative Dakota Soda Opposing HB 4913 and HB 4914.”
Original at www.house.mi.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/committee-735a286fbc82102e/
, SHA-256 efd7b54b72571e74176c21a17541cd576d5b56b81e75f1634dea8f97ccca6ddf.Full text
Dakota Soda From: Bob Nelesen <bob.nelesen@tvcairport.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 1:56 PM To: Dakota Soda Subject: Opposition to HB 4913 & HB 4914 Rep. Soda, | am both the Airport Engineer at the Cherry Capital Airport and the President of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE). MSPE is part of the Architects, Engineers and Surveyors Legislative Committee (AESLC). It has come to my attention that the Economic Competitiveness Committee will meet on Thursday to review HB 4913 & 4914. Please note for the record my personal and MSPE’s request to oppose these bills. HB 4913 would allow a path for apprenticeships to become a licensed engineer, surveyor, or architect. We believe this jeopardizes the public health, safety, and welfare of our residents. The idea of “experience only” allowing for licensure has been evaluated by many states, and all legislative direction has pushed for greater assurances for the public not less. The current system is a combination of rigorous education, experience, and testing that needs to remain. | have practiced civil engineering in many states over my 24+ year career. As one who is personally responsible for public health, safety, and welfare of critical infrastructure, this national standard needs to remain Michigan’s standard. Relatedly, MSPE wishes to express our desire to oppose the elimination of the 2/3rds ownership requirement for design firms. We are concerned that financial outcomes will take precedence over public health, safety, and welfare if firm majority ownership is not held by appropriately licensed professionals. Although improvements to language could be made for corporate firms, this legislation goes too far and has too many potentially negative far- reaching implications. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Bob Nelesen, PE | Airport Engineer Northwest Regional Airport Authority Cherry Capital Airport 727 Fly Don’t Drive Traverse City, MI 49686 231-947-2250 (>< Traverse City, MI Nee ee | CCherry Capital Airport -TVC
File and source
- File
- 2025-10-30_testimony_hb-4913-hb-4914-bob-nelesen-michigan-society-of-professional_59174.pdf
- Size
- 746,383 bytes
- SHA-256
- efd7b54b72571e74176c21a17541cd576d5b56b81e75f1634dea8f97ccca6ddf
- Original
- www.house.mi.gov