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Amend SB 277 by adding four new SECTIONS, appropriately 
numbered, to read as follows:
	SECTION _____. Subsection (e), Section 1001.004, Occupations 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(e) This chapter does not:                                                     
		(1) prevent a person from identifying the person in the 
name and trade of any engineers' labor organization with which the 
person is affiliated;
		(2) prohibit or otherwise restrict a person from giving 
testimony or preparing an exhibit or document for the sole purpose 
of being placed in evidence before an administrative or judicial 
tribunal, subject to the board's disciplinary powers under 
Subchapter J regarding negligence, incompetency, or misconduct in 
the practice of engineering;
		(3) repeal or amend a law affecting or regulating a 
licensed state land surveyor; or
		(4) affect or prevent the practice of any other legally 
recognized profession by a member of the profession who is licensed 
by the state or under the state's authority.
	SECTION _____. Section 1001.402, Occupations Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 1001.402. ENFORCEMENT BY CERTAIN PUBLIC OFFICIALS. A 
public official of the state or of a political subdivision of the 
state who is responsible for enforcing laws that affect the 
practice of engineering may accept a plan, specification, or other 
related document that requires the application of engineering 
judgment only if the plan, specification, or other document was 
prepared by an engineer, as evidenced by the engineer's seal.
	SECTION _____. Section 1001.053, Occupations Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 1001.053. PUBLIC WORKS. The following work is exempt 
from this chapter: 
		(1) a public work that involves structural, electrical, 
or mechanical engineering, if the contemplated expense for the 
completed project is $8,000 or less; or
		(2) a public work that does not involve structural, 
electrical, or mechanical engineering, if the contemplated expense 
for the completed project is $20,000 or less [; or]
		[(3) road maintenance or improvement undertaken by the 
commissioners court of a county].
	SECTION _____. Chapter 1001, Occupations Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter M to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER M. ADVISORY OPINIONS
	Sec. 1001.601. BOARD ADVISORY OPINIONS. (a) On its own 
initiative or at the request of any interested person, the board 
shall prepare a written advisory opinion about an interpretation of 
this chapter or the application of this chapter to a person in 
regard to a specified existing or hypothetical factual situation.  
The board shall respond to requests for opinions within 180 days or 
affirmatively state its reason for not responding to the request.
	Sec. 1001.603. MAINTENANCE OF OPINIONS; SUMMARY. The board 
shall:     
		(1) number and classify each advisory opinion issued 
under this subchapter; and
		(2) annually compile a summary of the opinions in a 
single reference document that is available on the internet.
	Sec. 1001.604. ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINIONS. The authority of 
the board to issue an advisory opinion under this subchapter does 
not affect the authority of the attorney general to issue an opinion 
as authorized by law.
	Sec. 1001.605. RELIANCE ON ADVISORY OPINION. It is a defense 
to prosecution or to imposition of a civil penalty that a person 
reasonably relied on a written advisory opinion of the board 
relating to:
		(1) the provision of the law the person is alleged to 
have violated; or
		(2) a fact situation that is substantially similar to 
the fact situation in which the person is involved.
	SECTION _____. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this 
section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
	(b) The Texas Board of Professional Engineers is not required 
to issue an advisory opinion under Subchapter M, Chapter 1001, 
Occupations Code, as added by this Act, before January 1, 2004.