Greetings ACEC OKLAHOMA members! It is hard to believe we have just completed the first quarter of 2023. The big news recently is the Oklahoma Legislature has reached the mid-point of the 2023 session with nine weeks remaining. Last week was the deadline for bills to advance from the chamber of origin. Of the 3,079 bills and joint resolutions filed this year, 865 remain alive. 462 House bills, two House joint resolutions, and 401 Senate bills survived the deadline. Just over 90 bills assigned to the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget remain alive.
Last Friday, Gov. Stitt commented on the grocery and income tax cuts, school choice funding, and workforce development. "Those three things are my priorities, and they're all still alive, and I'm confident that we're gonna get that across the finish line," Stitt said. We are monitoring a handful of bills about OTA including HB 2263 (changing the appointments to the OTA Commission) and some of our members are supporting SB 497 for 811 dig.
The Association of County Commissioners ran an op-ed about QBS on page 7. A special Thank you to Rebecca Alverez for connecting us with ACCO and helping to get the word out about QBS.
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ACEC OK Board Position Available!
If you or someone within your firm have an interest in serving on ACEC OKLAHOMA's Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee is accepting submissions. Please Email us here by April 19th if you are interested.
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Join us for our April Quarterly Membership Meeting
We will host our quarterly board meeting at the Oklahoma Homebuilders Association (3520 N Lincoln Blvd) at 12:00 on April 20. Our good friend Representative Nicole Miller, the Chair of the House Appropriations Transportation Committee, will be our featured speaker! Rep. Miller has been a strong supporter of our industry.
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ODOT DBE Conference
ODOT is hosting their annual DBE conference on 4/27 at the postal training center from 8-3pm with registration taking place from 8-9 AM. ODOT has created a networking opportunity/breakout session for our members. If you are interested in attending, you may contact Jennifer Hankins here.
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ACEC Midwest States Conference: Information!
ACEC OKLAHOMA, Missouri and Kansas will host our annual Midwest States Conference June 7-9 in Springfield Missouri. Registration is $575 for members and $300 for spouses.
You can view the agenda or register for the conference here. The deadline to register is May 17. Room reservations may be made here and the registration deadline is May 22.
What: ACEC Midwest States Conference
Where: Double Tree by Hilton Springfield, MO
When: June 7-9
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2023 Leadership for Engineers
Sessions will take place on the following dates:
- Aug 21-22 Tulsa
- Sep 14-15 Stillwater
- Oct 5-6 OKC
We have already had multiple registrants. Act fast to reserve one of the 18 spots for 2023!
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2023 ACEC National Convention & Legislative Summit
Registration is now open for ACEC's National Convention! The convention will take place June 11-14 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C.
Early bird registration closes April 16 and provides a significant discount. To view rates, please click here.
Last year we had a great showing and were able to visit each of our federal delegation, and a good time was had by all! Let us know if you plan to attend this year. We look forward to seeing you.
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ICYMI: Brandon Claborn on ACEC Coalitions Podcast
ACEC national members are eligible to join the specialty groups known as ACEC Coalitions — dedicated communities of ACEC members organized by practice area or firm size. The coalitions provide a range of practical, day-to-day resources to enhance the operation of your business and make it more profitable by sharing knowledge and best practices with peers in your area of specialization.
Meshek & Associate's Brandon Claborn, Chair of the Small Firm Coalition, joined the podcast at the 2022 Fall Conference to talk about his journey as a Small Firm Coalition member, retaining talent, tailored educational opportunities, networking, and more.
If you're a member of the Business Insurance Trust, they will cover the cost to join the Small Firm Coalition. To listen to Brandon and many other resourceful subjects click here: ACEC Coalitions Podcasts
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National QBS Awards Call for Entries
Every year, ACEC and NSPE partner to administer the QBS Awards, recognizing public and private entities and/or individuals making exemplary use of the Qualifications-Based Selection process at the federal, state and local levels. QBS Award winners serve as examples of how well the QBS process works, and they help ACEC and NSPE promote the practice of QBS in jurisdictions that do not use, or underuse, QBS to procure engineering services.
ACEC and NSPE are now seeking nominations for the 2023 QBS Awards. The deadline for nominations is COB Monday, May 1, 2023.
Three QBS Awards
A maximum of one QBS Award may be presented in each of the following categories:
· Federal Government Sector
· State Government Sector (includes all governmental units under the state level)
· Nongovernment Sector
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Your PAC Dollars at Work!
Don't forget, we have a state and national pac goal we must meet! We have had extra involvement from ACEC National related to in-state PAC giving and more. This is a product of the excellent dedication and generosity of our members.
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Upcoming Events
April 20, 2023
Board and General Membership Meeting
General Membership Meeting 12:15 PM
Oklahoma Homebuilders Association
3520 N Lincoln Blvd OKC 73105
June 7-9, 2023
Midstates Conference
Double Tree by Hilton Springfield, MO
June 11-14, 2023
ANNUAL MEETING
Washington DC
Register Now!
Aug 24-25
Leadership for Engineers Session One
Tulsa, OK TBD
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Mike Thompson
President & CEO
220 N.E. 28th Street, Suite 135
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
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Phone: (405) 525-7696
Fax: (405) 557-1820
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