Beaverton yellow-light critic files free-speech lawsuit

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A Beaverton man who was investigated and fined by a state board for unlicensed practice of engineering has filed a lawsuit alleging the state’s definition of an engineer violates the First Amendment.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (https://is.gd/WBmq6f) Mats Jarlstrom was fined $500 after identifying himself as an engineer in emails he sent to Beaverton officials challenging Oregon’s timing of yellow traffic lights as too short.

The Beaverton man has joined the Institute for Justice to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against members of the state Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying.

Jarlstrom’s attorneys say the board’s attempt to keep people from calling themselves engineers if they’re not an Oregon-licensed professional engineer is a violation of their right to free speech.

A spokesman for the board declined to comment.