Sponsor Statement for SB 110

An Act Relating to Licensure of Landscape Architects

SB 110 proposes to amend AS 08.48.011(a) by adding landscape architects to the current State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors; landscape architects work professionally side by side with these other state registered design disciplines on a daily basis.

Although 45 states currently require such licensing, there are no licensure requirements in the State of Alaska. Similar to architects and engineers, landscape architects must attend accredited universities which are accredited by their national organization (American Society of Landscape Architects) which has rigid accreditation criteria.

Landscape architects provide for the design for improvements of major public facilities, in all types of site development, commercial development and housing. Licensed landscape architects require minimum standards for the protection of public health and safety in the design of playgrounds where safety of children must be guaranteed, the design of bike trails that recognize frozen soil considerations that meet codes for accessibility and safety, the design of landscapes along roadways where roadside safety of motorists must be assured in the advent of an accident and also the design of wetland treatments of storm water runoff.

In order for Alaskan landscape architects to secure federal projects, the state must provide landscape architect licensing capabilities. Alaskan landscape architects are currently excluded from participating in securing these federal jobs and these moneys are going to companies located outside of the state. SB 110 would level the playing field for Alaskans competing for federal work performed in this state, thus helping to ensure that moneys spent for design of Alaskan facilities will be utilized by businesses and professionals who reside in our state.

Licensing requirements would ensure that individuals providing these professional services are licensed by the State of Alaska and would give landscape architects their due recognition as qualified professionals for the design and development of the outdoor environment. By combining development projects with health, safety, and environmental design, landscape architecture is instrumental in eliminating the negative aspects of potential development projects.