FLASLA 2015 Week 6 Legislative Report

Public Private Partnerships

There was no action on these bills this week. SB 824 by Senator Evers has been corrected to include landscape architects in the CCNA portion of the bill. HB 63 has not received a hearing in its last committee. It does not yet include any CCNA language, but it will be amended with the compromise language if and when it does receive a hearing.

CCNA

The American Water Works Association has agreed to stand down on its continuing contracts language for this session. They want to work on the issue over the summer and achieve consensus among the design professional trade associations for next session. The geologists would also like to amend the CCNA to include geologists as providers of professional services.

Water and Environmental Resources Legislation

Water Legislation

SB 918 by the Senator Dean; HB 7003 by the State Affairs Committee and Representative Caldwell

SB 918 passed the General Government Appropriations Subcommittee this week. It was significantly amended. It now provides a greater role for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the water management districts in terms of managing water resources, and less of a mandate for local governments. It also now includes an advisory council within the DEP to review water projects and make recommendations to the Legislature for funding these projects – which have come under criticism in recent years for being funded based on politics rather than need. Additionally, an amendment was adopted that requires the water management districts to create pilot projects that would then receive priority in funding. There was a lengthy delete all amendment and several amendments to that amendment. The GAC will receive the Committee Substitute as soon as it is released, as well as an updated staff analysis, to make it easier to review the new work product. Based on committee testimony, it seems that the bill is less controversial than it was in previous versions.

State Lands

HB 7135 by the House State Affairs Committee and Representative Caldwell; SB 7086 by the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee

These bills require local governments to provide information regarding local land acquisitions and easements so that the state can complete an inventory of publicly owned lands. They also allow for low-impact agriculture under certain circumstances. HB 7135 passed its last committee this week. It has been amended to address concerns raised by environmental advocates. SB 7086 was submitted as a committee bill this week and will now receive committee references.

Other Legislation

Engineers

HB 217 by Representative Van Zant; SB 338 by Senator Altman

These bills create a structural engineer designation. They do not appear to be problematic to landscape architects but will be watched closely. HB 217 passed the House this week. SB 338 passed its last committee this week.

2015 Session Dates

May 1, 2015 Last Day of Legislative Session

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