Regulated Professions and Occupations

SB 1050 by Senator Brandes; HB 1187 by Representative Grant

These bills are intended to reduce and streamline regulations for regulated professions. As it pertains to landscape architects, they eliminate the need to pay a fee and receive a certificate of authorization for corporations. This will save firms money. However, they do not eliminate or reduce any of the substantive requirements for corporations in the practice act. Additionally, they deregulate the installation of low-voltage lighting, which currently requires a specialty certification to install.

There are no adverse impacts to landscape architects currently in the bill. Architects and interior designers initially expressed some concerns about the provisions in the bill that pertain to their professions. However, they have worked with DBPR on amendments to address their concerns. The geologists are actively opposed to the bill.

Both bills were heard in their first committees of reference this week. The House bill remains the same; however, the Senate bill was amended in committee to remove the geologists. DBPR is trying to work with the geologists in an effort to resolve their concerns.

There has been no attempt to address traffic engineering or stormwater in this legislation to date. However,the FLASLA lobbyist hasalerted both sponsors and DBPR that amendments on either issue are anti-competitive and would be highly controversial.We have been assured that everyone is working to keep this bill non-controversial, the intent is for the bill to be business-friendly, and any such proposed amendments would not be accepted by the sponsors.

Both bills have two committees remaining.

For more information, please contact govtaffairscommittee@flasla.org

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