HBA-CMT H.B. 2337 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2337
By: Goolsby
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
3/16/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Landscape architects are regulated by the Texas Board of Architectural
Examiners (board) under a state title act.  Under current law, unqualified
individuals are prohibited from representing themselves as a landscape
architect, but they may perform some of the same work as a landscape
architect.  House Bill 2337 redefines the term "landscape architecture,"
specifies to whom the term does not apply, and sets forth provisions for
what design acts a landscape designer or nurseryman is authorized to
perform without a certificate of registration as a landscape architect
issued by the board. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2337 amends law to redefine the term "landscape architecture."
The bill also specifies the persons to whom the term "landscape
architecture" does not apply, and prohibits those persons from using the
term or otherwise representing themselves as landscape architects. 

The bill authorizes a landscape designer or nurseryman to prepare plans or
drawings as an adjunct to merchandising nursery stock and related
horticultural products, but does not authorize a landscape designer or
nurseryman to make any plant or revegetation plans, drawings, or
specifications for  property that is more than one-half acre in size, or
includes a pathway or vehicular circulation system accessible by the
public, and otherwise adversely affect the public's health, safety, and
welfare.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.