HBA-CMT C.S.H.B. 2337 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 2337 By: Goolsby Licensing & Administrative Procedures 4/1/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) 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. C.S.H.B. 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 C.S.H.B. 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 landscape plans or drawings, but does not authorize a landscape contractor, landscape designer, or nurseryman to make any plant or revegetation plans, drawings, or specifications for property that is larger than one 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. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 2337 differs from the original bill by modifying the definition of "landscape architecture." The substitute adds a landscape contractor and persons primarily engaged in maintaining an existing landscape to the provision exempting certain persons from regulations for landscape architecture and removes persons licensed to practice irrigation from the exemption. The substitute modifies the size of land that a landscape contractor, landscape designer, or nurseryman is authorized to prepare landscape plans or drawings for from one-half acre to one acre.