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Panel clears bill to align landscape‑architect licensure with national standards
Summary
The committee recommended Senate Bill 61 be given a do‑pass recommendation (9–0). The bill modifies experience and education pathways for landscape‑architect licensure to align New Mexico law with national uniform standards and expand pathways for candidates.
Senate Bill 61, which would align New Mexico’s Landscape Architects Act with uniform national standards by modifying experience and education pathways for licensure, received a 9–0 do‑pass recommendation from the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee.
Sponsor Senator Campos said the bill reduces barriers to licensure and brings New Mexico into parity with neighboring states. "This bill is really just a simple cleanup to help align our act here in New Mexico with uniform national standards," said Brian Verardo, a landscape architect who testified for the board. Christina Warenko of the New Mexico chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects told the committee the change is important in a state that has only one accredited landscape‑architecture program and will broaden the pipeline of qualified professionals for public improvement projects.
Witnesses said the bill preserves exam requirements while creating alternate qualifications for candidates who hold related degrees or who have practical experience acceptable to the board. Committee members asked practical questions about which degrees would count and how employers would document experience; witnesses said employers would supply affidavits confirming experience and that the board will adopt rules to govern acceptable pathways. The committee heard that New Mexico currently has a single accredited program (a master’s program at the University of New Mexico), and the bill will allow additional paths—such as related undergraduate degrees plus experience or an experience‑only pathway with reduced years—for licensure.
The committee approved the measure on a unanimous voice/roll call. Board and industry witnesses noted an operating‑budget impact for the regulation/licensing division that would require an appropriation if the bill becomes law.
Votes at a glance: Do‑pass recommendation recorded 9–0.
