Committee hears bill to align Nebraska landscape-architect licensure with national standard

Senator Jane Raybould, senator for Legislative District 28, introduced LB696 to revise the Professional Landscape Architects Act and align Nebraska licensure with the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) uniform standard adopted in 2022.

The bill would adopt CLARB’s national licensure standard, remove an annual roster filing requirement, change the statutory term "certificate of registration" to "certificate of licensure," remove the term "cancellation" for license actions, and add a statutory definition of "direct supervision." "The act provides the licensure of professional landscape architects in Nebraska whose activities may affect the public health, safety, and welfare," testified Jennifer Seacrest, chairperson of the Nebraska State Board of Landscape Architects. She said LB696 would allow "improved mobility between jurisdictions and removes existing barriers."

Seacrest, a licensed landscape architect, told the committee the Professional Landscape Architects Act dates to 1987 and that the board supports the bill. She said there are "173 licensed landscape architects in Nebraska" and described CLARB certification as a mechanism that makes licensure transfers between jurisdictions easier. "The new standard allows for improved mobility between jurisdictions and removes existing barriers," she said. She also described the bill as "largely housekeeping in nature with the significant revisions allowing the board to align with our national CLARB standards."

Professional landscape architect Dennis Bridal testified in support and provided background on CLARB adoption across North America, listing jurisdictions that have adopted or are considering adoption. Other proponents described the distinction between landscape architects (who design and sign and seal drawings) and contractors who implement work in the field.

Committee discussion focused on the definition of "direct supervision" and how the change would be used. Senator John Kavanaugh asked where the new definition would apply; Seacrest said the board uses the concept in rules and regulations and acknowledged it may be appropriate to add the statutory definition elsewhere in the act. Committee members also asked whether Nebraska’s changes would function as reciprocity; proponents said CLARB certification and consistent standards make interstate licensing transfers easier but that licensure remains under state jurisdiction.

The introducer waived closing. For the hearing record the committee reported proponents 5, opponents 0, neutral 0. No committee vote on final passage was recorded during the hearing.

LB696 transcript excerpts and testimony covered the bill’s purpose, the board’s support, the proposed statutory edits, and questions about where the new definition would be used. The bill sponsor said she would follow up with staff if additional materials were requested.

Ending: The committee completed the hearing and moved to the next bill. No formal committee action to advance or defeat LB696 was taken on the record during this hearing.