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Committee holds HB313 after extended debate over mandatory landscaper continuing education
Summary
Representative Arthur’s bill to require two of six biennial continuing-education hours for certain landscape contractors to cover water conservation and fire safety drew lengthy debate; an amendment to make the change less prescriptive failed 5–5 and the committee voted to hold the bill for further stakeholder work.
Representative Arthur presented House Bill 313, an amendment to landscaper certification rules that would require two hours of water-conservation and fire-safety training within the six hours of continuing education that some contractor licensees must complete every two years. The measure also adds the Utah Nursery and Landscape Association (UNLA) to a statutory list of approved continuing-education providers and directs the Division of Professional Licensing to define “landscape work.”
The item generated a robust discussion among committee members. Supporters argued that training in water-wise and fire-wise landscaping responds to Utah’s changing wildfire and drought conditions and would help contractors make safer recommendations to homeowners. Representative Arthur said the change is “not adding any more time,” but rather refocusing two of the existing six CE hours on those topics.
Opponents and some members warned the statutory prescription could displace other core safety or code training and prefer leaving curricular choices to the Division or to market-driven CE providers. Representative Thurston proposed an amendment to add UNLA to the approved-provider list while removing the prescriptive hour requirement; Representative Thurston said that approach would preserve flexibility. That amendment (Amendment 2) failed on a 5–5 tie after roll call.
Following debate and public comments by industry stakeholders (including the Utah Nursery and Landscape Association and the Associated General Contractors), Representative Wynne moved to hold the bill so sponsors and stakeholders can continue work; the committee agreed to hold HB313 for further stakeholder work.
The vote count on the amendment (5–5) and the decision to hold the bill were recorded in committee; sponsors said they would continue to refine the proposal with stakeholders.
