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.