March 22, 2025
Inside This Issue
TOP NEWS
Breaking News: US DOT Orders Removal of Green Infrastructure and Bicycle Projects – Take Action Now!
GA at LABASH Conference
New Advocacy Leave Behind
Addressing the Cost of Licensure
NEWS
2025 State Legislative Session
State Advocacy Days
Protecting Design Freedom
Federal Project Funding Freeze Update
Outreach and Partnerships
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
State Board Vacancies
 2023 ASLA Professional Honor Award in Urban Design. Town Branch Commons: An Urban Transformation in Lexington, Kentucky. Lexington, Kentucky, United States. SCAPE. Client: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG). Image Credit: SCAPE and Ty Cole. |
TOP NEWS
Breaking News: US DOT Orders Removal of Green Infrastructure and Bicycle Projects
Recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) issued a memo calling for the removal of green infrastructure and bicycle projects from federal grants. We need every ASLA advocate to TAKE ACTION to push back on these attacks. Please take a moment to sign the letter to US DOT Secretary Sean Duffy to highlight how bicycle and green infrastructure projects improve mobility, public health, and economic growth—and how landscape architects are leading the way in their design. If this directive stands, communities across the country will lose essential infrastructure that enhances public health, safety, and economic opportunity.
ASLA Government Affairs Team at LABASH
Government Affairs team members Bradley Rawls and Jeremy Margolies represented the department at LABASH. Rawls co-presented a session with CLARB that highlighted the importance of pursuing licensure for young and emerging professionals. Margolies connected with the attendees and promoted their participation in advocacy and iAdvocate.
New Advocacy Leave Behind
ASLA has developed a new leave behind – “Landscape Architects Design Healthy, Safe, Resilient Communities.” Advocates may use this document as a tool to help educate policy makers about landscape architects and the many types of community infrastructure the profession designs. ASLA members are encouraged to use this resource for meetings with policy makers, clients, and other stakeholders.
Addressing the Cost of Licensure
Bipartisan legislation to help reduce licensure costs has been reintroduced in Congress. The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce (H.R. 1151, S. 756) has been introduced in both the House and Senate. These measures would expand eligible expenses under 529 savings plans to cover costs associated with workforce training and credentialing programs, including government-issued licenses like landscape architecture licenses. ASLA members are encouraged to Take Action by urging their congresspersons to support this measure.
.jpg) 2021 ASLA Professional Honor Award in General Design. Duke University Water Reclamation Pond. Durham, North Carolina, United States. Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects
Client: Duke University. Image Credit: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects. |
NEWS
2025 State Legislative Session
As of March 14, forty-six states are convened for regular legislative session. We are currently tracking over 60 legislative proposals. Members and chapters can track occupational licensure bills and legislation specific to the profession on the ALSA website. Over the last month, the State Government Affairs team has worked closely with several chapters to address legislative proposals related to licensure and small business issues:
Adoption of the Uniform Standard: The team has worked with the Georgia Chapter, Hawaii Chapter, Nebraska Chapter, and New Mexico Chapter on Uniform Licensure Standard for Landscape Architecture “Uniform Standard” legislation. The team also met with the South Caroline Chapter to begin discussions on adopting the Uniform Standard.
Licensure Reform/Deregulation: The team has also had discussions with the Louisiana, Florida, and Michigan chapters to discuss response strategies on Executive Office efforts for regulation reduction and “Cutting Red Tape” recommendations.
Small Business Legislation: The team assisted the Potomac Chapter in meeting with DC City Councilmember Mendelson to discuss the budgetary fiscal note discrepancy that was attached to the approved legislation, DC Bill B25-0277, signed into law last year. The team also worked with the Maryland Chapter to issue an iAdvocate alert in opposition to HB 1554 and SB 1045, companion bills that would create a tax on various professional services.
State Advocacy Days
As of mid-March, the State Government Affairs team has been informed that 15 State Advocacy Days, consisting of 17 Chapters, have been scheduled for 2025. The State GA team can provide Chapters assistance to successfully implement these advocacy initiatives. If your chapter is planning a state advocacy day, please let us know at governmentaffairs@asla.org.
Protecting Design Freedom
In response to a recent executive order Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture that calls for prioritizing classical architecture in federal buildings, ASLA has urged the General Services Administration (GSA) to support the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, which seek to ensure that public buildings represent the interests and aspirations of the American people, while creating high-quality, well-designed projects.
 2024 ASLA Professional Honor Award in Urban Design. The Wharf’s 7th Street Park and Recreation Pier. Washington, District of Columbia, United States. Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, Ltd. Client: Hoffman & Associates. Image Credit: Nic Lehoux. |
Federal Project Funding Freeze Update
On January 20, the Trump administration released executive order - Unleashing American Energy, which states “All agencies shall immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Public Law 117-58). After consulting with legal experts, ASLA has provided guidance and best practices for members impacted by the funding freeze. ASLA has also sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to take action to restore the congressionally approved funding.
Outreach and Partnerships
In March, a representative from the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing gave a presentation at the Board of Trustees townhall meeting. The presentation highlighted the recent ARPL report Boards That Work, which provides clear principles for policymakers considering changes to licensing board structure and operations.
ASLA continues to be an active member of several coalitions including the Land and Water Conservation Fund; National Complete Streets; Transportation For America Federal Strategies; Outdoor Alliance for Kids; and the Resilience coalitions. Recently, ASLA has joined with transportation organizations in sending a letter to congressional leadership urging them to take action to ensure that fiscal year 2025 transportation projects are fully funded. ASLA also joined with partner organizations in supporting Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act.
 2022 ASLA Professional Honor Award in General Design. Riverfront Spokane. Spokane, Washington, United States. Berger Partnership. Client: Spokane Parks and Recreation. Image Credit: Built Work Photography. |
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
State Board Vacancies
Connecticut
Public Member (2) – Contact the Department of Consumer Protection, dcp.occupationalprofessional@ct.gov, for more information.
Delaware
Professional Member (1) - Information to serve on the board is provided by the Division of Professional Regulation.
Florida
Professional Member (5) & Public Member (2) - Information on the application process is available here.
Iowa
Professional Member (1) - Interested in applying to become a part of the board? Submit an application here.
Nebraska
Professional Member (2) - Anyone licensed and living in Nebraska can apply online at Boards & Commissions | Office of Governor Jim Pillen.
New Hampshire
Public Member (1) and Professional Member (1) - If you're interested, please fill out the online form found here.
New Jersey
Professional Member (2) & Public Member (1) – Please contact Board staff for information on filling vacancies.
Ohio
Public Member (1) - Those interested in being considered for appointment to the Board may apply online with the Governor's office by submitting a Boards and Commission Application.
Pennsylvania
Professional Member (1) & Public Member (2) - Please contact Board staff for information on filling the vacancies.
Rhode Island
Public Member (1) - Please contact Board staff for more information.
Wisconsin
Public Member (1) - If you are interested in applying to serve, an application can be submitted to the office of Gov. Evers.
