2020 Boards and Commissions

State Board of Landscape Architects

General Information

Formal Name:State Board of Landscape Architects
Contact Person:Gail Parris
Purpose:The Mission of the Board is to protect the life, health, and property of the citizens of Nebraska by ensuring the licensure of individuals who practice the profession of landscape architecture and present themselves as Landscape Architects within the State.
How Many Affectable:Safeguards life, health, property, and promotes public welfare of those in the State of Nebraska
How Many Served:Approximately 140 Licensees, 10 examinees, and the public through public awareness of what landscape architects do and why licensure is important
Year Created:1967
Year Active:1968
Sunset Date:None

Authorization

Authorization Citation:Neb Rev Stat Section 81-8,186
Parent Agency:None

Memberships and Meetings

Number Of Members:Six
Who Appoints:Governor
Legislative Approval:No
Qualifications Of Members:Five professional landscape architects and one public member Neb Rev Stat 81-8,186
Per Diem:No
Expense Reimbursement:Yes
Term Length:Five Years
Terms Rotate or Expire At Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings Required In:

Required FY 17-18:1
Held FY 17-18:5
Required FY 18-19:1
Held FY 18-19:4
Required FY 19-20:1
Held FY 19-20:4

Operations

Support Staff:Yes
Shared or Separate:Shared through contract with the Board of Engineers and Architects
FY 17-18 Budget:$25,333
FY 18-19 Budget:$34,753
FY 19-20 Budget:$27,330
Other Funding Sources:None
Spending Authority:Neb Rev Stat 81-8,194

Accomplishments

Since July 1, 2016:A seven year journey to revise the Professional Landscape Architect Act was came to an end in 2020 with the passage of LB30, 2019. This is the first major revision of the Act since 1971. Included in the revision were additional pathways to licensure to help reduce unintended barriers. The transition from annual to biennial renewals, the removal of duplicated language, adding a requirement for a coordinating professional on a project, authority for the Board to bring action against unlicensed practice, and the reorganization by combining related sections.The Board just finished compiling and revision its Rules and Regulations, Title 231 NAC, as a result of LB30 and will be hold the public hearing on the revisions at the end of October 2020. This revision is a total revamp of the old Rules and includes the reduction on several fees, deletion of duplicated language, outlining the application processes, define the enforcement process, reducing the professional development hours (PDH) from fifteen to twelve, creating a process for an individual to reinstate an expired license, promulgation of several Board polices, creation of a new PDH audit process, among others.The Board launched a new more user friendly website in June 2019.The Board met in August 2020 to review and update its Strategic Plan for the next biennium. The Board will be concentrating its effects on creating material to be used during it outreach to both students and the public as well as reaching out to the local chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) to begin working together on like matters and issues.