Landscape Architects Tell Arizona Lawmakers They Want To Keep Their Licenses

Published: Thursday, February 18, 2016 - 4:26pm
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A state House committee Wednesday approved a bill that would eliminate licensing requirements for several professions including geologists, assayers and landscape architects.

Rene Guillen, policy adviser for the governor's office, told the House Commerce Committee that House Bill 2613 is a good idea.

“Simply stated, licensing should be the last option, not the first. We should be willing to periodically review the status quo and see if current regulations reach the proper balance of employment opportunity and government oversight. Reducing regulations means more money for hard-working Arizonans.”

But Guillen said the current language is not set in stone and that the governor’s office is open to potential changes before it’s approved by the full legislature.

That, however, is not enough to address the concerns of Chris Jones, a licensed landscape architect with the firm Anderson Baron. Jones spoke about the process to become a licensed landscape architect and the bill.

KJZZ did reach out to the sponsor of the bill, Representative Warren Petersen, through a spokeswoman.  He declined the request for an interview.

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