AIA Ohio has closely monitored the possible consolidation of the Ohio Architects and Landscape Architects Boards. The State Budget Bill (HB64)–introduced in February, 2015– proposed combining these two Boards which AIA Ohio opposed. A compromise in the final Budget Bill mandated a Sunset Review Commission study of the issue as well as an investigation into which of Ohio’s many state boards and commissions should be abolished or combined. Following many hearings, during which AIA opposed combining the Architect and Landscape Architect Boards, the Review Commission’s recommendations were included in HB 471. The recommendations proposed to abolish numerous boards and commissions and to combine most medical-related boards. Culminating many House and Senate hearings on the bill, last night (Nov. 30) the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee recommended what likely will become the final version of the bill (Substitute HB 471). It does not mention the Architect or Landscape Architect Boards.
The bill will now goes to the Senate floor and, if approved, back to the House for its concurrence in Senate amendments before going to the Governor for his signature.