House of Representatives bill 1151 was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means recently. H.R. 1151 would amend the IRS tax code and help pay expenses for licensure through 529 accounts - which is a state-funded investment plan that can be used tax free for college expenses.

H.R. 1151, also known as The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act, was reintroduced by Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia's first district on Feb. 7.

 

According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the IRS "permits contributions to state-sponsored education savings vehicles, referred to as a 529 savings plan... Expanding qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to cover costs associated with postsecondary training and credentialing, including government issued professional licenses, would benefit landscape architecture licensure candidates and licensees."

Currently there are two types of 529 plans: an education savings plan and a prepaid tuition plan but it is unclear which one would apply to this bill specifically. The first type is the most common and considered the most flexible tax-free investment while the pre-paid plan limits use to in-state public tuition. According to the Education Data Initiative, there were 16.8 million active 529 accounts as of June 2024 with an average account balance of $30,652 in 2021.

In an article published in the July 2024 issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News, the cost to become a licensed Landscape Architect across the country was analyzed. The article explained the various costs of licensure which ranges from $249 to $700 across the country. Further, the L.A.R.E. exam - which is only taken to become a licensed Landscape Architect once - costs $2,100 and could further hinder licensure.

Congressman Wittman alongside U.S. Reps. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), Kevin Hern (R-OK-01), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), John Larson (D-CT-01), Mike Collins (R-GA-10), Mike Carey (R-OH-10), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) to "include postsecondary training and credentialing, including licenses and non-governmental certifications."

H.R. 1151 passing could further insure the affordability of the profession. LASN will continue to monitor this legislation.