HB 485 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

State Board of Professional Landscape Architects - Revisions

HB 485 updates Maryland's licensing framework for landscape architects by renaming the regulatory body to the "State Board of Professional Landscape Architects" and changing related terminology (e.g., "licensed" to "professional" landscape architects). It revises qualifications for board membership, application requirements, examination processes, license renewal terms, and fees for professionals seeking or maintaining licensure. The bill also introduces a new "emeritus status" license for retired professionals. These changes directly affect landscape architects, firms, and the Board in Maryland, streamlining regulatory language and processes under the updated title.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed Apr 28, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - State Board of Professional Landscape Architects - Revisions → Third - State Board of Professional Landscape Architects - Revisions · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill's procedural status was updated to reflect its adoption and committee approval. The substantive scope of the legislation was significantly altered by reorganizing the list of Maryland Code sections being amended, moving several articles from the 'Business Occupations and Professions' title to 'Business Regulation', 'Courts and Judicial Proceedings', 'Environment', and 'Natural Resources'. Additionally, the bill was restructured to repeal and reenact specific sections in those new articles rather than just adding to them.

Scope change

The bill's scope of legislative amendments was expanded and reorganized to include sections from five different articles (Business Regulation, Courts and Judicial Proceedings, Environment, Natural Resources, and Public Utilities) that were previously only listed under Business Occupations and Professions.

SCOPE

The list of sections to be amended was reorganized; sections from Business Regulation, Courts, Environment, Natural Resources, and Public Utilities were moved from the Business Occupations and Professions category to their respective original articles.

PROCEDURAL

Added status indicators showing the bill was reported favorably by the committee and adopted by the House.

DEFINITION

The internal numbering and structure of definitions within the Business Occupations and Professions article were renumbered and reorganized.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 224

executive

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Economic Matters

lower

Feb 20, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (137-0-5)

house of delegates

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

First Reading Economic Matters

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors