Licensure Committee Transitioning to the Government Affairs Committee - Call for Volunteers

The VA-ASLA Licensure Committee, having successfully completed the licensure effort for Virginia, is now refocusing its efforts to that of state and local government affairs, including General Assembly legislation and state regulatory matters. With this change of focus, a name change seemed in order.

Allow me to introduce the VA-ASLA Government Affairs Committee.

The Licensure Committee was founded in 1998 and has been comprised of 12 - 15 members over the course of the 12-year licensure effort. The Committee continues to have the support of those founding members but as the group transitions into its new focus on legislative and regulatory matters the Committee is looking for new volunteers who may have an interest in the legislative and regulatory aspects of the practice of landscape architecture in Virginia.

Rob McGinnis, in addition to his efforts monitoring General Assembly legislation and review of state regulations, continues to serve as the VAASLA liaison to the APELSCIDLA Board that regulates our practice. As the committee chair, Billy Almond works with Rob to respond to regulatory issues as well as well as track bills in the General Assembly. The Committee's focus is primarily on the following matters and efforts: 

• Monitoring of revisions to the state code and regulations as they affects the practice of Virginia licensed landscape architects
• Attending APELSCIDLA Board meetings in Richmond (4 times a year)
• Attending APELSCIDLA Landscape Architecture Section meetings in Richmond (4 times a year)
• Tracking legislation introduced in the General Assembly annually that may have an effect on the practice of Landscape Architecture in Virginia
• Participation in EXCOM conference calls and/or meetings to discuss strategies should legislative or regulatory issues arise that requires immediate action or lobbying
•  Assisting the EXCOM regarding continuing education requirements for renewal of licenses in Virginia
• Assisting VAASLA members regarding restrictions on their scope of practice at the state and local levels

The Committee is seeking:

• Volunteers to provide general support of Committee activities.
• One or more mid-career professionals interested in serving as a back-up to and learning how to serve as the VAASLA Liaison to the APELSCIDLA Board. The time commitment is focused on 4-8 meetings in Richmond. Ideally, a members located within 2-hour's drive of Richmond would be preferable.
• Members at any level of experience with an interest in learning how to track state legislation.
• Volunteers with specialized interest regarding the update of state regulations affecting the practice of landscape architects such as soil erosion and sediment control, storm water management, etc.
• Members at any level with an interest in tracking General Assembly legislation that covers the board range of topics and issues of interest to landscape architects such as environmental and cultural heritage, community planning and growth management, transportation, etc.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the VA-ASLA Governance Committee or if you would like to learn more about the Committee or volunteer opportunities please contact Billy Almond at 757.431.1041 x 16 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .