On July 4, President Trump signed into law, the One Big Beautiful Bill. (H.R. 1). This bill presents a mixed outcome for ASLA’s policy priorities. 

It is disappointing that the reconciled bill cuts funding for certain climate, public lands, and transportation programs. And we will continue to work to restore this funding.   

However, the bill also reflects significant progress on key tax provisions ASLA has long advocated for. These tax wins directly benefit landscape architects and ASLA as an organization—and serve as a reminder that our voice continues to be heard in federal policymaking. 

The measure includes four out of five of ASLA’s top tax policy recommendations.  

• Expansion of 529 education savings plans—The bill expands 529 plans to cover workforce training and professional licensure costs for landscape architects. 
• Enhancement of the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit—The bill restores the one-year deductibility for R&D expenses to help small firms innovate without financial strain. 
• Maintenance of the federal tax-exempt status of municipal bonds—The bill does not affect the federal tax-exempt status for municipal bonds, allowing this critical tool that supports affordable infrastructure development nationwide to continue.  
• Continuation of the federal tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations—The bill does not affect the tax-exempt status of professional societies like ASLA, continuing our tax-exempt status so we may continue delivering essential member and community services. 

Throughout the reconciliation or legislative process ASLA and coalition partners urged the Senate to reject certain claw backs of funding for programs and agencies important to landscape architects, including, embodied carbon materials programs, funding for the National Park Service, and employer-provided transit benefits.  

ASLA’s government affairs team will continue working with congressional staff and partner organizations to mitigate the cuts and reintroduce critical funding through future legislative vehicles. 

ASLA also will continue to share our views and opinions on the value and benefits of supporting our public spaces and projects. For example, ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen posted an article on LinkedIn about reminding our industry and the public what our common spaces mean. 

We will keep you informed as these efforts progress. Thank you for your continued support of ASLA’s advocacy work.