Ensuring High Standards in HB 4913 — A Local Business Leader's Perspective

Summary

An email letter sent October 28, 2025 to Rep. Karl Bohnak, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Economic Competitiveness, by the owner of an architecture and design firm in Negaunee, Michigan, concerning House Bill 4913. The writer states a shared interest in reducing regulatory burden but concern that the bill may compromise the standards of architecture licensure. The letter objects to the phrase allowing "the equivalent of a first professional degree" as ambiguous and argues for NCARB's model of education, experience and examination. It asks for four amendments: define the degree equivalent, retain supervised experience requirements, preserve examination standards consistent with NCARB, and keep the governing Board's authority over eligibility, scope and discipline. The writer offers to meet with Rep. Bohnak or staff.

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Full text

Dakota Soda

From: Rock Dog <rock.dog.design@gmail.com>

Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 10:36 AM

To: Rep. Karl Bohnak (District 109)

Cc: Dakota Soda

Subject: Ensuring High Standards in HB 4913 — A Local Business Leader's Perspective

Dear Representative Bohnak,

Thank you for your service and your leadership as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Economic
Competitiveness, representing the Upper Peninsula’s 109th District.

My name is Ryan Morse, and | own and operate an architecture and design firm based in Negaunee,
Michigan. | partner with other local business owners to develop projects that support our region’s
economy and communities in the U.P.

As a Michigan-trained architect and licensed professional, | serve the public in several key capacities: |
am acurrent National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Licensing Advisor, an
NCARB portfolio reviewer, an active American Institute of Architects (AIA) Strategic Councillor, anda
former AIA Chapter President who has worked with state legislatures—in Alaska—on licensing reform. |
mention this so you can know | understand both the professional standards and the public protection
role of architecture licensure.

I’m writing regarding House Bill 4913, the “Good Samaritan (Architect), Scope of Practice: Architect
(Occupational Licensing Reform)” measure, of which you are a sponsor. While | share your interest in
reducing unnecessary regulatory burden, | have serious concerns that the bill— in its current form—may
compromise the high standards our profession must maintain for the protection of public health, safety
and welfare.

Here are my key points:

e The bill proposes that a candidate for licensure may satisfy the requirement by completing a first
professional degree (or further) or “the equivalent of a first professional degree.” That
“equivalent” language invites ambiguity and may lower the educational benchmark.

e The value of licensure lies in the rigorous combination of education, structured experience and
comprehensive examination. NCARB’s modelis a proven pathway that preserves public
protection while offering mobility.

e Reform efforts meant to reduce “red tape” must ensure we do not inadvertently reduce the
quality, competency or accountability of practitioners. As neighbours in the U.P., we cannot
accept shortcuts—our conditions (climate, geography, infrastructure) demand competence.

e Locally, as a small business owner, | manage not only design quality, but liability exposures, long-
term durability, code compliance and the well-being of our communities. Lowering standards
may lead to higher risk for building owners, taxpayers, contractors and local governments.
Given your background—decades in the U.P., close connection to our communities and a clear focus on

local control and economic vitality—I respectfully ask you to consider the following amendments to HB
4913:

1. Clarify what “equivalent of a first professional degree” means in explicit terms (e.g., clearly
defined number of credit hours, accredited program, or structured alternative with oversight -
NCARB has model language to work from).

2. Retain meaningful supervised experience requirements, tied to tasks essential to protecting the
public, rather than simply time served.

3. Preserve examination standards consistent with NCARB or equivalent national benchmark to
ensure entry-level competency.

4. Ensure the governing Board retains oversight and authority to determine eligibility, scope and
discipline to protect public welfare.

If you like, | would be glad to meet with you or your staff—either virtually or in person—to provide a local
business owner’s perspective on how licensing reform can succeed without lowering standards.

Thank you for your time and commitment to our region. | appreciate your willingness to review local
voices as this bill moves forward, and | look forward to working together to keep the U.P. strong, safe and
economically vibrant.

Sincerely,

Ryan Morse, AIA, NCARB
Rock Dog Design

Cell Phone - 907-297-8535

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Original

www.house.mi.gov