John Joyce (R-PA)
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the public health, safety, and welfare implications of licensure of design professionals.
A Republican resolution with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
A concurrent resolution is how the House and the Senate settle something they do together, such as a budget plan or a joint session. It is adopted once both chambers agree to it, and that puts it into effect; it is not a law, so it does not go to the President.
What this bill would do
H. Con. Res. 47 expresses the sense of Congress regarding the licensure of design professionals. It highlights the historical role of state licensing for surveying, architecture, and engineering. The resolution notes that some states are reducing or eliminating licensing requirements due to concerns over regulation and competition. Congress asserts that design professions like architecture, engineering, surveying, and mapping are essential to the nation's infrastructure and environment. Ultimately, it states that continuing these licensures is in the best interest of public health, safety, and welfare.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
Promotes the use of qualified professionals for the maintenance of the nation's physical infrastructure.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
Ensures public safety and welfare by advocating for the use of licensed professionals in design.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Design professionals are cited as essential to the integrity of the natural environment.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Public Health and Safety: The resolution states that the continuation of licensure for design professions is in the best interest of public health, safety, and welfare (Section 2).
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Infrastructure Integrity: It asserts that design professions are critical to the successful planning, construction, and maintenance of real property and physical infrastructure, which contributes to national security and economic prosperity (Section 1).
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Environmental Protection: The resolution notes that these professions are essential to the integrity of the built and natural environment and resource planning activities (Section 1).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Market Entry Barriers: The text mentions that some states have reduced or eliminated licensing due to concerns over competition, market entry, and overregulation (Whereas clause 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — Promotes the use of qualified professionals for the maintenance of the nation's physical infrastructure. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Design professionals are cited as essential to the integrity of the natural environment.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Ensures public safety and welfare by advocating for the use of licensed professionals in design. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Contributes to economic prosperity through the maintenance of critical national infrastructure.
- 7/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/4/2025
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina