Issues & AdvocacyState

The March 31^st edition of The Angle is out now!

*             *             *

The comments to Public Version 2.0 of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) are now available and open for public comment. These are the code change proposals that will be discussed and voted on by committee members at the code development hearings in Dallas from May 16-22.

*             *             *

If you have any questions about the IGCC, the proposed changes thereof, or anything else Codes Advocacy-related, please contact Mark Wills, Manager, Codes Advocacy, at markwills@aia.org.

*             *             *

The 2009 and 2010 SGN Tool Kits, previously available only on CD, are now available online!

• http://info.aia.org/SGNActionToolKit/2009/

• http://info.aia.org/SGNActionToolKit/2010/

*             *             *

Here are links to the audio from the past three SGN Open Calls:

• January 26 (1 hour 13 mins)

• February 23 (40 mins)

• March 23 (52 mins)

*             *             *

On March 28, AIA Washington testified before the House Capital Budget Committee in support of ESSB 5485, which would support a study of embodied energy in building materials.

*             *             *

The Alabama Council reports that SB 59 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 30. The bill would change Alabama’s statute of repose from 13 years to 7 years. Please contact Patrick Davis, FAIA at pdavis@cmharch.com for more information.

*             *             *

The New York Senate recently passed S 2987, which would authorize a new type of professional service corporation to be known as a professional service corporation, wherein non-licensed professionals could have an equity interest not to exceed 25%. This bill is one of AIANYS’ top priorities on the 2011 legislative agenda. The bill remains in committee in the Assembly. For more information, contact Georgi Ann Bailey, Director of Programs and Operations, AIA NYS, at gabailey@aianys.org.

*             *             *

AIA North Carolina held its Legislative Day on March 30. Priority issues included:

• Repair and Renovation of Public Buildings

• Advanced Planning of Necessary Public Projects

• Creation of a Building Trust Fund

• Public Private Partnerships that Provide New Financing Sources

*             *             *

The Hawaii Senate Ways and Means (WAM) Committee will meet on Friday, April 1 for Public Decision Making on HB985 HD2 relating to Procurement and Design-Build Contracts.  The AIA Hawaii State Council has submitted testimony in support of this legislation. The bill would put in place a two-step process for procuring design-build teams.  The bill would also provide for the granting of a conceptual design fee to the unsuccessful short-listed teams.  This is the companion to SB779, which AIA Hawaii has been following on its 2011 Legislative Issues web page.

*             *             *

This week on the SGN listserv:

• Jaime Sobrino of AIA Puerto Rico reported that Agronomists (yes, you read that correctly) in Puerto Rico are attempting to gain some measure of title and/or practice rights, although details are still emerging.

• Peter Heimbach of AIA Tennessee related a recently licensed architect’s complaint about non-architects using the term “architect” to describe their work.

*             *             *

The next SGN Open Call will take place on April 27 from 3:30-4:30 pm. The featured guest will be AIA Vice President and General Counsel, Jay Stephens, who will lead a discussion on legal considerations in State advocacy.

*             *             *

Connect with AIA’s State Affairs team (Angie Taylor [Director, State Relations] 202.626.7583, angietaylor@aia.org; Chris Merriam [Manager, State Issues and Programs] 202.626.7449, chrismerriam@aia.org) or on Twitter (@AIA_StRelations).

For back issues of Close Relations, click here.