Issues & AdvocacyState

Welcome to this week’s edition of Close Relations. For more government advocacy news, please see today’s edition of the Angle. Thanks to AIA Consultant Zachary Hart for his help with this and other recent editions of Close Relations.

HOT ISSUES:

• AIA Alabama is seeking volunteer architects who may be needed to help inspect structural damage in the aftermath of the devastating tornados which struck the state on Wednesday, April 27. To add your name to the list of volunteers, please e-mail AIA Alabama Executive Director Larry Vinson at larry@gmsal.com.
• AIA Kansas reports that Governor Sam Brownback is considering a line-item veto of the Kansas Arts Commission if it is included in the Legislature’s 2012 budget. AIA Kansas is urging its members to contact their representatives in support of full Arts Commission funding. For more information contact Trudy Aron, Hon. AIA at aron@aiaks.org.
• Language in the Indiana state budget bill still includes language that would expand a moratorium on the construction of nursing homes to the private sector. AIA Indiana is attempting to remove this language, called a Certificate of Need (CON), with an amendment in conference committee. For more information, contact AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley at jshelley@aiaindiana.org.
• A bill sponsored by AIA California Council to remove the sunset date on the law allowing architectural firms to organize as Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) unanimously passed its first legislative hearing. AB 560 is expected to pass both state legislative chambers, though there may be changes to the amount of Errors & Omissions insurance architectural LLPs are required carry.
• AIA Ohio will hold its Legislative Day on June 8, 2011 in Columbus, where members will have the opportunity to educate legislators on 15 bills that affect members’ practice. More information here.

AROUND THE HORN:

• SGN member Bill Dikis, FAIA, has been appointed to the Iowa Capitol Planning Commission and will begin May 1. The Commission is responsible for advising the Iowa Legislature on the future development of the Capitol Complex, including the design and placement of additional buildings, statues, and monuments.
• Fred Butters, FAIA, Esq. was recently appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the Michigan Construction Code Commission.  The Commission’s role is “to improve the quality of housing for Michigan residents while assisting the housing industry.”
• The AIA Board Advocacy Committee (BAC) and SGN will meet prior to the AIA National Convention in New Orleans to review the Institute's expiring public policies and position statements. These policies and statements articulate to policymakers, the general public, and the design and construction industry the AIA's stances on public policy concerns affecting members, the profession of architecture, and the Institute itself. This meeting is intended to give SGN stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback before the policies and statements go out for public review. The meeting will take place on May 11 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM (CDT).
• Attendees of the 2011 AIA National Convention in New Orleans are invited to attend the Codes and Standards free networking lunch on Friday, May 13 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Topics of discussion will include how to get more involved in the building code development process and the AIA’s continuing work on the world’s first comprehensive green construction code. To RSVP, send an email to Mark Wills, markwills@aia.org by 5:00 PM (EDT) on Friday, April 29.
• The fifth annual Citizen Architect Exchange will take place at the AIA National Convention on Wednesday, May 11^th, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM, with a reception to follow at 6:00 PM. The Exchange will feature a panel and discussions on involving emerging professionals in civic engagement, influencing the community through civic engagement and leadership, and personal leadership development. Email Brooks Rainwater at brainwater@aia.org for more information.

SGN MONTHLY OPEN CALL:

• The April SGN Open Call on April 27 featured AIA Vice President and General Counsel Jay Stephens, who discussed legal issues relating to the profession of architecture and to advocacy. For your reference, the audio from the call can be found here, and you can access relevant documents from the call here (click link, then SGN Open Calls > 2011-04-27)
• The next SGN Open Call will take place on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (EDT) (GMT-04:00). Brooks Rainwater, Director of Local Relations, will give a recap of the Citizen Architect Sessions that he will lead at the upcoming AIA National Convention in New Orleans.

Call-in number: 866-699-3239

Event number: 664 046 866
Event password: Welcome11
Event address for attendees: https://aiaevents.webex.com/aiaevents/onstage/g.php?d=664046866&t=a

THIS WEEK IN STATE RELATIONS:

• On April 26, Chris Merriam, Manager of State Issues and Programs, attended Build Alabama Day at the historic Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery. Chris met with several prominent Alabama architects, advocates, and politicians. AIA Alabama's government affairs team has a good working relationship with many related trade groups, including the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Alabama Chapter; the Alabama Road Builders Association; and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Alabama.

• SGN Advisory Panels: On April 28, the QBS/Procurement SGN Advisory Panel – the fourth of eight – kicked off. Relevant documents for each Panel will be posted to Sharepoint: Click here, then “SGN Advisory Panels.” Contact Chris Merriam if you’re interested in joining one of the Panels.

• SGN Listserv threads: There were no SGN Listserv threads this week. All SGN Listserv threads are archived on Sharepoint; click here, then “SGN Listserv Threads.”

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Past editions of Close Relations can be found here.

Connect with AIA’s State Affairs team:

• Angie Taylor (Director, State Relations): 202.626.7543 or angietaylor@aia.org
• Chris Merriam (Manager, State Issues and Programs): 202.626.7417 or chrismerriam@aia.org
• Twitter: @AIA_StRelations