Issues & AdvocacyState

Close Relations

Inside AIA National’s State Relations Team

June 16, 2011

Welcome to this week’s edition of Close Relations.

Note: AIA Components are encouraged to send legislative and advocacy news to Close Relations Editor Zachary Hart at zacharyhart@aia.org for inclusion in future editions of Close Relations.

STATE LEGISLATURES STILL IN SESSION THIS WEEK: 19

In Regular Session: Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina

In Special Session: California, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin

HOT ISSUES:

• QBS under attack: State Relations has been notified by state and local chapters in Tennessee and Delaware that efforts are underway to modify the selection process for professional services in those states. The SGN QBS Advisory Panel and AIA National Staff are monitoring the progress of these efforts and are developing new resources as well as refining existing ones to assist in addressing members’ concerns. If your state or local municipality is faced with this issue, please notify Angie Taylor, Director, State Relations at angietaylor@aia.org or Brooks Rainwater, Director, Local Relations at brainwater@aia.org as soon as possible.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• The June SGN Open Call will feature an update on the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) Development Hearings which took place last month in Dallas. The call will feature Director of Sustainability Advocacy Jessyca Henderson, AIA and Manager of Codes Advocacy Mark Wills.
  

Date and Time: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 3:30 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)

Event number: 661 742 353

Event password: Welcome11

Event address for attendees: https://aiaevents.webex.com/aiaevents/onstage/g.php?d=661742353&t=a

AROUND THE HORN:

• AIA Massachusetts: On June 21^st the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure will consider a bill to regulate Interior Design.
  
• AIA New York opposes a Construction Threshold bill that would increase the threshold for which the services of an architect are required on a construction project from $20,000 to $50,000 for buildings outside the City of New York.
  
• The Texas Society of Architects urges members to support CSHB 2284, the Deuell/Hardcastle bill, which brings to an end the 20 year dispute over the regulation of architecture and engineering.

RESOURCES:

• The Texas Society of Architects’ blog has posted a short video prepared by NCARB explaining the licensure process, entitled Student to Architect: The Path to Licensure. Check it out and consider sharing it with your membership.
• Read up on the AIA’s response to the recent deadly tornadoes in Joplin, MO and Alabama at the Responding to Disaster page. As we approach prime hurricane season, please read more about the AIA’s Disaster Assistance Program, which provides resources on how architects can use their skills to help in the wake of natural disasters.

THIS WEEK IN STATE RELATIONS:

• SGN Advisory Panels: The Tort-Liability, Stock Schools, and Project Deliver Advisory Panels met this week. 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: AIA State Relations asked which components held a Legislative Day this session in which students were involved in the planning and/or execution of the event. Please send in your responses to Angie Taylor at angietaylor@aia.org as soon as possible. Thank you.

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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
• Zachary Hart (State and Local Relations Consultant, Close Relations Editor): 202.626.7354 or zacharyhart@aia.org
• Twitter: @AIA_StRelations