Issues & AdvocacyState

Close Relations

Inside AIA National’s State Relations Team

June 30, 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 MEETING THIS WEEK: 13

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin

HOT ISSUES:

• The AIA Board Advocacy Committee has completed their review of the AIA Public Policies and Position Statements. The BAC is seeking public comment from the State Government Network regarding a revision to the Sustainable Architecture Practice Position Statement. Contact Angie Taylor, Director, State Relations for more information at angietaylor@aia.org.
• AIA is developing a database of stalled construction projects that are economically viable but lack the financing to go forward. The database will help connect these projects with potential investors in an effort to alleviate the credit crunch plaguing the design and construction industry. To read the AIA press release announcing the database, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

The July SGN Open Call – titled The ABCs of PAC – will feature Adam Melis, Director, Advocacy Outreach and Hannah Wesolowski, Manager, Political Programs discussing best practices on how to maximize the effectiveness of State PACs with limited resources.

Among other things, they will discuss:

• PAC management best practices to streamline your process and be more efficient – Why PAC boards, bylaws, contribution criteria, and disbursement strategies can ease your resource allocation and increase transparency.

• Eye-catching solicitations – What messages resonate with AIA membership? How do we educate our members on the importance of PACs and create a culture of giving?

• Successful reward and recognition techniques – How you can utilize incentive clubs/giving levels and revamp your recognition approach to align with member priorities and manage costs.

• Communications that build awareness and excitement – Ways you can motivate non-donors with meetings, websites, newsletters, annual reports, and sharing your success stories.

PAC administrators, AIA member volunteers interested in government affairs, and anyone interested in learning more about PACs are encouraged to participate.

Date and Time: Monday, July 27, 2011 3:30 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)

Event number: 665 237 557

Event password: Welcome11

Event address for attendees: https://aiaevents.webex.com/aiaevents/onstage/g.php?d=665237557&t=a

AROUND THE HORN:

• Florida House Bill 849, supported by AIA Florida, was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott. The bill modifies the Florida Building Code, specifically updating the Florida Accessibility Code. For more information, contact AIA Florida Executive Vice President Vicki Long, CAE, Hon. AIA at vlong@aiafla.org.
• Michigan is asking members to encourage their House Representatives to urge House leadership to bring SB 77, the statute of limitations bill for the design and construction industry, up for a floor vote. For more information, contact AIA Michigan Executive Director Barb Sido, CAE at barb@aiami.com.
• Colorado’s legislative summary is here. A highlight of the session was the passage of a bill creating a green building incentive pilot program, which was actively supported by AIA Colorado. AIA Colorado also asks its members to contact their US Senators to support the repeal of Three Percent Withholding, which requires government withhold 3% of payments to contractors. For more information, contact AIA Colorado Executive Director Sonia Riggs, Hon. AIA at sonia@aiacolorado.org.

RESOURCES:

• report of the Public Hearing for the International Green Construction Code, Public Version 2.0 is available here. The report is open to public comment. Instructions are in the report.
• State Relations Tools & Resources page now contains a link to the AIA Directory of Public Policies & Position Statements.
• Leadership Development Grant Program’s deadline has been extended to September 15, 2011. The grant will support AIA Component projects, conferences, symposia, and scholarships that advance leadership development across the span of an architect’s career.   Components are eligible to receive up to $2,000 for these initiatives.  

THIS WEEK IN STATE RELATIONS:

• SGN Advisory Panels: No 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 Missouri reported that a bill which protects the findings of internal reviews from discovery in the legal process passed. At the request of Governor Nixon, AIA Missouri is seeking other states with similar laws. 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
• Zachary Hart (State and Local Relations Consultant, Close Relations Editor): 202.626.7354 or zacharyhart@aia.org
• Twitter: @AIA_StRelations