AIA Indiana had a busy week at the statehouse last week which included testifying in favor of positive historic preservation tax credit legislation. This week will be even busier with bills concerning clean energy improvement financing district for commercial properties and mass transit scheduled for committee votes and/or hearings.
Other AIA Indiana issues still in play include Good Samaritan provision for architects, construction management at-risk, and professional licensing matters.
More detailed information regarding these issues is explained below.
HB 1111, historic preservation tax credit, authored by Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) was heard in the House Ways & Means Committee on January 12. The bill makes multiple positive changes to the current law including a phased in increase to the annual statewide cap on the credit until the cap is $10 million. The current cap is $450,000. Thank you to Jim Kienle, FAIA for testifying on behalf of AIA Indiana at the hearing. The bill will likely be voted on in the House Ways & Means Committee soon.
Your help is needed! Please contact your state representative and ask them to support HB 1111!
House of Representatives Phone - 800/382-9841
CLICK HERE to email your state representative.
CLICK HERE to view HB 1111.
CLICK HERE to view view the AIA Historic Preservation Tax Crecit Issue Brief.
HB 1073, the mass transit funding bill, is awaiting a vote in the House Ways & Means Committee. If you have not already done so, please contact your state legislators and ask them to support this measure!
House of Representatives Phone - 800/382-9841
CLICK HERE to email your state representative.
State Senate Phone - 800/382-9467
CLICK HERE to email your state senator.
CLICK HERE to view HB 1073.
CLICK HERE to view the AIA Transit-Oriented Development Issue Brief.
CLICK HERE for additional detailed information regarding HB 1073.
On January 5 the House Ways & Means Committee heard HB 1073 and AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley testified in favor of it. Rep. Jeff Espich (R-Uniondale) is the author of HB 1073.
SB 393, authored by Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis), is the Good Samaritan bill for architects and engineers and provides civil immunity for services in emergency. In particular, the bill provides civil immunity to a registered architect or professional engineer who provides professional services without compensation related to a declared emergency.
At this time it is not expected to receive a hearing, subsequently, your help is needed! Please contact your state senator and ask them to support SB 393 and give it a hearing in committee!
State Senate Phone - 800/382-9467
CLICK HERE to email your state senator.
CLICK HERE to view SB 393.
CLICK HERE to view the AIA Good Samaritan Provisions for the Architectural Profession Issue Brief.
HB 1332, the PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) bill, is set for hearing Friday, January 20 in the House Environmental Affairs Committee. The bill's author is Rep. Wes Culver (R-Middlebury). AIA Indiana supports this bill and will be testifying in support of it.
HB 1332 authorizes the legislative body of a political subdivision to establish and administer a voluntary property assessed clean energy program to finance the installation of clean energy improvements. This program will finance the installation of clean energy improvements through a special assessment property tax levy. The bill also provides that a legislative body may authorize owner arranged financing or issue bonds in anticipation of collecting the special assessments to pay for the clean energy improvements.
Key points in the bill include:
*It is commercial-only, but agricultural buildings, university buildings, and factories would also qualify.
*No new government would be created by this bill - only existing local government agencies (or combination of them) would administer it.
*Private sector entities are authorized to administer as well, if the local body grants permission.
*A broader array of financing options are available including owner-arranged financing, grants and loans to localities.
*Declaration that a participating property owner would seek a special lien (signals transparency to banks).
*A written guarantee by contractors that, for projects over $250,000, the accumulated energy savings will exceed the costs of the project.
Your help is needed! Please contact your state representative and ask them to support HB 1332!
House of Representatives Phone - 800/382-9841
CLICK HERE to email your state representative.
CLICK HERE to view HB 1332.
CLICK HERE to view view the AIA Green Buildings and Sustainable Architecture Issue Brief.
CLICK HERE to view view a PACE one page primer.
Use your clout and support your profession by attending an "AIA Indiana Day at the Statehouse." This is a unique opportunity for you to learn firsthand about the key AIA state legislative and regulatory issues and become a lobbyist for day. You will be able to use your clout to directly impact the legislative process by meeting with your state legislators and discussing the issues important to architects. Current dates available are: Jan. 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, and 31. Please choose a date and RSVP to AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley, jshelley@aiaindiana.org, 317/634-6993. The day will begin at 12 p.m. with lunch and end no later than 3 p.m. A unified voice is vital. Don't wait to get involved!
