AIA Indiana Legislative E-Newsletter 
Committee Hearing Action Heats Up at the Statehouse  
January 24, 2020
 
AIA Indiana has been very active working on bills in committees, both trying to stop and amend proposals that impact the architecture profession. Next week is the deadline for bills to pass out of committee. Information regarding the legislative week that was is explained below.


HB 1060, regulation of building materials , authored by Rep. Doug Miller (R - Elkhart), strips local governments and citizen committees of the ability to influence architecture in their communities. This bill, which is strongly supported by the Indiana Builders Association (home builders) and the Vinyl Siding Institute, applies to all single and double family dwellings in Indiana, but does exclude dwellings located in historic districts. AIA Indiana opposes HB 1060 because it is detrimental for good design in Indiana, and is bad for communities, homeowners and consumers.
 
Sadly, HB 1060 passed out of the House Local Government Committee 8-5 on January 23 and will now be debated on the House floor. AIA Indiana will continue to work against this negative proposal, along with our allies, ACEC (engineers), AIM (cities and towns), Indiana Fire Chiefs Association, and the Association of Indiana Counties, but your help is needed.
 
Please call or send an email ASAP to your state representative and tell them that you/your firm OPPOSES HB 1060! CLICK HERE to view talking points on HB 1060 for architects and designers.
 
*House of Representatives Phone - 800/382-9842
* CLICK HERE to find and email your state representative.

James Kienle, FAIA testifying in opposition to HB 1060, regulation of building materials.

SB 55, piping materials for public works projects , authored by Sen. Blake Doriot (R - Goshen), is sadly back again this year.  The bill seeks to legislate the criteria engineers use in determining the most appropriate materials to be used on a project. This same bill was also considered in previous sessions with language requiring the consideration of a specific type of piping, PVC. AIA Indiana opposes this measure because it imposes arbitrary and unnecessary specification requirements, seeks to solve a non-existent problem, and is a thinly veiled effort to promote a product. The bill, if it were to pass, would set a terrible precedent for more material "mandates." SB 55 is being pushed by Indiana Builders Association (home builders) and the American Chemistry Council.
 
SB 55 was heard on Thursday, January 9, in the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee. No vote was taken. At this time, it seems the bill may not move any further this session. However, AIA Indiana will stay vigilant and continue to work with our allies to see that this bill is killed again this session.
 
Thank you to all who contacted your state senators asking them to oppose SB 55. Your efforts have made a difference.

SB 427, provisional occupational license, authored by Sen. Brian Buchanan (R - Lebanon), allows a person who: (1) affirms certain information concerning the person's license; (2) has passed a criminal background check; and (3) submits an application and pays any application fee; to be issued a provisional license for a regulated occupation at the same practice level as a license that the person holds in another state.
 
AIA Indiana and ACEC (engineers) had concerns the bill could have had a negative impact on the current licensing system in place for architects and engineers. Thankfully, we were able to work with our allies and the bill's author, Sen. Buchanan, to amend the bill in a positive manner.
 
SB 427 was heard in the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee on January 23. During the committee hearing our proposed amendment was unanimously approved by consent. The committee did not vote on the amended SB 427. The bill may be amended again and voted on in committee next week. AIA Indiana will continue to monitor this SB 427.

HB 1008, occupational licensure reciprocity , authored by Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R - Fort Wayne), requires a board that issues a license for certain regulated occupations to issue a license to an individual who: (1) is licensed in another state or jurisdiction in the regulated occupation; (2) has established residency; (3) has passed a substantially equivalent examination; (4) is and has been in good standing; (5) pays a fee; and (6) completes the licensure application form.

This bill is an effort by the House Republican Caucus to streamline the professional licensing reciprocity process for jobs regulated by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. This is not an issue for the architecture profession. Currently two-thirds of Indiana licensed architects do not reside in the state. CLICK HERE to view an Indianapolis Business Journal article regarding this issue.

AIA Indiana had concerns regarding the bill but we worked with our allies and the bill's author to positively amend HB 1008 in committee. The amended bill passed out of the House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee on January 23. It will now be debated on the House floor.


You Can Make a Difference - As in every state legislative session, your help is needed. You are urged to contact your legislators and use your clout to positively impact our profession at the statehouse. Also, if you don't already know them, please contact your state senator and state representative to introduce yourself. Invite them to tour your firm. Discuss with them the issues that are important to you and your firm. I am sure they will appreciate hearing from you. To contact your legislators, see the information below.
 
House of Representatives Phone - 800/382-9842
State Senate Phone - 800/382-9467
Find Your Legislator - CLICK HERE

Please do not hesitate to contact AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley, jshelley@aiaindiana.org, 317-634-6993, if you have questions or concerns regarding these or any other issues.
Support your profession by attending an "AIA Indiana Day at the Statehouse." This is a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the key AIA state legislative and regulatory issues and become a lobbyist for a day. You will be able to directly impact the legislative process by meeting with your state legislators and discussing the issues important to architects.  Current dates available include January 28, 29, February 3, 4, or 10.

(L-R) AIA Indiana Committee on the Environment (COTE) Co-Chair Joe Yount, AIA and Senator Jean Breaux (D - Indianapolis). 
 
February 3 is USGBC-IN/AIA Indiana Day at the Statehouse. February 4 is YAF/AIAS Day at the Statehouse. All members are welcome to attend on those dates as well.

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!
Architects for Indiana Political Action Committee 

Please contribute to the Architects for Indiana Political Action Committee (ARCHPAC). The importance of our participation in the political process becomes more and more evident each time we must take action to cope with legislative proposals that call for extending the sales tax to services, requiring stock school plans, or providing interior designers stamping privileges!  
 
Please join many of your fellow Hoosier AIA members who have already contributed and write a $50 check today to ARCHPAC and return it to AIA Indiana, 115 W. Washington St., Suite 955 S, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
AIA Indiana | 317-634-6993 | jshelley@aiaindiana.org | www.aiaindiana.org
STAY CONNECTED: