ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers - (Page 72) grassroots 2007 State Legislative Update Colorado SB 84 would have required the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors to maintain a database of qualified registered interior designers in the state. Sponsored by Sen. Andy McElhany, SB 84 was introduced on Jan. 15 and referred to the Committee on Business, Labor and Technology, where it passed on Jan. 31 by a vote of 7–0. The bill passed the Senate on April 18 by a vote of 25–8 and passed the House on May 2 by a vote of 39–25. SB 84 was vetoed by the governor on June 1. Indiana SB 490 was a title act providing for the registration of interior designers to use the title “registered interior designer.” Sponsored by Sen. Dennis Kruse, SB 490 was introduced on Jan. 18 and referred to the Committee on Pensions and Labor. SB 490 passed the Senate on Feb. 26 by a vote of 44–5 and was referred to the House Committee on Labor and Employment. The bill passed committee April 5 and passed the House on April 10 by a vote of 61–32. SB 490 was vetoed by the governor on May 3. Massachusetts SB 178 is a practice act that would license the practice of interior design and use of the title “registered interior designer.” SB 178, sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem, was introduced on Jan. 10 and referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. A hearing on the bill was held on July 10. HB 3209 would allow registered interior designers to bid on state contracts. Sponsored by Rep. Louis Kafka, HB 3209 was introduced on Jan. 9. A hearing on the bill was held on April 10. Michigan HB 4770, HB 4771 and HB 4772 are practice act bills for the registration of interior designers. Sponsored by Rep. Andy Meisner and Rep. Bill Huizenga, the bills were introduced on May 16. New York SB 3659 and AB 6534 would amend the current title act, changing the title regulated from “certified interior designer” to “interior designer.” Sponsored by Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle and Assemblyman Ronald J. Canestrari, the bills were introduced on March 13 and were referred to the Committee on Higher Education in their respective chambers. SB 3659 passed committee on April 23, passed the Senate unanimously on April 25 and was referred to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. SB 2516 and AB 4818 would amend the current tax law to exclude interior design services provided by a certified interior designer from the sales tax requirement. SB 2516, sponsored by Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle, was introduced on Feb. 6 and passed the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations on March 7. SB 2516 unanimously passed the Senate on April 16. AB 4818, sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald J. Canestrari, was introduced on Feb. 6 and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Tennessee SB 210 and HB 84, known as the “Tennessee Interior Design Consumer Protection Act,” are practice act bills that would license the practice of interior design and use of the title “interior designer.” SB 210, sponsored by Sen. Bill Ketron, was introduced on Feb. 5 and referred to the Committee on Government Operations. SB 210 passed committee on May 2, and was deferred until January 2008. HB 84, sponsored by Rep. Janis Baird Sontany, was introduced on Jan. 31 and referred to the Committee on Consumer and Employee Affairs. HB 84 passed committee on March 14, and was referred to the Consumer and Employees Affairs Committee. HB 84 was deferred until January 2008. Both bills will carry over to the 2008 legislative session in their current committees. Texas SB 832 and HB 1985 were practice act bills that would have licensed the practice of interior design and use of the title “interior designer.” SB 832, sponsored by Sen. Eduardo A. Lucio, was introduced on Feb. 22 and referred to the Committee on Business and Commerce. SB 832 died in committee on May 21. HB 1985, sponsored by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, was introduced on Feb. 26 and referred to the Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures. HB 1985 passed committee on April 17, but died on the House floor on May 21. Capitol Connections Has a New Look! ASID has redesigned the Capitol Connections page of our Web site making it easier for you to show your support for currently pending interior design bills. States with current pending interior design bills are highlighted at the top of the page; click the “Take Action” button to write your legislators on these important bills. You can also write your legislators to show support for interior design registration bills that have been introduced in the past and are not currently pending in your state legislature. Sample letters for these states can be found just below the highlighted pending legislation alerts. Here’s how to use Capitol Connections. 1) Log on to www.asid.org/legislation 2) Click on the “Capitol Connections” link. 3) When the Capitol Connections page opens there are several options, including • Respond to one of the highlighted pending legislation action alerts. • Respond to one of the other action alerts. • Enter a ZIP code to find names and contact information for federal or state representatives. • Create your own communication to a friend alerting them to take action. When sending one of the sample letters to your legislators, be sure to fill in your name, city and company information in the first paragraph of the letter. Capitol Connections makes it quick and easy for interior designers to be active in the political process. Take advantage of this online resource today and show support for interior design registration in your state! Contact the ASID Government and Public Affairs Team If you have any questions or would like to become involved in interior design legislative efforts, please contact the ASID Government and Public Affairs team at (202) 546-3480 or gpa@asid.org. Deanna Waldron, director, government and public affairs – dwaldron@asid.org Aline Stone, government affairs assistant – astone@asid.org 72 ASID ICON | THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS http://www.asid.org/legislation
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