Update 2/11/04: The Bill remains in Rules Committee with amendments under consideration. AIA and IDCWA representatives have reached no agreement on acceptable language.
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Over the past couple of weeks, AIA Washington Council volunteers and staff have actively pursued the issue of design professionalism, following the introduction of legislation relating to regulation of interior designers. As readers of this bulletin may know, over the past few years, interior design advocates have supported legislation in several states, with varying results. This year, the issue has come to Washington, in a movement supported by the Interior Design Coalition of Washington (IDCWA).

Many Members have contacted AIA components with questions about this issue, and also about communications regarding the legislative movement received from various sources including the IDCWA – in particular, a bulletin dated 2/5 which erroneously indicated that the "American Institute of Architecture" supported the measure. IDC has since issued a retraction. The Olympian tasks of crafting the language of the measure continue in committee review.

The Washington Council legislative action team – especially Council Executive Director Mary Mauerman, AIA Washington Council President Mike Smith FAIA, AELC lobbyist Cliff Webster, and 2003 State Government Affairs Liaison Rob Widmeyer AIA – have helped assert AIA policy and keep legislators informed about the implications of the proposal, providing background about the nature of design education and practice, and the importance of design to the health, safety, and welfare of Washington citizens. AIA policies and advocacy reflect the belief that significant differences in the practices of interior design and architecture call for different regulatory approaches.

As we know, architectural education and practice incorporate aspects of interior design, and many architectural firms include interior design among their services – provided in some cases by both architects and other design staff. This close association makes us familiar with the important similarities and differences in our work.

At the AIA Washington Council Capitol Connections event in Olympia on February 19, the front-line team will update attendees on the current status of this and other key items on the AIA advocacy agenda.

References:
•CLICK HERE to review bill information and text.
•CLICK HERE to review AIA national policy on professional regulation.
•CLICK HERE for remarks by AIA Seattle President Kristen M. Scott AIA on AIA Advocacy, in her February 2004 President's Letter.
•CLICK HERE for background on the Interior Design Coalition of Washington.