IIDA rounded up advocacy news from across the country—several of our chapters shared updates on recent wins and ongoing efforts in their states. We’re grateful for our IIDA advocates for all the tireless work they do to support advancement in design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of interior design.
New Partnership in Advocacy
CIDQ named a government affairs and advocacy, Matt Barusch, who will be working closely with IIDA and AIGA to support and advance our shared policy agendas at the state and provincial level. He's greatly impacted the success across the country as a speaker resource to educate legislators and representatives about what the NCIDQ includes, and to dispel myths about interior design. He is responsible for monitoring legislation, analyzing threats to the public from deregulatory efforts, generating advocacy resources that convey the value of the NCIDQ Exam, and developing strategies to support our stakeholders in educating policy makers on the value of meaningful interior design regulation.
Massachusetts
MA H381, now known as S281
Massachusetts VP of Advocacy, Krista Easterly, IIDA
MA H381 now known as S281 is an Act that focuses on advancing the profession of interior design, stamp and seal provisions, voluntary interior designer registration, and defines the profession of interior design.
The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure recently voted to advance H381, which will now be known as S281. This bill was reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means.
Sponsors:
- Senator Joan B. Lovely (S 281)
- Representative Patricia A. Haddad (H 381)
- Representative Bristol Hannah Kane (H 381)
- Representative James M. Murphy (H 381)
- Representative Elizabeth A. Malia (H 381)
Wisconsin
SB 344, AB 320
Wisconsin VP of Advocacy Laura Schade Stroik, IIDA
Currently, Wisconsin interior design legislation is a title act. AB 320/SB 344 would give Wisconsin Registered Interior Designers (WRIDs) the right to stamp and seal their own non-structural, non-exterior permitting documents. The Senate Committee on Government Operations, Legal Review, and Consumer Protection voted 4 Ayes, and 1 No during an Executive vote on October 26, 2021.
Sponsors:
- Senators Kooyenga, Johnson, Stroebel, Marklein and Roys
- Representatives Horlacher, Stubbs, Brooks, Cabral-Guevara, Dittrich, Gundrum, Hintz, Krug, Kuglitsch, Loudenbeck, Macco, Magnafici, Neylon, Penterman, Skowronski, Sortwell, Vruwink, and Wichgers.
Mark your calendars! The next National Advocacy Call, hosted by IIDA Advocacy and Public Policy Manager Janella Curtis will be held December 14 at 1:30 p.m. Central, featuring updates from chapters. Register here