Architects and Engineers Legislative Committee (AELC) is created and a Michigan Lobbyist is hired (Cawthorne, McCullough & Cavanagh):

• Reactive to Legislation

• Chapter Practice Committees are created

• Vocal Complaints:  Unlicensed Practice is the main issue

• Joint Task Force:  Self-Regulation

• State Informs AIA Michigan:  No Longer Enforce Unlicensed Practice

• Interior Design Licensing Committee/Practice Bill Introduced

First AIA Michigan Government Affairs Committee is created:

• Major Inundation of Legislation Affecting Architectural Practice

• Reconstituted Government Affairs Committee
  • Goals:
    • Self-Regulation
    • Continuing Education
    • Class 1 Architects Board

• Decisions:

  • Seek Standing

  • Introduce Legislation for Enforcement

• Membership Support of GA through Assessment
• $100,000 GAC Budget
• Hire Legal Counsel
• Expand Lobbyists Duties
• Architectural Update Video/Brochure
• Introduce House Bill 4787
  • Fund Special AG
• Coalition with Builders/Withdraw SB330
  • Settle Single Family SF Requirements
• Support of HB5100:
  • Standing to Seek Injunctions
• Interior Design Practice Act Introduced
• Negotiations with Interior Designers over Title

• Public Awareness/Government Affairs Priority
  • AIAMI Board Passes Resolution to Create Legal Fund
  • HB5100 Passed into PA400:  Confused Language

• SB656 Introduced:
  • Severe Attack on Architects and Engineers by Homebuilders, Building Designers, Interior Designers, Mechanical and Electrical Contractors

• Board Votes to seek Case Law Using PA400

• Positive AG Opinion Received

• AIAMI Safety Survey/Media Campaign

• Board Votes to Seek Injunctions on Unlicensed Practitioners
• Four Unlicensed Practitioners Sued

• SB656 continues to be an issue, meetings with the Homebuilders are problematic
• Through much effort SB656 is held in committee
• Square Footage Limits for Contractors on single family residential is highlighted as an issue to be addressed in 1997

• Home Builders break off talks (restating their goal to “repeal the seal”).
• Interior Designers make clear their intention to create a title act through amendments to the Architect-Engineer laws and wrote HB4535.  Interior Designers ask the AIA Michigan for help with language.  While the HB4535 passed the senate committee, chaired by Rep. Varga, it was not introduced in 1997.
• Potential cases against unlicensed practitioners were studied

• HB 4535 passes the House and Senate with amendments that are not approved by AIA. The Governor signs the bill even though implementation of the bill is not resolved. AIA National is in opposition to this new amendment.
• Home Builders write several bills, but no action to introduce legislation is taken. Further Task Group activity to address the Home Builders is initiated.
• Three cases against unlicensed practitioners are reviewed and one case is settled out of court.
• APAC becomes an extremely important activity.

Traditionally, this committee has always been very reactionary.  Unfortunately, the Home Builders introduced SB #149 (repeal the 3,500sf exemption) in January.  

The committee spent a tremendous amount of time fighting this bill and HB # 4837 (identical) for the entire year.  

Despite this battle, the committee was able to accomplish a number of key legislative tasks as noted below:

• AIA National issues claim that AIAMI violated National policy regarding support of Interior design practice legislation.  AIAMI responds to claim in January.  AIA National issues letter of apology in October.
• AIAMI GA Committee organizes fund raiser for Senator McCotter.  The task force prepares primer regarding how to organize a fund raiser.  This primer will be shared with other state chapters.
• AIAMI GA targets key legislators for fund raising activities in 2000.
• Legal counsel sends letter to Detroit area Design/Builder practicing illegally.
• AIAMI searches for leader of APAC.
• AIAMI attempts to introduce School Construction Liability clause into SB #805.  Senate rejects recommendation.
• AIAMI works with State Building Officials to defeat "Interior Design Threat" through code changes at the International Code Council meeting in St. Louis.
• AIAMI supports a state wide building code (SB#463), however, we opposed three elements of the Bill; energy code regression, stair geometry regression and lack of definition for recreational dwellings.
• All building officials and inspectors throughout the state received an updated "Code and Regulations Summary for Properly Sealed Documents" laminated sheet for their reference.
• AIAMI "Capitol T-Shirts" were designed and printed up for distribution to all legislators, governor and key department leaders.  We anticipate distribution by Dec.1999.
• AIAMI defeats SB#149 in early November.  Home Builders must take AIAMI seriously, they are looking for a compromise solution

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