The 2008-2010 Session of the General Assembly has come to a close.  Following are highlights of our legislative and policy victories in this session

Professional Services Tax
AIA Pennsylvania was successful in stopping the expansion of the sales tax to architectural services.   AIA Pennsylvania continues to advocate against the expansion of the sales tax as an active member of The Pennsylvania Coalition Opposed to an Expanded Sales Tax, formerly PennCOST . AIA Pennsylvania believes that it is extremely important for us to stay engaged on this issue for the 2011-12 budget. Although Gov.-elect Tom Corbett is opposed, many lawmakers believe it is still a viable opposition.

Interior Designers
AIA Pennsylvania succeeded in blocking the passage of HB 1521, the Interior Design Title and Practice Act (sponsored by Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Fayette).   We presented testimony in opposition to the bill at a June 24th House Professional Licensure Committee. In November there was an effort to move this legislation through the committee.  AIA Pennsylvania worked with a coalition of groups opposed to the bill, including interior designer groups, the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and the PA Fire Institute.  We were successful in keeping the bill from being heard by the House Professional Licensure Committee.

This issue continues to be a concern to AIA Pennsylvania and we will continue to work with our interior design coalition partners to stop this legislation that would permit interior designers to stamp and seal drawings for purposes of getting a building permit.

Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
AIA Pennsylvania succeeded in protecting the Uniform Construction Code from weakening amendments.  On June 23, the Commonwealth Court held a hearing on the Request for Summary Relief filed by the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) to halt the implementation of the adopted 2009 International Building Codes. This followed the court's denial of a preliminary injunction request in March. The main object of the PBA is to stop implementation of the sprinkler requirement in the 2009 International Residential Code. AIA Pennsylvania filed an amicus brief in support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the preliminary injunction phase. The summary relief was denied by the court.

In May and then in November of this year, we wrote to the Senate opposing any amendments to HB 1196, PN 3518 based solely on the need to respect the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council (UCC RAC). As a result of our efforts and others, this legislation did not pass this session.

AIA Pennsylvania will continue to monitor threats to the Uniform Construction Code.  

Mandate Waivers - Senate Bill 250, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), was amended in the Senate as part of budget negotiations. The amendment extended the mandate waiver program, but allows the Department of Education (PDE) to grant Section 751 waivers only when a school district in its mandate waiver application intends to solicit both multiple and prime bids and will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder. PDE could revoke a waiver if the school district fails to follow through on its stated intention. AIA Pennsylvania is pleased to have succeeded in maintaining the mandate waiver program.  However, we have already started to gear up for the new session with our education partners to work toward  improving the mandate waiver program.

Unlicensed Practice of Architecture
AIA Pennsylvania succeeded in having the Department of State elevate unlicensed architectural practice complaints to a high priority status.  AIA Pennsylvania, as a service to its members, reviews, investigates, and files licensure complaints with the State Architects Licensure Board. AIA Pennsylvania worked hard to prevent unlicensed Architects from operating in the Commonwealth in 2010 and will continue these efforts in 2011. 

AIA Pennsylvania worked on several other legislative priorities that did not pass, primarily due to the state's fiscal situation.

Green Legislation - House Bill 444, the High Performance State Funding Standards Act, sponsored by Rep. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny), passed the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. The bill was then amended in committee, but was never heard on the floor. The main issue was how to get the funding for the projects.

AIA Pennsylvania continues to work with environmental groups to help promote the business of architecture by actively supporting green legislation.

Historic Preservation - House Bill 42, the Historic Preservation Incentives Act, sponsored by Rep. Bob Freeman (D-Northampton), passed the House of Representatives and moved to the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee. The legislation had funding concerns so it did not move through the process. This legislation, like HB 444, will have challenges going in to the 2011-12 budget. We will continue to monitor and work with our coalition partners to get historic preservation incentives passed in Pennsylvania.


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As a consequence of the elections, the Senate and House elected new leaders for the 2011-2013 Legislative Session. They are as follows: