Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
04/30/2025 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB182 | |
| HB178 | |
| HB193 | |
| HB178 | |
| HB193 | |
| HB173 | |
| SB54 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 182 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 178 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 193 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 173 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 54 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SB 54-EXT ARCH, ENG, SURVEY BRD; REG INT DESIGN
5:29:56 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the final order of business would
be CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 54(FIN), "An
Act relating to registered interior designers and interior
design; relating to project costs for the construction,
enlargement, or improvement of airports; extending the
termination date of the State Board of Registration for
Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors; relating to the State
Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors; establishing requirements for the practice of
registered interior design; relating to the practice of
architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape
architecture, and registered interior design; relating to the
scope of the certification requirements for architects,
engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, and registered
interior designers; relating to immunity for design
professionals; relating to the cost of construction for
recreation centers; relating to liens for labor or materials
furnished; relating to the procurement of landscape
architectural and interior design services; relating to the cost
of construction of safe water and hygienic sewage disposal
facilities in villages; and providing for an effective date."
5:30:58 PM
SENATOR MATT CLAMAN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor,
presented CSSB 54(FIN). He gave a sponsor statement for CSSB
54(FIN) [included in the committee file], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Senate Bill 54 will extend the statutory authorization
for the Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors (AELS Board), add Registered Interior
Designers to the board's jurisdiction, and make
statutory
changes requested by the board. This bill will allow
the AELS Board to continue the important work of
regulating design professionals in Alaska and add a
qualified interior designer to the board.
The 2024 Sunset Audit of the AELS Board concluded that
the board served the public's interest and
recommended that it be extended by eight years. In
this bill, the AELS Board is taking the opportunity to
update outdated language based on their analysis since
the last sunset audit.
Another important part of SB 54 is the opportunity for
qualified interior designers to register with the
AELS Board. Those wishing to practice registered
interior design in buildings of public occupancy
within a
regulated scope of services impacting public health,
safety, or welfare will now have a pathway to
registration. SB 54 will allow designers practicing in
public occupancy buildings to be qualified to do so,
providing another measure of public safety protection
and risk-mitigation for commercial buildings. It will
increase the design professionals able to work
independently within the commercial real estate
industry.
Passage of SB 54 will allow Alaska to join other
forward-looking states in providing a construction
document stamp to allow registered interior designers
to submit their own work for permitting. These states
have recognized that increasing access to qualified
design professionals in the design and construction
marketplace means greater choice for consumers, cost
savings, greater opportunity for small businesses,
enhanced project teams, and improved completion
schedules. These states have maintained public safety
standards.
SB 54 will bring economic benefits by increasing
professional employment opportunities, providing
incentive to hire Alaskans for professional interior
design, attracting high-quality design talent to the
state,
encouraging small business, and expanding consumer
choices for qualified design professionals. SB 54
does not change the requirements or daily practice for
any other professional in design or construction
including architects, engineers, contractors, trades
people, decorators, or residential designers.
5:34:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how many interior designers are
practicing in Alaska.
SENATOR CLAMAN offered his belief that there may be hundreds of
interior designers practicing in Alaska.
5:35:30 PM
COLIN MAYNARD, Chair, Legislative Liaison Committee, Alaska
Board of Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors ("the board"),
gave invited testimony in support of CSSB 54(FIN). He stated
that the proposed legislation recognizes the contributions that
the board makes to public health, safety, and welfare. He
further noted that CSSB 54(FIN) recognizes that the board
follows all applicable statutes and regulations and provides an
eight year extension. He further noted that the proposed
legislation would make several statutory changes requested or
approved by the board, including altering the makeup of the
board; placing in statute the appropriate salary range for the
executive administrator; adding a Title Act for registered
interior designers which would allow qualified individuals to
practice independently; modifying and adding statutes at the
request of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and
the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC); and
modifying existing statutes to ensure that all design
professions are treated similarly by the State of Alaska. He
encouraged the passage of CSSB 54(FIN), so as to avoid the
sunset of the board which would begin on July 1, [2025].
MR. MAYNARD, in response to Representative Saddler's earlier
question, stated that there were about 55 individuals that had
active or inactive National Council for Interior Design
Qualification (NCIDQ) certifications and commented that there
are typically as many out-of-state registrants as there are in-
state registrants. He estimated that there could be 100 to 200
interior designers who held certifications in Alaska.
MR. MAYNARD, in response to an additional question from
Representative Saddler, further noted that there are a lot of
individuals who do not have the NCIDQ certification, as it was
not currently necessary, but may be in the future.
5:38:18 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN noted that the proposed legislation makes a
distinction between registered interior designers and interior
designers in the state. He suspected that there are likely
thousands of individuals who might be considered interior
designers in Alaska and gave examples such as kitchen, bathroom,
or small home remodels that included interior design. He
predicted that under the provisions of CSSB 54(FIN),
approximately 40 to 75 individuals would seek registration. He
reiterated that he does not expect the majority of individuals
who provide interior design services to seek registration under
the proposed legislation.
5:39:31 PM
DANA NUNN, Chair, Governor Advocacy Committee, American Society
of Interior Designers (ASID), Alaska Chapter, replied that there
are 54 active or inactive NCIDQ certificate-holders in Alaska,
currently, who would be directly affected by CSSB 54(FIN). She
commented that she was aware of an additional six individuals in
the process of taking the NCIDQ exam. She anticipated that
there were an additional 40 to 60 individual designers in Alaska
that provide residential, kitchen, and bathroom design. She
noted that there are many more who might qualify as interior
designers, such as the person selling a countertop at a home
improvement retailer like Home Depot or Spenard Builders Supply.
She asserted that CSSB 54(FIN) would incentivize interior
designers to come and reside in Alaska. She further compared
the number of interior designers currently in Alaska to the
number of landscape architects in Alaska prior to the
registration of landscape architecture and predicted that the
number of interior designers in Alaska would grow as a result of
the proposed legislation in a manner similar to the number of
landscape architects. She provided a personal anecdote, noting
that a former assistant of hers left the state due to the lack
of registration for interior designers.
5:41:22 PM
MATT BARUSCH, Director, Government Affairs, Council for Interior
Design Qualification, gave invited testimony in support of CSSB
54(FIN). He gave prepared remarks [included in the committee
file], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
On behalf of the Council for Interior Design
Qualification (CIDQ), I write to you today in support
of Senate Bill 54, which would protect the health,
safety, and welfare of the public if passed.
CIDQ is the premiere certifying organization for
interior design professionals. Our organization
develops and administers the three-part NCIDQ
Examination, the national interior design
certification examination utilized by U.S.
jurisdictions for interior design registration or
licensure, which assesses the competency of candidates
to protect the public through the practice of interior
design. With a membership comprised of state
regulatory boards from across the United States and
Canada, our organization takes seriously the
responsibility to protect the public's health, safety
and welfare, a responsibility our certified interior
designers share.
NCIDQ-Certified Interior Designers are required to
undergo formal postsecondary education and thousands
of hours of paid, supervised experience to sit for the
examination, which tests interior designers' knowledge
of core competencies required for professional
practice in the industry. This combination of
education, experience, and examination helps ensure
minimal competency of our certificate holders in the
distinct practice of interior design, most of which
practice in commercial, codebased environments like
office buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools, etc. Our
certificate holders are trained, tested, and qualified
to design safe, functional public spaces in their
practice.
Reasonable regulation of interior designers utilizing
the NCIDQ Exam provides a means of offering the state
and the public assurance that interior designers are
qualified to practice in a manner that protects the
public in Alaskan public spaces. CIDQ is prepared and
committed to working with the Alaska AELS board and
staff, as we do with all our member boards, to
implement this bill, to protect health, safety, and
welfare, and ensure that practicing Registered
Interior Designers in Alaska are trained and
competent. We thank the committee for considering this
legislation and ask for a favorable report on this
bill. Thank you, and I'm happy to be a resource to the
committee to answer questions about the NCIDQ exam.
MR. BARUSCH further reported that interior design professionals
are regulated in 29 states, in addition to Washington D.C. and
Puerto Rico. He stated that CSSB 54(FIN) would adopt a
framework consistent with the majority of states.
5:42:18 PM
JESSICA CEDERBERG, American Institute of Architects Alaska (AIA
Alaska), gave invited testimony during the hearing on CSSB
54(FIN). She gave prepared remarks [included in the committee
file], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
We would like to take this opportunity to update you
on our current position related to SB54. AIA Alaska
worked with Senator Claman and NCIDQ interior
designers to address our primary concerns that were
part of previously proposed interior design
legislation. We appreciate SB54 Sponsor's willingness
to compromise by offering a Title Act rather than the
Practice Act bills that were proposed in previous
sessions. Establishing a Title Act is the essential
condition for AIA Alaska to remove opposition and
remain neutral to interior design regulation. AIA
Alaska does not support interior design registration
through a Practice Act.
Senator Claman introduced SB 54 this session as a
Title Act, with language to allow permitting
privileges for interior designers through the use of a
stamp (seal). AIA Alaska appreciates the clarity
provided by Legislative Counsel, Conran Gunther in his
January 15, 2025 memo that accompanied the draft bill.
He stated, "A title act does not require a license to
practice an occupation, rather it establishes an
optional license that allows a person to use a
protected title when practicing that occupation." He
further stated, "[This bill draft] does not prohibit
the practice of interior design by a person who does
not use the title 'registered interior designer.'"
This is articulated in Sec. [15] of the bill.
We understand that changes to bills often occur during
the legislative process, and we will participate in
hearings and meetings to ensure that SB54 remains a
Title Act bill. If any revisions occur to this bill
that change the intent of the bill from being a Title
Act with permitting privileges, AIA Alaska will
reevaluate our position.
Again, thank you for ongoing attention to this matter
and your service to our community.
MS. CEDERBERG corrected discussion in prior committee that
purported that interior designers were required to register to
practice due to federal contracting requirements. She said that
there were alternatives to practice, such as the NCIDQ
certification. She reported that there were currently 300
interior designers registered in Alaska, with only 21 holding
NCIDQ certificates. She thanked the committee for their
attention to the matter.
5:45:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER requested written testimony from the
invited testifiers.
SENATOR CLAMAN replied that written testimony could be found in
the bill file.
5:47:29 PM
KRIS CURTIS, Auditor, Division of Legislative Audit, Legislative
Agencies and Offices, reported conclusions from the sunset
review of the State Board of Registration for Architects,
Engineers, and Land Surveyors. She noted there were no
recommendations for improvements. She stated that an eight-year
extension was recommended for the board. She reported that, as
of January 2024, there were 6,028 registrants, which represented
a 10 percent decrease from the 2016 audit. She additionally
reported that the board had a surplus of $1.2 million in January
2024. She stated that management concurred with the audit and
agreed with the full eight year extension proposed under CSSB
54(FIN).
5:48:34 PM
MS. CURTIS, in response to a question from Representative
Saddler, stated that, without extension, the board would be
terminated on July 1, 2025, and it would go into a one-year
winddown period.
MS. CURTIS, in response to a follow-up question from
Representative Saddler, responded that the audit looked only at
the board extension proposed under CSSB 54(FIN) using criteria
determined by Alaska Statute and did not have any opinion or
recommendations on the other provisions of the proposed
legislation.
5:49:23 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS set an amendment deadline for SB 54.
[CSSB 54(FIN) was held over.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 178 Sectional Analysis Version A 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Testimony - Received as of 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Sponsor Statement Version A 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Version A 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| AKPIRG Medical Debt in Alaska Report 2.2024.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Version A 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 HL&C Bill Packet 4.25.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Supporting Document-Medical Debt PPT 4.25.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| PHY_-_Letter_of_Support_HB173_SB_172_-_Occupational_Therapy_Licensure_Compact_-_04-18-2025_-_final.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 SB 172 |
| HB 173 AKOTA Letter of Support.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 |
| HB 173 Alaska OT Workforce Report Bracciano 04-25.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 |
| HB 173 Member State Map 04-25.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 |
| HB 173 AJOT Explanation 01-22.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 |
| HB173 Sectional Analysis 04.09.25.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 |
| HB173 Sponsor Statement 04.09.25.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 |
| HB173 Version A.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 |
| 3. HB 182 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 182 |
| 4. HB 182 Support Document.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 182 |
| 2. HB 182 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 182 |
| HB0182A.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 182 |
| HB182-DCCED-AMCO-04-25-25.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 182 |
| SB 54 Sponsor Statement Version H 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Supporting Document-ASID Report 3.9.2023.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Supporting Document-Letter-AIA 2.3.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Supporting Document-Letter-ENSTAR 2.26.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Supporting Document-Letters of Support Combined.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Supporting Document-Sunset Review of AELS Board 4.7.2024.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Supporting Document-USACE Contract Opportunity 1.31.2024.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Explanation of Changes Ver. G to Ver. H (SFIN).pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Explanation of Changes Ver. I to Ver. G (SL&C).pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Legal Memo 1.5.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Legal Memo 4.7.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| SB 54 Sectional Analysis Version H 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| UITF_HB193_Analysis_Revised.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 4.23.25 HLC Hearing Revised Follow-up Item.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| SB0054D.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |
| HB0173A.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 |
| SB 54 AIA AK Position on 4.29.25 (1).pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 54 |