Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/05/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB54 | |
| SB86 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 54 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 86 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 54-EXT ARCH, ENG, SURVEY BRD; REG INT DESIGN
1:34:51 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE
FOR SENATE BILL NO. 54 "An Act relating to registered interior
designers and interior design; 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 by partnerships; relating to the scope of the
certification requirements for architects, engineers, land
surveyors, landscape architects, and registered interior
designers; relating to liens for labor or materials furnished;
relating to the procurement of landscape architectural and
interior design services; and providing for an effective date."
1:35:25 PM
SARENA HACKENMILLER, Staff, Senator Matt Claman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided a brief recap of SB 54 and
stated that SB 54 accomplishes three key objectives. First, it
extends the statutory authorization for the Board of Architects,
Engineers, and Land Surveyors (AELS). Second, it brings
registered interior designers under the board's jurisdiction.
Third, it incorporates statutory changes requested by the board.
1:36:50 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 54.
1:37:27 PM
CATHERINE FRITZ, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified
with concerns on SB 54 and stated that first, she opposes
expanding the AELS Board from 11 to 13 members, the board
doesn't need separate seats for mechanical and electrical
engineers, an issue already resolved by Senate Bill 126 in 2023.
Second, adding a seat for registered interior designers given
the very small number of eligible professionals in Alaska and
the limited pool for board service. Allowing interior designers
to sit on the board contradicts the intent of SB 54, which does
not restrict the practice of interior design but only the use of
a specific title. Lastly, she opposes Section 5 of SB 54, which
includes non-code related items in the definition of interior
design.
1:41:02 PM
ELIZABETH GOEBEL, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 54.
1:41:43 PM
MELISSA WILTFONG, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 54.
1:42:13 PM
BARBARA CASH, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 54, extending the AELS Board and creating
registration for interior designers. SB 54 benefits Alaska by
keeping design work and fees in state for federal projects
requiring registration. She said SB 54 still allows all interior
designers to continue practicing as they do now. Those who
choose to register will gain the ability to stamp and submit
drawings independently for permitting.
1:44:00 PM
M. ELISE HUGGINS, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 54.
1:45:33 PM
LARRY CASH, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 54.
1:46:30 PM
CASEY KEE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 54.
1:47:13 PM
JESSICA CEDERBURG, President, American Institute of Architects
(AIA), Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 54 and
stated that AIA appreciates the sponsors of SB 54 for offering a
title act instead of the previously proposed practice act. This
approach allows AIA Alaska to remove opposition and stay neutral
on interior design regulation. SB 54 allows optional licensure
with permitting privileges via a stamp, without restricting
unlicensed practice.
1:49:44 PM
DANA NUNN, Chair, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID),
Alaska Advocacy Committee, testified in support of SB 54.
1:50:45 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 54.
1:51:10 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN held SB 54 in committee.