The State Government Network (SGN) has identified building codes, taxation, design/build, and tort reform as priority and emerging issues for AIA members in a poll of its members conducted by AIA Government Affairs.

For the past three years, the national AIA component has asked the SGN annually to assist in identifying prominent areas of member concern. The AIA State and Local Government Affairs team then uses the information to help anticipate legislative activity and inform and target government affairs planning and strategy.

Top issues
Over the three years of the survey, building codes have been the issue about which members have expressed their greatest concerns, perhaps because the work of the International Codes Committee (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to develop a set of uniform building codes has helped spotlight this issue. In 2002, the building code issue shared the top spot along with taxation, the survey indicates.

Taxes clearly were on the minds of many of the SGN respondents, in part because budget woes are prompting legislatures and state executives to seek alternative sources of revenue. When grouping the first, second, and third priority responses by issue, taxes received the highest number of responses. A total of 12 states indicated that taxation was a concern in 2002. The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that 16 states raised taxes in 2002 to help close their budget deficits. More specifically, six states raised their sales taxes, while nine states increased their corporate and business taxes. The AIA Government Affairs team will continue to monitor tax legislation and executive action, especially as it relates to taxes on professional services.

In previous years, taxation was not as highly ranked, presumably because of flush economic conditions in the states. In 2000, in fact, this issue was listed only by two states (New Hampshire and Vermont) as a third priority.

Other sources of concern
Design/build was also highlighted by state components in 2002. Responses from across the country indicate design/build is becoming a more prevalent topic nationwide.

The number of respondents who say tort reform is a priority issue may presage the future legal environment for AIA members. Architects, contractors, building owners, and insurance companies appear to be increasingly worried about the liability implications of toxic mold, a burgeoning health and public policy issue. The Toxic Mold Protection Act has already become law in California, and similar measures are expected in other legislatures the coming year.

Get involved in SGN!
The network allows state components and their member-based government affairs committees to facilitate identification of emerging and priority advocacy issues for architects. Its annual survey is only as robust as the number and diversity of AIA members who voice their opinions in state component legislative committees. To get involved in the annual survey and learn about other SGN activities, send an email to the AIA Government Affairs department or your state component.

—Jonathan Levy and Tracy Ostroff

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.