Uniting the interior design profession (again)

[Below is a guest commentary by a retired interior designer who lives in Southern California. She wrote to me this morning and asked if I would publish this for her]:

Today the Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean pleaded with the 30-member Rules and Bylaws Committee to find a resolution that will unite the party heading into the November election. “We are strong enough to struggle and disagree and even be angry and disappointed and still come together at the end of the day and be united.”

According to the CLCID website, in 1984-85 there was a real threat to the practice of interior desgn and the various design associations came together and worked for seven years to get certification established and running:

• 1984-85 – Senator John Seymour’s SB 790 sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and California Board of Architectural Examiners passes legislature and is signed by Governor George Deukmejian without opposition. SB 790 restricted practicing all design and submission of plans to building departments except those drawn under the supervision of CA licensed architects and engineers.
  
• 1990 – Senator Craven introduces SB 153. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Board of Architectural Examiners oppose it. Negotiation with both Architects and Contractors for an Interior Designers Practice Act is unsuccessful.
  
• 1990 – After being amended to “Certification” recognition, SB 153 passes through the legislative process in both the Senate and Assembly. SB 153 is approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Deukmejian.
  
• Late 1990 – A Task Force is convened to form a certifying board.
  
• 1991 – Senator Craven authors SB 667 to amend the interior design statute section on grandparenting.
  
• 1991 – A certifying board for interior design is formed as a non-profit 501(c)(6) and titled the California Council for Interior Design Certification ( CCIDC), and the CLCID Board of Directors approves it. The CCIDC Board of Directors is established and staff is hired.
  
• 1992 – CCIDC commences certification for eligible interior designers.

Certification of interior designers that is recognized by the state and yet not burdened by the state has been praised by many including the Institute for Justice. Page 4 Executive Summary “Designing Cartels” says:

“Legislators should critically examine the need for new titling and icensure laws and
consider repealing existing regulations of questionable value. Instead, self-certification
through professional associations or non-profit boards, as in California, can help designers
and other professionals distinguish themselves without needless government oversight
that serves only to keep out aspiring entrepreneurs.”

With the recent SB 1312 that IDCC(ASID) and IIDA tried to force through (at the expense of the Calif. Architects Board, thousands of design professionals and students), they seem to have judged self-certification as inadequate, as some kind of inferior step-child to state licensing. With enormous state budget problems and no emergency status, SB 1312 died appropriately.

I do not wish for another SB 790 to bring the interior design profession together. But it would be great if everyone remembered it and realized how much can be accomplished when the profession is united.

Énóvo, the intelligent home

Inhabitat reports  “The Canada based Énóvo House features a sleek modular assembly that’s designed to evolve as the needs of its inhabitants change. Its elegant, angular structure makes excellent use of materials to maximize square footage, and its versatile design is able to adapt to any type of terrain and any climate condition.”

Énóvo’s highlights:

• The house was designed around a central courtyard that incorporates nature’s elements.

• It features a green roof consisting entirely of living plants
• Radiant flooring that stores calorific energy
• Vast windows that facilitate closeness to the environment while increasing energy performance through their large supply of natural light.
• Ready-to-assemble modular structures the house melts into its environment, adapts to the lifestyle, the needs and the evolution of those living in it.
• Choice of cathedral ceilings or low ceilings, open spaces or intimate spaces, small secret rooms or large open concept rooms, it’s all possible….
• Will adapt to any type of terrain and to any climate condition including blizzards, earthquakes and flooding.
• The home automation management system offers solutions for optimal use of the available resources.

146 mpg for Rocklin, CA residents

An entrepreneurial mother has bought a golf cart business and transformed it into an electric car dealership in Rocklin, California called Electric Car Living.

On May 30th and 31st she is introducing a new affordable electric car design called the ZAP Xebra. The event is Friday from 3pm to 7pm and Saturday from 11am to 3pm.

“ZAP says its Xebra electric city-car and truck cost from 1-3 cents per mile while gasoline costs 15-20 cents per mile. ZAP’s research into used gasoline cars shows that average late model used cars average between 15-22 MPG. On a pure energy consumption basis, the ZAP Xebra can get about 146 MPG.”

See CNN Money for this article

ZAP Electric Cars now in Central Valley

VISALIA, California

“A new kind of electric car and truck are taking gas prices head-on in California’s Central Valley. The gas-free vehicles are from California automaker ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) and are now available in Visalia.”

Three associations speak about the defeat of SB 1312

[also read comments]

CLCID’s News Release

SB 1312 Stalls in Senate

Sacramento, CA, May 29, 2008 – - In the face of growing opposition, Senate Bill 1312 was removed from consideration and not voted on by the State Senate. The bill cannot be considered again in the Senate this year.

SB 1312 is strongly opposed by the California Legislative Coalition for Interior Design (CLCID) who for the last twenty five years has served as the primary interior design coalition in the state of California. The membership consists of California Chapter Members of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, Interior Design Society and International Furnishing and Design Association, independent Interior Designers, Individual Members affiliated with the American Society of Interior Designers or International Interior Design Association, students, educators, and individuals in the interior design industry.

The legislation was also opposed by the Community College League of California who is concerned the bill would have a devastating impact on careers of current and future students who attend community colleges who would not be eligible to become registered interior designers.

The opponents successfully argued that SB 1312 is a restrictive practice act that would deny access to practice registered interior design to current interior designers who have professional experience, but who didn’t graduate from schools with specific qualifications.

The California Architects Board, who would have be called upon to administer the regulation opposed SB 1312 stating the cost to be approximately $1.5 million per year, adding unnecessary cost and administrative overhead to the interior design industry that must be passed on to the consumer.

CLCID wishes to thank the many individuals and organizations that opposed SB 1312. The organizations who lobbied to defeat SB 1312 include:

California Building Officials (CALBO), Community College League of California, National Kitchen and Bath Association – California Chapters (NKBA), American Institute of Architects – (AIA California Council), California Architects Board (CAB), Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), California Legislative Coalition for Interior Design (CLCID), Los Rios Community College District, The Interior Design Society (IDS) – California, Western Home Furnishings Association, Lumber Association of California & Nevada, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) – Northern Calif. Chapter, The Home Depot, American Lighting Association (ALA), American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD) and the California Retailers Association.

#########################################################################

IDCC’s Home Page Statement

Latest developments regarding SB 1312

Our author, Senator Leland Yee, decided not to take up SB 1312 before the full Senate because of mounting opposition and concerns that were raised, some legitimate and many that were not grounded in fact. The Interior Design Coalition of California will continue to work diligently to listen to and address concerns by those opposed to the bill to bring this important issue back to the legislature.

On behalf of IDCC, we want to thank all of you for your hard work to help pass SB 1312, legislation that would provide a pathway for designers to become “registered.”

SB 1312 was written to provide the greatest amount of flexibility for the interior design community, creating a voluntary pathway to become a registered interior designer without impacting those that are currently practicing and who may not wish to register.

Equally important, we wanted to make sure that those who are studying to become a designer, either at a community college, or at a private or public college or university, have the broadest opportunities possible.

SB 1312 has received tremendous support from across California including educators, students, design professionals and a host of others. That support was necessary as we worked our way through the State Senate. Because of all of your hard work, SB 1312 was approved by two Senate committees ­ Business and Professions and Appropriations.

Along the way there were a number of issues raised and we worked very hard to make sure that each of those issues were addressed in a straightforward fashion to improve the bill, and it has been duly amended to reflect a solution for those issues.

Thank you once again for all of your hard work.

##########################################################################

Interior Design Protection Council

SB 1312 dies in Senate!

SB 1312, a practice act, was withdrawn from the the Senate agenda today, and given the status of “inactive” due to the tremendous outpouring of opposition. In spite of intense lobbying by ASID and IDCC, as well as support by several influential Senators, in the end, the majority of clear-thinking members of the Senate could not overlook the logical, statistical, and factual documentation presented in rebuttal to misleading and mendacious statements made by the proponents of SB 1312. Many Senators stated that they had received “stacks” of letters in opposition and confirmed that the phone calls in opposition greatly outnumbered those of the proponents. Allegedly, only 9 Senators were willing to vote “yes” to SB 1312, so the bill was removed rather than be voted down by such a large margin. One of the most important voices in opposition was that of the Community College Leage, advocating on behalf of many thousands of students who would have been negatively impacted by SB 1312. Many other groups joined IDPC in actively opposing this anti-competitive bill: CADAL, NKBA, AIA, IDD, AICAD, IFDA, IDS, DANA, CALBO, CBA, as well as many Allied ASID and independent designers. This joint collaboration produced the overwhelming amount of opposition which resulted in the bill’s demise. The question on everyone’s lips, “will they be back next year?” Probably. But strategies are being formed, right now, to ensure that another state-imposed regulatory monopoly scheme never sees the light of day in California. But for today, celebrate your victory in protecting your right to practice! Patti Morrow Executive Director INTERIOR DESIGN PROTECTION COUNCIL

Contact Us info@IDPCinfo.org

R.I.P. – SB 1312 died in the Ca. Senate May 29, 2008

[also read comments]

Senate Bill 1312 (Yee) on Registered Interior Designers was to be voted on today by the entire Senate.

It was sentenced to the inactive file.

Good RIDdance to bad rubbish. The RID legislation was a mess of a bill.

Inactive File: The portion of the Daily File containing legislation that is ready for floor consideration, but, for a variety of reasons, is dead or dormant. www.leginfo.ca.gov/glossary.html

Alt Car Expo – Sept. 26-27, 2008, in Santa Monica

A great reason to get down to L.A. this September,  www.altcarexpo.com

IF SB 1312 passes . . .

[My blog is now getting the attention of many people who have alot of experience and understanding in legislative matters. One such person wrote to me and wishes to stay anonymous.  The following is in answer to Bruce Goff's comment about NCIDQ/Int. Des. Experience Program where he said, ..."wrong again. the language only requires experience. ok ladies and gentlemen lets all get off the Q site and go back just to the bill. Q does not get to say what we do. end of story."]

Anonymous wrote:

“Tell that to those poor souls who have to deal with the letter of the law if this bill passes. What Mr. Goff doesn’t understand is that after a bill is chaptered into law it gets interpreted exactly as it is written, not how Mr. Goff “feels” it should after the fact. “Oh, that’s not what we intended, sorry!”

Section 5732 of SB 1312 says “The committee “may” issue a certificate of registration to a person who meets “both” of the following requirements”.

It doesn’t say “shall” which is more definitive, and it does say “both.

“1. May lawfully represent himself or herself as a “certified interior designer” pursuant to Section 5812″.

“2. Submits an application to the board before January 1, 2011″.

What he doesn’t realize is that will be only 2 years from the date of this bill becoming actual law [January 1, 2009] and that the state won’t even have an application form by that date. The board will have to go through all kinds of administrative and public hearings with stakeholders in order to determine fees, requirements, rules and regulations, etc.

“2b. The committee “may” issue a certificate of registration to a person who submits an application to the committee of one of the following:

1. Ten years of experience in interior design.

2. Eight years of experience in interior design and two years of education in interior design that is acceptable to the committee.

2c. A person registered pursuant to this section who has “not” passed the examination described in subdivision (e) of Section 5730  (NCIDQ) within the first two renewal periods shall, as a condition of renewal of his or her certificate of registration, show proof acceptable to the committee of both of the following:

(1) Passage of Section 1 of the examination described in subdivision (e) of Section 5730 (NCIDQ).

(2) Completion of 15 hours of committee approved continuing education coursework (etc.)

5733. Before being issued a certificate of registration you have to at your own personal expense travel all the way to Sacramento and appear before “the committee” and swear an oath.   —– Even doctors don’t do that anymore!!!

Basically this bill subjugates all those who wish to become, or have to become, an RID to the NCIDQ process one way or another. This bill does NOT subjugate the NCIDQ to state law or state will. No matter what Bruce Goff says to the contrary he, and the state of California have no control over the NCIDQ and they will do what they want, not what this “committee” or California wants. It will not matter one bit if California has a seat on NCIDQ’s delegates council because California will have only one vote .  THIS IS A LOSE LOSE LOSE proposition for California.

Sample letter OPPOSING SB 1312

THANKS to Patti Morrow of IDPC for this great letter opposing SB 1312. (Edited to suit blog)
FAX YOUR LETTERS BY MAY 28

THE SENATE WILL BE VOTING ON THIS BILL ON THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2008.
THE HEARING STARTS AT 9:00 A.M. WHICH YOU CAN WATCH ON THE CALIFORNIA CHANNEL!!!!!
Download list of Senators here.

—————————————————————————————-

Re: OBJECTION to SB 1312 – Regulation of Interior Designers

Dear Senator ________,

I am writing to you to express my strong objection to SB 1312. This legislation does not meet the criteria of protecting the public health.

• SB 1312 is UNNECESSARY. The only reason to regulate an entire profession is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. There has been no evidence presented anywhere that the unregulated practice of interior design places the public in any jeopardy. In Item #14 of the CA Sunrise Report, the proponents were requested to “cite cases of or instances of consumer injury.” Not even one example was listed. Further, in Item #15 the proponents were asked how the proposed regulation would preclude consumer injury, and they replied, “There is no method to preclude injury from regulated professions.” In Item #36, in answer to the question “To what extent is public harm caused by personal factors such as dishonesty?” again, not one example was offered. Therefore, there is no reason, either evidentially or proactively, to regulate interior design.

• SB 1312 is UNTRUTHFUL, The claim by IDCC/ASID that they need this law because of their inability to get drawings approved with the new IBC is simply false. CA does not use the IBC; they use the CBC, and there has been no evidence that plans which adhere to the proper criteria have been rejected. The truth is, over 30,000 of 40,000 permits issued by LADBS each year do not require design by a licensed engineer or architect.

• SB 1312 is UNATTAINABLE. SB 1312 would be detrimental to students. The bill requires that they work under an NCIDQ-certified designer for 2 to 4 years before qualifying for the exam, but since there are not nearly enough NCIDQ-certified designers to hire the number of graduating students each year, the overwhelming majority of CA students would be excluded from providing any of the services listed under the scope of “registered interior design” and ultimately be forced to move to another state to practice their chosen profession.

• SB 1312 is UNWARRANTED. Consumers are already adequately protected by codes and inspections, which must be adhered to whether a designer is licensed or not. The Federal Trade Commission concluded that regulation of interior design would result in higher cost and fewer consumer choices.

• SB 1312 is UNECONOMICAL. This bill is not fiscally-neutral, but would have a negative impact on the California economy as it is a restrictive, anti-competitive and anti-consumer bill. Taxpayer funding of over $1.6 million would be necessary to implement and enforce SB 1312. That’s a lot of money for a program that is totally unnecessary.

• SB 1312 is UNFAIR. With the downturn in the housing market and the slowing economy, providing a state-sanctioned regulatory monopoly advantage for a small handful of designers would literally result in thousands of others being put out of business, thus taking their incomes right out of the economy and their tax dollars right out of the state treasury.

• SB 1312 is UNWELCOMED. The push to regulate interior design has come about not through public demand or legislative determinations, but mainly through the efforts of ASID and NCIDQ [founded by ASID in 1974]. Every other organization that is in any way involved in or with interior design opposes such legislation. See attached list of organizations.

• SB 1312 is UNGOVERNABLE. No matter what the state board sets as requirements, they have no control over what NCIDQ determines as its own qualifications to sit for the exam, creating a situation of de facto legislation, whereby an outside party is able to change a law without knowledge or consent of the legislature. ASID/NCIDQ may, for the sake of getting a foot in the door, set the requirements low, but please note that the proponents’ goal for criteria is “minimum of a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for accreditation beginning 1/1/2010.” (From Practice to Profession, ASID, page 27.)

• SB 1312 is UNSUPPORTED. Last year, 24 interior design bills were rejected by the legislature or governors. So far this year, every state that has considered interior design regulation has declined to enact. In his 2007 veto message, Governor Daniels of Indiana said that the “principal effect” of legislation would be to “restrain competition and limit new entrants into the occupation.”

California already has a very successful and voluntary Certified Interior Program in place which is serving the consumer well and is not taxpayer funded. Enacting SB 1312 would be a lose-lose-lose-lose proposition for designers, students, consumers, and the California economy.

I respectfully urge you to join legislators in other states who have considered and rejected anti-competitive, unnecessary regulation.

Very sincerely,

NCIDQ Interior Design Experience Program IDEP

[be sure to read COMMENTS in this post]

Supporters argue that SB 1312 “does NOT use the NCIDQ standards, but allows the states to set them. Specifically no CIDA school requirements, no fixed internship – just work experience.”

The opposition isn’t focusing on CIDA school requirements or fixed internship. They ARE focused on the work experience… and just check it out! This WORK EXPERIENCE requirement IS just terrible for students coming out of design school now.

This is straight from the NCIDQ WEB SITE: SEE ” Supervised Experience Requirement”
http://brentwilliams.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/ncidq-intdesexperienceprogram.pdf

It’s amazing how IDCC changes the subject in midstream. Slick, but very transparent.

From a design educator on SB 1312, NCIDQ and her students

[be sure to read the COMMENTS to this post]

A design educator wrote to me the following:

“Brent,

The problem is with WORK EXPERIENCE (not the two, three or four years education). As of Jan. 1, ‘08 WORK EXPERIENCE has to be under a “registered”, “licensed” interior designer, or an “NCIDQ certificate holder” or an “architect who practices interior design”.

All our students who are graduating this year (and beyond) WILL HAVE TO find their work experience with one of the above.

In our present ‘down’ economy – - which is predicted by experts to be down for at least 18-24 months, hiring is slow at best, and many firms, I am told, are eliminating jobs altogether.

SO NOW, under SB 1312, our students who have spent many years and small fortunes studying interior design, will have to take the NCIDQ that doesn’t test them on Title 24 and so they will have to learn that which doesn’t even apply to them in California, that is, IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE to take the exam, when the ONLY WORK EXPERIENCE they can obtain before applying HAS TO BE UNDER one of the above-listed professionals.

This legislation really burns me up. It is so unfair to our students . I do believe that many of our graduates will have a VERY DIFFICULT TIME getting the so-called “right kind” of experience that it will take them many years before they will be able to become “Registered” under SB 1312.

I fear that some of our graduating students who are not able to get jobs will start working for themselves and they will unknowingly violate the RID law and face government fines. And even if they did work for themselves or found good work with some talented and experienced designers, NONE OF IT WOULD COUNT towards their NCIDQ exam.”

AIA-California does NOT want SB 1312

[be sure to read comments below]

AIA California Council (AIACC):
Mark Christian, Director of Legislative Affairs for the AIACC, recently said on the
prospect of this issue dissipating in the near future: “We are finding the proponents of
interior design regulation to be well-financed and very determined. They hired a highly
regarded lobbying firm and chose a respected and effective state senator to carry their
bill. Even if they are not successful this year, we have no doubt they will modify their
arguments and try again.”
The AIACC is currently working very closely with the interior design community,
California Architects Board, California Building Officials, and others opposed to S.B.
1312 and has worked to educate others on the effect of the bill. They have met with
several state senators, legislative staff, executive staff, and appointees to explain why
S.B. 1312 is not needed and are currently implementing a targeted letter writing campaign.
- – Source: http://www.aia.org/SiteObjects/files/ID%20addendum1.pdf

Comment: I just have to laugh over the “insanity” of IDCC/ASID/IIDA to introduce a Practice Act UNDER the California Architects Board. Hahaha, — They don’t want interior designers on their board. They never have, and they never will. What are you guys smoking?!?!??

“My school is better than their school…”

I’ve “appalled” a certain hard-line educator who has a “stake” in ASID, NCIDQ, IIDA and IDEC.

Her school is “and has been proudly CIDA (FIDER) accredited for almost 25 years; we offer a BFA in interior design”

She further wrote that the community college programs that teach interior design are “not in as much depth as a four-year program.”

And she wrote “It is NCIDQ’s mission “…to protect the health, life safety and welfare of the public by establishing standards of competence in the practice of interior design”.

NCIDQ may be an okay exam, BUT IT DOES NOT AND NEVER HAS COVERED CALIFORNIA CODES.

Interior design educators, please educate me on SB 1312

[see comment by DK on my About page a detailed explanation]

This afternoon I sent a letter to Interior Design EDUCATORS on the behalf of interior design students and how SB 1312 can affect them. Thus far, I was accused by one educator as follows:
He wrote: “The bill does not require any of the things you are indicating. Please stop distributing misinformation.”

IF I HAVE POSTED MISINFORMATION, PLEASE, DESIGN EDUCATORS, EDUCATE ME ON SB 1312. SEND COMMENTS, I WILL APPROVE THEM, SO THE INTERIOR DESIGN COMMUNITY CAN LEARN FROM YOU. THANKS.

——————————-

I wrote him back and said:

—–Original Message—–
From: brentwill@<snipped for post>
Sent: Sat, 24 May 2008 16:38:12 -0800
To: <snipped for post>@—.edu
Subject: REPLY: SB 1312: Interior Design Program, STUDENTS and Jobs

Dear Mr. __,

I am not distributing “misinformation”. The California Senate page publishes
the proposed legislation, and you can read it here:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1301-1350/sb_1312_bill_20080513_amended_sen_v96.html
and, (as shown below), it indicates the EDUCATION AND WORK requirements.

Now, if you are familiar with the NCIDQ, you would already know their requirement dictates WHO you can work for, before you get to sit for that exam. “This January a new requirement makes that experience only count if the job is supervised by an NCIDQ certificate-holder, or a licensed architect!”

PLEASE POINT OUT WHERE THERE IS MISINFORMATION so I can post it on my blog. Or if you would like
to publicly “comment”, please do so.

——————————————

MY LETTER TO EDUCATORS:

Hello,

I was wondering if you are aware of the STRICT EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS for the proposed
“Registered Interior Designer” bill (SB 1312).

Does your interior design program align with the education mandate this legislation sets forth?
Will your graduating students have a difficult time to get internships?
(they would need thousands of hours of work experience under an RID, NCIDQ certif holder or an architect before they can sit for the NCIDQ).

The Community College League of California is OPPOSED to SB 1312, maybe you should be too:
http://www.ccleague.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3645

The League says:
“SB 1312 is a bad and intrusive effort into the curricular standards of colleges. The work experience and education requirements of SB 1312 are onerous and at odds with educational programs…”

Your graduating students are eligible to apply for Certification and take the certification exam WITHOUT work experience. The exam they would take
is relevant to California codes. The NCIDQ does not cover California codes. Think about it. What is the better route for your students?

The Senate will vote on this the week of May 26 – May 30. If you oppose, Fax a letter or call your Senator. Your students will thank you.

Sincerely,
Brent Williams, designer/space planner
See my post: “I pity the design students”
at http://brentwilliams.wordpress.com/

——————————————

I pity the design students

[be sure to read comments below!]

SB 1312 is a bad piece of legislation. All you students will not be able to sit for the NCIDQ exam to start the process to become a Registered Interior Designer UNTIL you have  thousands of hours of experience working under an RID or someone who has passed the NCIDQ, or an architect.

IF YOU BELIEVE there are enough of these people *with jobs to offer you*, you are sadly mistaken. In addition, because you will be so desperate for these kinds of jobs you place yourself at the mercy of anyone who will hire you.

Students obviously have not understood this legislation and have been fed a bunch of baloney by ASID.

HERE’S SOME STUDENT FACTS about SB 1312
4. Registration 5730.
The committee shall issue a certificate of registration to a person who meets all of the
following requirements:
(a) Has not committed any of the acts listed in Section 5745 .
(b) Completes an application for a certificate on a form prescribed by the committee .
(c) Pays the registration fee prescribed by the committee pursuant to Section 5755 .
(d) Submits proof satisfactory to the committee of successful completion of one of the
following:
(1) A bachelor’s degree program in interior design and 3,520 hours of interior design experience, including 1,760 hours earned after the degree program is completed.
(2) A bachelor’s degree program in any major, no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate or degree, and 3,520 hours of interior design experience, including 1,760 hours earned after the degree program and coursework are completed.
(3) No less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree, or diploma and 5,280 hours of interior design experience earned after that coursework is completed.
(4) No less than 40 semester or 60 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree, or diploma and 7,040 hours of interior design experience earned after that coursework is completed.
(e) Submits proof of passage of the examination prepared and administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.

Appropriations okay’d SB 1312

Yesterday the Ca Senate Appropriations Committee gave the green light to SB 1312. It will go to the full Senate Floor for a vote sometime next week. ASID/IDCC is getting a run for their money and they must be very happy right now.  Read the Legislative Alert

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68 “mpg” hydrogen Honda coming in July

“Honda has just announced details of the leasing program for the new FCX Clarity fuel cell car…”

“The Clarity will be the first series “production” fuel cell vehicle available for lease to retail customers and the first examples will be delivered in July of this year.”

“American Honda expects to lease about 200 Claritys during the first three years of the program. Right now, Honda is filtering through the 50,000 people that have shown interest in the lease program. The majority of those people who will be ruled ineligible because they don’t live within range of a hydrogen filling station in the Los Angeles area.”

See AutoblogGreen for the story —- also here in AutoBlog’s “Prius-Fighting-Hybrid” article

Designers urged to scramble for SB 1312

[be sure to read comments below]

The fate of Senate Bill 1312 (the poorly written “voluntary Practice Act” for Registered Interior Designers) will be decided on Thurs. May 22nd. On both fronts, designers have been urged to fax Senators to either throw a rope to save it, or to send the monster to the underworld —but I think its a done deal already. My guess is it will die in suspense, never to be heard from again.

IDCC is still “hopeful” with this dog. Their home page says:

“It didn’t pass through to the Senate yet, …..”

Q. IDCC: Why are designers opposing SB 1312?

Moved up to May 20, 2008 as there are important on-going reader comments and discussion. [first published May 16, 2008]

[be sure to read comments below!, thanks for posting, Bruce...although I am still unclear about what the proposed law will do for us versus leaving things as they are.]

I’d like to know one thing.

If SB 1312 was such great legislation for designers, why isn’t everyone supporting it?

This is an open invitation for Bruce Goff (Director of Legislation /IDCC) to come back and tell us what the deal is and what you are trying to accomplish or anyone who understands this stuff is fine with me. But preferably I’d like to hear from someone directly from IDCC.

I mean, with all the exemptions, this bill now looks like old swiss cheese, full of holes and kind of smelly. And if not smelly, then at least someone over at IDCC needs to explain this thing.

[ also see CADAL "Eureka!..." posted elsewhere on this blog]

SB 1312 went to “suspense” today

[be sure to read comments below!]
Thank you Patti M. for letting us know we can listen to the hearing

LOTS OF SUPPORT, MAINLY FROM ASID, IIDA (about 19 testified in support)
LOTS OF OPPOSITION, NKBA, AIA, CAB some ASID, NARI, CLCID and others… (about 41 in opposition)
even Community College League of California is opposed

• “It’s the wrong bill at the wrong time”….

• “It will put me out of business”….

• “there is confusion in the bill…”

Dept. of Consumer Affairs Finance had comments….including ongoing costs would be $1.6 million, with fees established by regulation, there will probably have to be a loan from the general fund to get the program started.

Outcome:  SB 1312 went to suspense. Thanks to Bob T. who send me Frank Russo’s ( California Progress ) explanation of what suspense can mean for a bill. “They have been sent to purgatory–the “suspense file”–and if not moved out and passed will either become “two year bills” to be considered next year only–or they will be dead for the session.”

SB 1312 hearing today: Webcast or TV

THE CALIFORNIA CHANNEL HAS TV AND WEBCAST OF TODAYS SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE HEARING WHICH WILL GO OVER SB 1312

CHECK TV AND WEB SCHEDULE www.calchannel.com

Silver lining in high fuel costs

A Secret Cheer for Gas Prices

By Warren Brown

Sunday, May 18, 2008; Page G02

Largely thanks to government mandates and rising fuel prices, the green revolution is revving up in the global automobile industry.

Even Nissan, which once frowned on all things electric and hybrid, is planning to launch several fleets of electric vehicles aimed at markets such as New York and London and at commercial delivery enterprises worldwide.

Washington Post article:

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/15/AR2008051503023.html

Sun vs Wind: Energy turf war brewing in Germany

Excerpts:

“Thanks to its aggressive push into renewable energies, cloud-wreathed Germany has become an unlikely leader in the race to harness the sun’s energy. It has by far the largest market for photovoltaic systems, which convert sunlight into electricity, with roughly half of the world’s total installations. And it is the third-largest producer of solar cells and modules, after China and Japan.”

“Now, though, with so many solar panels on so many rooftops, critics say Germany has too much of a good thing — even in a time of record oil prices. Conservative lawmakers, in particular, want to pare back generous government incentives that support solar development.”

[further down in story...]

“Defenders of solar energy see the hand of Germany’s power companies behind the effort to change the law. Reducing incentives for solar would favor wind, which is a more natural fit for the utilities, since the cost of building wind farms is too high for the average homeowner with an empty roof and an urge to generate electricity.”

“Solar energy is more decentralized, so the industry sees more competition from solar than from wind,” said Carsten Körnig, the managing director of the German Solar Energy Association.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/16/business/worldbusiness/16solar.html

THIS IS A TURF BATTLE I’D LIKE TO SEE IN THE USA. But we’re not even serious players when it comes to solar and wind. You still have to be rich or take out a line of credit against your house to have solar panels on your roof. We need some big changes in this country, come November which candidate is more likely to embrace and push for alternative energy vs keeping the status quo (going to war for foreign oil).

Living Green Forum

More to add in my green folder, this Sunset magazine ‘Living Green Forum’ is good to find answers to questions and share resources.

IMHO, we can’t get to green living fast enough. It’s not new, it’s just that mankind ignored it for so many years or more likely, big oil fought, lied and paid for keeping the status quo. Stupid stupid. Any comments about this?

Industrial Designers (aren’t licensed)

I’m an industrial design buff and as far as I know, industrial designers aren’t licensed, and they aren’t knocking down doors to get licensed either. I looked at the IDSA web site and I don’t see any mention of “legislation”. If you can find any, let me know.

If you want to compare industrial and interior design and whose job is “more important” to public safety, I’d vote for industrial design any day of the week. They design mass-produced cars, ergonomic chairs, keyboards, forks and knives, motorcycles, table fans, even Ronco dice & slice gizmos.

Sure, while it takes special education, skill and a discerning ability to design and specify for inside a building, is this the kind of work that needs oversight by the state because bad practice kills people? , or is it the kind of work that consumers can easily benefit from what we have now, which is private (state recognized) Certification. I’m neither licensed or certified, I just have not found the time yet to study for the CCRE.

Is there a big difference in the name Registered versus Certified . Does one title have more prestige or give a client a better designer. I don’t know.

As a space planner/designer who works with contractors and architects all the time, I’ve had my share of unwarranted “attitude”. I’ve been called interior desicrator to my face and behind my back. There seems to be an unspoken pecking order in construction, which is not unlike racism. It makes you feel bad about yourself and it wears you down. I think this would occur even if designers were licensed.

Over the years I’ve heard workmen in the field whisper and wonder if I was gay or some real ignorant, come right out and say it to my face. They don’t even know me and they judge me badly because of what I do for a living. (I’m not by the way). There have been many times that I wanted to be higher on the pecking order but then I should have become a Civil Engineer. They’re top dog, the buck stops with them, they have the biggest responsibility of all. But I like design and not math and I don’t want more responsibility (or liability) than I already have. I feel that a state license will bring me more of what I don’t want.

But back to the industrial designers, I have met a few in my life, and they seemed to have good self esteem and didn’t suffer an inferiority complex. I’m sure they get their share of crap from engineers in their field but thats just human nature unfortunately. There’s always going to be ’some’ people who like to tear others down to make themselves feel better. Their work is hard, just like interior designers or even more so, and yet they as a group don’t think they need a state license to protect the public from their work nor to validate them as being good professionals. As a group (and for what they give us), I think they’re pretty cool.

CADAL “Eureka! . . . ” (more on SB 1312)

[be sure to read comments below!]

Tonight I found this site called CADAL which stands for California Designers Against Legislation and their clever tagline is “Eureka! We have found the truth!” (maybe they have, maybe they haven’t, it’s up to each individual to read it for themselves and decide) …… This web site is focused on opposing SB 1312. It’s not very large and looks kinda new but it’s packed with id turf war articles and white papers. One blog entry is called The Running Dogs of Interior Design and I have to side with commentator “Clifford, AIA” where he says NCARB is worse than ASID. Heh.

Solar in a Box, Sunset Idea Houses, KitHAUS

Surfing around today, I found some cool Web sites

Ready Solar, ’solar in a box’

Sunset Idea Houses

KitHAUS little prefab houses that DWR sells

All this great stuff is out of my reach, by the time it becomes affordable, I’ll probably be too old to care. heh heh.

Go green, Fresno

I’m with Joe here, more green installations for Fresno, we been wasting the sun’s energy too long by not using it. Why should L.A. have this and not Fresno?

Imagine being able to see the Sierras from the valley every day, bicycling or walking to work, preserving more open space as well as our Valley’s agricultural heritage. A year ago our mayor and city council said we’d work towards Fresno being a sustainable city by 2025.   C’mon, get the lead out,,,,, we can’t wait that long.

SmartCar for 2009

SmartCar will have an all electric model coming in 2009.

Specs according to newsletter from EnVironmental Motors

• Capable of producing a normal speed of 55 to 60 mph, with a cruising speed of up to 75mph

• Range of approx 320 miles at 55-60 mph
  

• Range of approx 200 miles at 75 mph
  

• Short charge with onboard generator: 2 hours. Fully charged in about 8 hours
  

• Air Conditioning
  

• SMART RDS FM/CD Player
  

• Price range $30,999- $33,999 (ouch, nothing smart about that)
  

$500 lemonade

This reminds me of the costs to become a Registered Interior Designer under SB 1312.
http://www.glasbergen.com/images/k323.gif

NCIDQ keeps changing the goal post

As a follow up to “NCIDQ blew it” – I want to thank Debra O. for reminding us designers out there that NCIDQ keeps changing their requirements for candidates who might want to sit for their exam.

Excerpts from Debra’s comment:

“….the people deciding who may even register for the NCIDQ exam are trying to make it impossible for anyone else to ever take the test.”

“Last year they implemented a new rule requiring all experience counted toword the minimum requirement must occur after the education requirement. What happens to those who have a number of years in the industry, and decide to return to school? Tough luck.”

“This January a new requirement makes that experience only count if the job is supervised by an NCIDQ certificate-holder, or a licensed architect!”

Read all of her comments here (#2)

<!– @ 5:32 pm –>

CLCID’s Legislative Alert on SB 1312

Check it – Not just opposition letters, but quirky articles from Newsweek and the Sacramento Bee.

There are more important things to write about. Like the price of gas and how did the Celts push the Cavs to the brink of elimination?

NCIDQ blew it

[be sure to read comments below!]

So many interior designers are in the dark about what the hell is happening with their profession in California. There are now TWO legislation coalitions at odds with each other (CLCID and IDCC); a couple of large national organizations seemingly “at war” (ASID & NKBA); sideline groups and their members sparring with each other, not to mention ‘outsiders’ (such as AIA and CALBO) jumping in to render their opinions, and all the while, no doubt, being watched by the Institute for Justice.

And what’s all the fuss about? A national interior design exam, called the NCIDQ, that was once the ‘only’ accepted exam for interior design certification (in Calif.), but then a while ago fell into non compliance with California law.

With much negotiation on the certification boards part, NCIDQ wouldn’t make any exceptions to comply with California law, so CCIDC had to adjust their exam requirements to comply with the law. This didn’t sit well with NCIDQ or ASID who have since decided to try to legislate the NCIDQ as the only exam (under proposed Senate Bill 1312).

While this isn’t the entire mess, it is a big part of it. Many of us sit and wonder why ASID is pushing for the NCIDQ only when MOST of their own members have never taken it.

All NCIDQ had to do was make some exceptions to their rules to comply with California law, and they’d have a whole lot of candidates sitting for their exam today and in the future.

As it stands, they pretty much forced CCIDC to lookfor other ways to properly test and certify designers in California and they now have plans to drop their current exams and go to one California Codes Exam in 2009.

Big mistake NCIDQ. I think you blew it in California.

SB 1312 draws alot of opposition

Who opposes SB 1312:

1. Interior Design Tribe
2. AIA California Council
3. WAH’s Journal (with a date problem)
4. Interior Design Freedom
5. CLCID
6. ASID-CA Peninsula Chapter (discusses pros/cons)
7. Institute of Justice in Capitol Weekly
8. Legislative Update -Blogspot re CALBO
9. Interior Design Protection Council
10. NKBA
11. AIA- National
12. Brents Blog – you are here

SB 1312 would eliminate the California Architects Board (CAB) and instead establish the California Architects and Registered Interior Designers Board (CARIDB).

You should never establish a state board with a name you can’t pronounce. (heh)

“ASID’s two-part strategy to shut out …” (other designers)

Why should I care what ASID or IIDA does when I’m not a member of either one of these groups.
I care because what they do can affect me and my work and there are alot of designers who do not belong to groups (just like alot of architects who do not belong to AIA) .

I am, or at least try to be a well balanced person and not poke my nose into others business but it just stinks when people band together and end up harming others.

FROM another website:

“….a small faction within the interior design community has been waging a relentless lobbying campaign to cartelize the industry through government regulation. Led by the powerful American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), that campaign follows a two-part strategy.

“….The first step is to persuade credulous legislators to adopt so-called “titling” laws that permit anyone to work as an interior designer, but provide that only those meeting certain credentials (specifically those held by—surprise!—ASID members) may use the terms “interior design” and “interior designer.” The result is that in New Mexico (as well as Texas, Illinois, Florida and Connecticut) thousands of talented, highly experienced interior designers are suddenly demoted to “decorators” or “consultants” and prevented from advertising themselves—truthfully—as full-fledged interior designers.

“…..From censorship, the cartel then proceeds to full-blown occupational licensing in the guise of “practice acts” that dictate who may actually work as an interior designer….read it all on Institute for Justice

Power and Money, a nasty combination for “outsiders”

FORWARDING from my friend Janet R.:

ASID and IIDA are using their members money to get a title Registered Interior Designer and have only the NCIDQ exam. This is a Practice Act (under a new joint licensing board with the architects). Yeah, pretty laughable since I have friends who are architects but they don’t want me on their board!

Do interior designers NEED a Practice Act? or should I ask: do consumers NEED to PAY MORE for interior design services? The answer to both is NO.

Interior designers can already become Certified by CCIDC and have their choice of exams (including the NCIDQ). I think in a year or so, there will be only one exam and that will be on California Codes.

This is a good thing as students will be able to take the codes exam right out of school (NCIDQ does not allow for that) and it will open more designers to becoming Certified. IF you are a designer with EXPERIENCE ONLY, NCIDQ doesn’t want you. Jane, Diane and Walter, I hope you are reading this.

Don’t fall for the grandfather lie. You won’t be automatically registered without a whole lot of trouble and alot of expense, and even then you may not qualify. Just because you are allied or assoc. members of ASID or IIDA, doesn’t mean a thing.

ASID who is pushing this so hard has not thought this through, at all, it makes me wonder who is in charge. They are making their members angry and it is so obvious they just don’t want “outsiders” to practice interior design (sorry, but thats what I think, all NKBA members, IDS, independents,… ASID is trying to shut you out or at least keep you down while they try to elevate themselves at all cost).

SB 1312 is a Sham

I’ve been reading alot about SB 1312 lately, and today, I figured, enough is enough. Many of my friends in ASID and IIDA think they have been lied to, and they don’t know what’s going on. I’ve been researching and getting emails from other designers who are getting down to the truth of this PROPOSED LEGISLATION which doesn’t pass the smell test. This bill needs to be stopped. I don’t even know how it’s actually gotten this far.

Recycled glass tiles are low toxic

Tile is a low-toxic, durable finish material for flooring, walls, and  to face cabinetry.  This is a specialty tile produced from recycled glass.

Pininfarina EV coming to U.S.

Italian Pininfarina will be producing a plug-in electric car by 2010 for Europe, Japan and the U.S. for about $23k. It will have a range of 155 miles and a 5 minute quick charge will be good for about 15 miles.

A shed to shed in or something like that

These sheds are almost good enough to live in. I know Winston would like if we both moved in one. Now that he’s older, he has trouble with all the stairs in our townhome.

( Winston is my dog)

Michelle Kaufman’s MKLotus

West Coast Green, MKDesigns, one day I would like to live in a house like this

or any one of Michelle Kaufmans prefab homes would do, especially high up with an ocean view.

Breezehouse

Sidebreeze