This week the 2025 Virginia General Assembly began in earnest, having been delayed, as many of you know all too well, by the issues with the water supply in and around Richmond. The delay impacted the filing and posting of bills, which have been slow to emerge. The Joint Legislative Committee (the JLC) has commenced with its review of those (relatively few) bills. We will issue our first Legislative Update at the end of this week, which is expected to be fairly busy.
There are a few advocacy items to share in the meantime.
First, let’s acknowledge and thank the members of the JLC. AIA Virginia’s interests are represented admirably by Rebecca Aarons-Sydnor, Assoc. AIA, Edward Gillikin, AIA, Lauren Sughrue, Assoc. AIA, Stephen Weisensale, AIA, and myself. We are joined by members of ACEC-VA, our common ally Joseph Cooch of Lee/Shoemaker PLLC, and of course, our beloved lobbyist Patrick Cushing, Hon. AIA Virginia of Fall Line Strategies. Each year we review several hundred bills to determine if we need to take a position, and if we do, what that position should be. We may reach out if we need additional counsel or subject matter expertise. And you should please proactively offer assistance when you feel you can.
Second, I can offer the observation that the political landscape in Virginia is fairly settled. Save a few special elections, the composition and the hierarchy of the General Assembly has not changed in the last year. The players are familiar and, with special thanks to our PAC, we have invested some quality time between sessions cultivating our relationships with legislators, the administration, and other stakeholders.
Third, we are running bills this year which directs DPOR to develop a program that will allow an applicant for architectural licensure to meet the educational requirement through professional experience under the direct supervision of a licensed architect. Importantly, the existing conventional pathway to initial architectural registration (which allows an applicant to meet the educational requirement through a NAAB-accredited architectural degree), and the process for those seeking comity/reciprocity will remain unchanged. And all candidates will still be required to complete the AXP and pass the ARE, ensuring that only qualified applicants are licensed and that the paramount interests in health, safety, and welfare remain protected. But providing the additional lane to meet the education requirement will provide several benefits:
- Candidates will be offered an alternative to the costs and limitations of higher education
- Candidates will hold paid positions (rather than incurring the expense/debt of higher education)
- Contributions to the workforce and economic growth will be expedited
- Additional modes of acquiring expertise and knowledge will be accommodated
The bill further provides for a retroactive enactment period during which candidates (particularly those who might have benefitted from such a program, had it existed) can submit the experiences they accrued in past years for consideration.
All of this is ordered towards not only increasing the number of qualified architects but also increasing the diversity of those architects, by affording an additional pathway to those who may be denied, discouraged, or otherwise inhibited by the difficulties they encounter along the course currently required.
It should be noted that no less than 17 of the 55 U.S. jurisdictions allow multiple pathways to become an architect, typically by substituting additional experience in lieu of a professional degree. As some of you may remember, Virginia allowed that for decades until decades ago – and may yet again when our efforts are successful.
On the federal level, we are beginning to prepare for AIA Leadership Summit and our annual Hill Day (Wed 26 Feb 2025). While we await topics and talking points from AIA (National), I will remind that we are always anxious to incorporate items that emerge from our members – the architects and firms right here in Virginia. (To wit, repealing the required amortization of tax credits.)
In the interest of ensuring that we are aware and attentive to the issues that concern you – at either the state or the federal level – I ask that you please contact me to express those interests.
And while we’re reviewing standing invitations, please know that you are very welcome to meet me for a day at the Virginia General Assembly. I am there representing our interests most days; usually until sometime after crossover (which is expected Tues 4 Feb 2025). It would be my honor to show you around. We could take in some (sub)committee meetings, perhaps offer testimony or voice opposition or support, perch in the galleries to survey the majesty of it all, and confer with legislators and/or other stakeholders/lobbyists. Just drop me a line, and we can get that coordinated.
Paul Battaglia, AIA
pbattaglia@aiava.org
