Texas Registered Interior Design Law Remains Intact

Interesting facts were brought to attention during these last few months of debate, one being the loss in money the state would earn allowing Interior Designers to be Registered.

Courtesy: ciiwa.com

(PORTLAND, OR) - Some months ago, the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission suggested removing the Texas’ Interior Design Registered Program. For those not familiar with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, this description can be found on their website: “In 1977, the Texas Legislature created the Sunset Advisory Commission to identify and eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency in government agencies. The 12-member Commission is a legislative body that reviews the policies and programs of more than 150 government agencies every 12 years” (Sunset Advisory Commission).

Last month, during December 2012, Sunset Advisory Commission released their 2012 report on Texas Board Architectural Examiners, Texas Board of Professional Engineers, & on the Self-Directed Semi-Independent Agency Project Act. In this report it was announced that Interior Designer’s will continue to have the right to be Registered in Texas. American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) had a big contribution to the monitoring, advising, and defending of Interiors designers through this process. “ASID Government testified in front of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission in November to reject the Commission’s staff proposal and maintain the current registration program” (American Society of Interior Designers).

Interesting facts were brought to attention during these last few months of debate, one being the loss in money the state would earn allowing Interior Designers to be Registered. “Discontinuing the regulation of registered interior designers would result in the annual loss of $928,600 to the General Revenue Fund because Interior Designers would no longer pay the $200 professional fee” (Sunset Advisory Commission Report). Another important fact that was brought to light was the damaging effect on Texas college students and the public with disability needs, “The recommendation also would negatively impact the students and faculty of the 14 Texas colleges and universities with accredited interior design programs, not to mention the 2.9 million Texans with disabilities, for whom accessible design is of immense importance” (Sunset Advisory Commission Report). This message brings excitement and hope to all other states wanting to have the ability to be a Registered Interior Designer.

To read more on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission report, please visit this link http://www.sunset.state.tx.us/83rd/eng/eng_dm.pdf . To get involved in IDC-Oregon’s upcoming committee meetings, or special events, please contact Melissa Greco or Rebecca Noble at publicrelations@idc-oregon.org.