Governor Newsom signs three AIA California priority bills into law, advancing important protections for architects, historic preservation, and the profession.
AIA California is celebrating a successful legislative year following Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of three priority bills: SB 1205, AB 1265, and AB 2106. Together, these measures represent meaningful progress in protecting design professionals, preserving California’s historic buildings, and strengthening the laws that support the architectural profession.
These victories reflect AIA California’s continued commitment to advancing policies that benefit architects, their clients, and the communities they serve. They also demonstrate the impact of sustained advocacy, strong partnerships, and the engagement of members who help identify the challenges facing the profession.
SB 1205: Strengthening Payment Protections for Design Professionals
Sponsored by AIA California and authored by Senator Suzette Valladares, SB 1205 addresses longstanding concerns regarding the withholding of retention payments from design professionals.
The new law establishes a 5% cap on retention withheld from design professionals and requires those funds to be released within 60 days of completing their contractual obligations on applicable design-bid-build projects.
This important reform helps ensure architects and other design professionals are paid fairly and promptly for their work, providing greater financial certainty for firms of all sizes.
AIA California extends its appreciation to Senator Valladares for championing this legislation and to Debra Gerod, FAIA, whose leadership in bringing this issue forward helped make this victory possible.
AB 1265: Preserving California’s Historic Buildings and Communities
Co-sponsored by AIA California and the California Preservation Foundation, AB 1265, authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, advances California’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit program.
By supporting the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, the legislation helps preserve California’s architectural heritage while creating opportunities to address some of the state’s most pressing challenges, including housing affordability and revitalization of existing communities.
The program also provides enhanced incentives for projects that preserve affordable housing or convert historic buildings into housing, demonstrating how historic preservation can support both sustainability and housing production.
AIA California thanks Assemblymember Haney and our partners at the California Preservation Foundation for their leadership and tireless work in advancing this important legislation.
AB 2106: Strengthening Accountability in Professional Liability Claims
Sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC California) and supported by AIA California, AB 2106, authored by Assemblymember Darshana Patel, strengthens California’s Certificate of Merit requirements for professional negligence lawsuits involving design professionals.
The legislation requires that the expert consulted to support a Certificate of Merit be licensed in California in the same professional discipline as the defendant. It also extends these protections to landscape architects.
These changes help ensure that professional negligence claims are supported by appropriately qualified experts who understand the applicable professional standards, strengthening the integrity of the legal process and helping protect design professionals from unsupported claims.
AIA California appreciates the leadership of ACEC California and Assemblymember Patel in securing this important reform, which takes effect January 1, 2027.
Advocacy That Delivers Results
The passage of these three bills is a reminder that effective advocacy begins with the profession itself. From identifying challenges in everyday practice to developing legislative solutions and building coalitions, AIA California’s advocacy efforts are strengthened by the expertise and involvement of our members.
We are grateful to the legislators, coalition partners, volunteer leaders, and members who helped make these victories possible.
But our work doesn’t stop here.
As we begin developing our legislative priorities for the coming year, we want to hear from you. What challenges are you facing in your practice? What laws or regulations need to change? Where should AIA California focus its advocacy efforts next?
Your voice helps shape our advocacy agenda. We encourage every member to complete AIA California’s annual Advocacy Survey and share the issues that matter most to them.
Together, we can build on this year’s successes and continue advancing a stronger future for California’s architectural profession.
Complete the AIA California Advocacy Survey here.
