There is good news to report, and hopefully more good news will follow next month.
AIA CA asked the Legislature and Governor to make two changes to law this year. Both bills passed the Legislature, and one already has been signed into law by the Governor. We remain quite hopeful the second bill also will be signed in the coming weeks.
Net Zero Carbon Continuing Education – Signed Into Law
Governor Gavin Newsom signed our sponsored AB 1010 last week. AB 1010 was authored by Assembly Member Marc Berman (D – Palo Alto). This new law requires all California architects to complete 5 hours of continuing education in Net Zero Carbon design every two years, and will be in effect for the 2023 renewal cycle. This CE will help architects understand significant changes that are expected to be included in future building codes and standards, and will help position California architects as the thought leaders in Net Zero Carbon design. AIA CA will supply courses for free to all architects renewing their licenses in 2023.
Firm Naming – Awaiting the Governor’s Signature
AB 830 , authored by Assembly Member Heath Flora (R – Ripon), contains contains language to restore freedom in how some newly formed architectural firms can name themselves. In late 2019 the California Secretary of State’s office adopted a new interpretation of existing law and began rejecting the formation of new architectural general business corporations that includes a last name of a principal and any variation of the “A” word in its title (e.g. Smith Jones Architects, Inc.). AB 830 restores the naming freedom to newly formed architectural general business corporations. If signed, AB 830 will go into effect January 1, 2022. Specials thanks to attorneys Jennifer W. Suzuki with Long & Levit LLP and David E. Barker with Collins + Collins LLP for helping AIA CA and California Architects Board staff draft the AB 830 language.
