The advocates of the architectural profession in the Capitol, the Government Relations program represent AIA CA before the state Legislature, regulatory agencies, boards and commissions.
Providing a strong and continuing presence in the state Capitol, the program sponsors legislation critical to the profession’s interests and actively monitors other legislation affecting the profession’s well-being. On the regulatory side, the program represents architects before the regulatory bodies, actively advocating for issues including: sensible, workable state building codes, energy efficient design principles, improvements to the State procurement process, and unified design and construction authorities within the Executive Office.
The program also works to build a strong political base for architects by promoting the critical relationships between architects and their legislators.
Mark Christian, Hon. AIA CA
Mark Christian, Hon. AIA CA is a registered lobbyist for AIA California.
Mark is the AIA CA Director of Government Relations and has had a distinguished career working for various elected officials in the Capitol.
Some of the issues the Government Relations program is working on your behalf include:
PROTECT architects from professional service taxes
IMPROVE state contract indemnification language through the development of reasonable and insurable requirements
ENSURE the lines of communication with the state agencies are open and support architects right to compete for projects
MAINTAIN a focus on equitable contracts for architects in the public procurement process
WORK with the California Architects Board and insurance professionals on settlement reporting requirements
PROTECT Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) procurement of design professionals for public projects
PROMOTE excellence in public buildings to establish and promote quality improvements in the planning and design of public spaces
FIGHT for quality learning environments and increased funding for school facility construction
HELP to support candidates who understand and support these issues in the legislature