Committee considers extending AELS board authority, adding registered interior designers

Senate Finance heard Senate Bill 54 on March 27, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Matt Klayman, would extend the statutory termination date for the Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors (AELS) Board by eight years to June 30, 2033; add registered interior designers to the board’s jurisdiction; and make several conforming statutory changes.

The bill would establish a title‑act registration pathway for qualified interior designers, enable registered interior designers to obtain permitting privileges (a construction stamp) for work within a regulated scope of services impacting public health, safety or welfare in public‑occupancy buildings, and add board seats to represent interior design and separate electrical and mechanical engineering seats.

Nut Graf: Supporters — including NCIDQ‑certified interior designers and board representatives — said the bill fills a gap by enabling qualified interior designers to register, obtain a stamp for certain commercial permitting, and increase consumer protection. Opponents — notably some architects and AIA Alaska members — said the bill should remain a title act (not a practice act) and expressed concerns about permanently expanding the board’s membership.

Details and testimony: Senator Matt Klayman described the bill’s purpose: “Senate Bill 54 will extend the statutory authorization for the Board of Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyor. The AELS Board, add registered interior designers to the Board's jurisdiction and make statutory changes requested by the Board.” He said the bill is intended to be cost neutral through registration and renewal fees and to allow the board to hire an occupational licensing examiner.

Chris Curtis, state legislative auditor, told the committee the board’s 2024 sunset audit found the board served the public interest and recommended extension; the audit showed 6,628 active registrants and a roughly $1.2 million surplus as of January 2024. Colin Maynard, speaking for the AELS Board, said the board voted 7–2 to support the bill and outlined staffing costs tied to adding an occupational licensing examiner.

Public commenters included NCIDQ‑certified interior designers who urged passage, representatives of the Council for Interior Design Qualification, and architects. Ramona Shimshimeyer (reading prepared remarks for AIA Alaska) said AIA Alaska would accept a title act rather than a practice act and would remove opposition if the bill remains a title act. Catherine Fritz, speaking as an individual and a registered architect, opposed permanently expanding the board’s size and questioned adding a voting seat for interior design given the bill is a title act.

Fiscal impact and process: Senator Kiel summarized the fiscal note: an increased FY26 cost of approximately $172,601 (receipt supported services) and on a going basis FY27 and after an estimated $401,700 in receipt‑supported services and two positions. The bill was set aside for further consideration; the committee announced an amendment deadline of April 8, 2025, at 5 p.m.

Ending: The committee did not advance SB 54 at the March 27 hearing and set it aside for further review; sponsors and stakeholders were encouraged to provide additional information before the amendment deadline.