Senate committee hears competing views on adding registered interior designers to AELS board

Senate Labor and Commerce heard public testimony March 5 on Senate Bill 54, which would extend the statutory authorization for the Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors (AELS) and add registered interior designers under a title-act registration.

The measure, sponsored in committee by staff to Senator Matt Klayman, would keep interior design as a title act — not a practice act — allowing anyone to practice interior design but reserving the title “registered interior designer” for those who choose to register. Serena Hackenmiller, staff to Senator Klayman, told the committee the bill “does 3 things. First, it will extend the statutory authorization for the board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors, or AELS Board. It will also add registered interior designers to the board's jurisdiction. Lastly, the bill makes statutory changes requested by the board.”

Why it matters: supporters said registration would let Alaska-registered interior designers compete for federal projects that require registration and keep related fees and work in-state. Barbara Cash, an Anchorage interior designer and ASID member, said the bill “allows Alaska registered interior designers to work on federal government projects when registration is required rather than hiring out of state registered designers,” and argued more designers are eligible to register than earlier testimony estimated.

Opponents and concerns: some architects and prior AELS board members raised concerns about expanding the board and about the bill’s definition of interior design. Catherine Fritz, a registered architect and former AELS board chair, opposed increasing the board from 11 to 13 seats and questioned including a dedicated seat for registered interior designers. Fritz said the bill’s Section 5 “must include the preparation of documents related to non load bearing interior construction, space planning, finished materials and furnishings,” and called that language an overreach because it covers largely non-code items and could give the board authority over areas the title act is not intended to regulate.

Professional groups and compromise: AIA Alaska has signaled neutrality provided the bill remain a title act rather than a practice act. Jessica Cederberg, calling on behalf of AIA Alaska, said the association “appreciates the sponsor’s willingness to compromise by offering a title act rather than a practice act” and noted a legislative council memo clarified a title act “does not require a license to practice an occupation.” Dana Nunn, an NCIDQ-certified designer representing ASID Alaska, testified in support of the bill “as written.”

Committee action and next steps: the committee closed public testimony on SB 54 and set an amendment deadline of Friday, March 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. for any proposed changes. The committee set the bill aside for further consideration at a future meeting.

Details and context: witnesses who testified included practicing and licensed architects, landscape architects, and multiple NCIDQ-certified interior designers who identified themselves as Alaska residents and industry representatives. Committee staff and a representative from the division of corporations, business, and professional licensing were present for technical questions. The committee did not vote on SB 54 at this hearing; members asked questions and accepted written amendments by the March 7 deadline.

The committee will consider amendments and may take further action at a future meeting.