Committee advances House Bill 2353 after amendment to curb unlicensed practice fails

At a meeting of the Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing, members voted 20–1 to advance the House committee substitute for House Bill 2353, which would add licensed interior designers to the state’s board of registration.

Representative Nolte offered an amendment (ending in 0.01h) to remove a portion of the substitute that he said would permit people to practice professional interior design so long as they did not claim to be licensed. "My amendment repeals, removes a portion of this bill," Nolte said, arguing the change would put interior designers on the same footing as engineers and architects and preserve the public-protection purpose of licensure. Nolte cited the proposed scope of practice found on pages 32–33 of the committee substitute and pointed to a contested provision he described as highlighted in red on page 36.

The committee chair asked whether nonlicensed people would be able to stamp documents under the substitute; the chair's question, "Would these non licensed people be able to stamp?", was answered "No." Representative Kate said she appreciated the amendment but opposed it, saying it "detracts from what the bill is trying to accomplish" and that she would vote no on the amendment.

The committee voted on the proposed amendment; the chair called for ayes and noes and the amendment failed. The chair then moved to adopt the House committee substitute for House Bill 2353 and to vote "do pass." The committee recorded a 20–1 vote in favor of advancing the substitute; the chair announced the motion carried.

With the vote complete, the chair said there was no further business and adjourned the meeting.