BILL ANALYSIS ------------------------------------------------------------ |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1312| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |1020 N Street, Suite 524 | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ------------------------------------------------------------ THIRD READING Bill No: SB 1312 Author: Yee (D), et al Amended: 5/27/08 Vote: 21 SENATE BUSINESS, PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMMITTEE : 5-3, 4/14/08 AYES: Ridley-Thomas, Calderon, Corbett, Florez, Yee NOES: Aanestad, Denham, Harman NO VOTE RECORDED: Simitian SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 8-3, 5/22/08 AYES: Torlakson, Cedillo, Corbett, Florez, Kuehl, Oropeza, Simitian, Yee NOES: Cox, Aanestad, Dutton NO VOTE RECORDED: Ashburn, Ridley-Thomas, Runner, Wyland SUBJECT : Registered interior designers SOURCE : Interior Design Coalition of California DIGEST : This bill creates, within the California Architects Board, the Registered Interior Design Committee for the registration of registered interior designers." The Registered Interior Design Committee will review the qualifications of candidates for examination as a registered interior designer. This bill makes it unlawful for a person to hold him or herself out to the public or solicit business as a registered interior designer without holding a certificate of registration, unless the person is CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 2 exempt, as specified. ANALYSIS : Existing law: 1. Provides for a state sanctioned private certification program for interior designers, whereby only practitioners who meet specified education and experience standards, and who pass a privately administered examination, may use the title "certified interior designer," but does not otherwise limit any person from practicing interior design. 2. Provides for the licensure and regulation of some 22,000 architects by the California Architects Board (CAB) within the Department of Consumer Affairs and imposes various related fees that are deposited in the California Architects Board Fund, a continuously appropriated fund. 3. Provides that CAB consists of 10 members, including: A. Five architects (appointed by the Governor). B. Five public members (three appointed by the Governor, one appointed by the Senate Rules Committee, and one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly). This bill: 1. Increases the membership of the CAB by two members, one who shall be a registered interior designer who has been registered and in practice in this state for at least four years, and one public member. 2. Creates, within the CAB, a Registered Interior Design Committee (Committee). 3. Specifies the Committee shall consist of seven members, three of whom shall be registered to practice registered interior design in this state and four of whom shall be public members. The Governor shall appoint two of the CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 3 public members and three registered members. The Senate Rules Committee and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each appoint one public member. The public members of the Committee shall not be licensees of the board of registrants of the Committee. 4. Specifies the initial members to be appointed by the Governor are as follows: one member for a term of one year, two members for a term of two years, and two members for a term of three years. The Senate Rules Committee and the Speaker of the Assembly shall initially each appoint one member for a term of four years. Thereafter, appointments shall be made for four-year terms, expiring on June 1 of the fourth year and until the appointment and qualification of his or her successor or until one year shall have elapsed whichever first occurs. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. 5. Specifies that no person shall serve as a member of the Committee for more than two consecutive terms. 6. Requires the Committee to review the qualifications of candidates for examination for registration as a registered interior designer and, after investigation, evaluate and make recommendations regarding potential violations of this act. 7. Allows the Committee to investigate, assist, and make recommendations to the CAB regarding the regulation of registered interior designers in this state. 8. Requires the CAB to prosecute all persons guilty of violating the provisions of this bill, and allows the CAB to employ inspectors, special agents, investigators, and clerical assistance as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this bill. 9. Allows the CAB to select and contract with necessary interior design consultants who are registered interior designers to assist in its enforcement program on an intermittent basis. 10.Allows the Committee, in accordance with the CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 4 Administrative Procedure Act, to adopt, amend, or repeal the rules and regulations that are reasonably necessary to: A. Govern the examinations of applicants for registration to practice registered interior design. B. Establish rules or professional conduct that are not inconsistent with state or federal law. Every person who holds a registration issued under this bill shall be governed and controlled by these rules. C. Carry out the provisions of this bill. 11.Requires a registrant to sign, date, and seal or stamp, using a seal or stamp all plans, specifications, studies, drawings, and other documents he or she issues for official use. Allows the Committee to adopt regulations specifying the manner in which a registrant may electronically issue those documents. 12.Requires a registrant to use a seal or stamp of the design authorized by the CAB, bearing his or her name, the serial number included on his or her certificate of registration, and the legend "registered interior designer." 13.Specifies it is unlawful for a person to seal or stamp a plan, specification, study, drawing, or other document after the certificate of the registrant, named thereon, has expired or has been suspended or revoked, unless the certificate has been renewed or reissued. 14.Requires a plan, specification, study, drawing, or other document prepared by a registrant to contain a statement that the document was prepared by a person registered pursuant to this bill. 15.Allows a registrant, in the practice of registered interior design, to collaborate with any of the following persons: A. A licensed architect. CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 5 B. An electrical, structural, or mechanical engineer registered and authorized to use that title. 16.Requires the Committee to issue a certificate of registration to a person who meets all of the following requirements: A. Has not committed any of the acts listed in #23 below. B. Completes an application for a certificate on a form prescribed by the Committee. C. Pays the registration fee prescribed by the Committee. D. Submits proof satisfactory to the Committee of successful completion of one of the following: (1) A bachelor's degree program in interior design and 3,520 hours of interior design experience, including 1,760 hours earned after the degree program is completed. (2) A bachelor's degree program in any major, no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate or degree, and 3,520 hours of interior design experience, including 1,760 hours earned after the degree program and coursework are completed. (3) No less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree, or diploma and 5,280 hours of interior design experience earned after that coursework is completed. (4) No less than 40 semester or 60 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree, or diploma and 7,040 hours of interior design experience earned after that coursework is completed. CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 6 E. Submits proof of passage of the examination prepared and administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. 17.Allows the Committee to issue a certificate of registration to a person who meets both of the following requirements: A. May lawfully represent himself or herself as a "certified interior designer" pursuant to current law. B. Submits an application to the CAB before January 1, 2011. 18.Allows the Committee to issue a certificate of registration to a person who submits an application to the Committee before January 1, 2011, and submits proof acceptable to the Committee of one of the following: A. Ten years of experience in interior design. B. Eight years of experience in interior design and two years of education in interior design that is acceptable to the Committee. 19.Requires a person registered pursuant to this bill who has not passed the examination within the first two renewal periods, as a condition of renewal of his or her certificate of registration, to show proof acceptable to the Committee of both of the following: A. Passage of Section I of the examination prepared and administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. B. Completion of 15 hours of Committee-approved continuing education coursework relating to health, safety, and welfare regulation. The hours earned pursuant to this paragraph shall be credited toward the continuing education requirements established by the Committee. 20.Specifies a certificate of registration shall expire two CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 7 years after the date of issue. 21.Requires the registrant, to renew the certificate, on or before the expiration date of the certificate, do all of the following: A. Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the Committee. B. Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the Committee. C. Submit proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements established by the Committee. 22.Allows the Committee to, by regulation, require registered interior designers to complete not more than 10 hours of continuing education per renewal period as a condition of renewal of their certificates of registration. 23.Allows the CAB, by order, to suspend, revoke, or place on probation the certificate of a registrant, assess a fine of not more than $10,000 against a registrant, impose the costs of an investigation and prosecution upon a registrant, or take any combination of these disciplinary actions if a registrant does any of the following: A. Obtains a certificate of registration by fraud or concealment of a material fact. B. Is found guilty by the CAB or a court of competent jurisdiction of fraud, deceit, or concealment of a material fact in his or her professional practice, or is convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of a crime involving moral turpitude. C. Is found mentally ill by a court of competent jurisdiction. D. Is found guilty by the CAB of incompetence, negligence, or gross negligence in the practice of interior design. D. Affixes his or her signature, stamp, or seal to CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 8 plans, specifications, studies, drawings, or other instruments of service that have not been prepared by him or her, or in his or her office, or under his or her responsible supervisory control, or permits the use of his or her name to assist a person who is not a registered interior designer to evade any provision of this chapter. E. Aids or abets an unauthorized person to practice as a registered interior designer. F. Violates a law, regulation, or code of ethics pertaining to the practice of registered interior design. G. Fails to comply with an order issued by the CAB or fails to cooperate with an investigation conducted by the CAB. 24.Makes it unlawful for a person to do any of the following: A. Hold himself or herself out to the public or solicit business as a registered interior designer in this state without holding a certificate of registration issued by the Committee pursuant to this chapter. This paragraph does not prohibit a person who is exempt from this bill from holding himself or herself out to the public or soliciting business in this state as an interior designer. B. Advertise or put out any sign, card, or other device that indicates to the public that he or she is a registered interior designer or that he or she is otherwise qualified to engage in the practice of registered interior design, without holding a certificate of registration issued by the Committee. C. Practice registered interior design, or use the title "registered interior designer," in this state unless he or she holds a certificate of registration issued by the Committee. 25.Specifies this bill does not prohibit a person CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 9 certified, or otherwise qualified or approved by a private organization, from using a term or title copyrighted or otherwise protected under law by the certifying organization or from providing services customarily associated with that title, or specified by the certifying organization, provided that the use of that term or title does not connote registration under this bill. 26.Specifies that a person who violates any provision of this bill is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable as follows: A. For a first violation, the person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. B. For a second or subsequent violation, the person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. 27.Specifies that in addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, a person who violates any provision of this bill or any regulation adopted by the Committee or the CAB is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation. That penalty shall be imposed by the CAB. 28.Specifies that this bill does not apply to any of the following: A. A licensed architect acting within the scope of his or her license. B. A person engaging in work related to registered interior design as an employee of a registered interior designer if the work does not include responsible supervisory control or supervision of the practice of registered interior design. CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 10 C. A person performing registered interior design work under the responsible supervisory control of a registered interior designer. D. A consultant retained by a registered interior designer. E. A person who prepares drawings of the layout of materials or furnishings used in registered interior design or provides assistance in the selection of materials or furnishings used in registered interior design, if the preparation or implementation of those drawings, or the installation of those materials or furnishings, is not regulated by a building code or other law, ordinance, rule, or regulation governing the alteration or construction of a structure. The persons exempt from this provision include, but are not limited to, a person who prepares drawings of the layout of, or provides assistance in the selection of, any of the following materials: (1) Decorative accessories. (2) Wallpaper, wallcoverings, or paint. (3) Linoleum, tile, carpeting, or floor coverings. (4) Draperies, blinds, or window coverings. (5) Lighting or plumbing fixtures that are not part of a structure. (6) Furniture or equipment. F. An employee of a retail establishment providing consultation regarding interior decoration or furnishings on the premises of the retail establishment or in the furtherance of a retail sale or prospective retail sale. 29.Sunsets the Committee on July 1, 2011, consistent with the CAB. FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: Yes Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes According to the Senate Appropriations Committee: Fiscal Impact (in thousands) CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 11 Major Provisions 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Fund Interior design Up to $794 Up to $1,475Up to $1,695 Special* registration - estimated costs offset all, or in part, by fee revenue - Additional board members Minor, ongoing costsSpecial* * CAB-Registered Interior Designers Fund SUPPORT : (Verified 5/27/08) Interior Design Coalition of California (source) American Society of Interior Designers International Interior Design Association OPPOSITION : (Verified 5/28/08) American Institute of Architects - AIA California Council American Lighting Association Building Owners and Managers Association California Architects Board California Building Officials California Legislative Coalition for Interior Design California Retailers Association Canada College College of the Canyons Community College League of California Fullerton College International Furnishings and Design Association - Northern California Chapter Long Beach City College Los Rios Community College District Lumber Association of California and Nevada Merced College Modesto Junior College Monterey Peninsula College National Association of the Remodeling Industry National Federation of Independent Business National Kitchen and Bath Association - California Chapters Ohlone College Palomar College CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 12 Santa Barbara City College Santa Monica College Santa Rosa Community College Shasta College The Interior Design Society West Valley Mission Community College Western Home Furnishings Association ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the bill's sponsor, the Interior Design Coalition of California: "In the interest and for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare, SB 1312 creates a Practice Act for Registered Interior Designers in California. The measure amends the current California Architects Board into the California Architects and Registered Interior Designers Board. It further defines a scope of practice, and establishes education, experience and examination requirements, and provides a voluntary registration process and regulation for interior designers who provide specific code-affecting services. "This bill ensures that interior designers that do not provide code-affecting services may continue to use the title 'interior designer.'" ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : The California Legislative Coalition for Interior Design believes the bill discriminates against many current professional interior designers in California by "requiring us to become licensed through an out of state organization that will not recognize our qualifications." They argue the bill does not protect the consumer and adds an unjustified layer of bureaucracy to the already overburdened state budget. This bill raises exam and licensing costs which will result in higher prices passed on to the consumer and only adds additional cost to the services that an interior designer provides making it more exclusive and out of reach for many consumers. The Coalition states that the current certification process in California already requires an interior designer to follow a code of ethics and pass an exam covering California codes and regulations. They argue that this bill will exclude many designers from becoming registered because of hard-to-meet requirements and will CONTINUED SB 1312 Page 13 criminalize certain acts subjecting them to severe penalties. JJA:mw 5/28/08 Senate Floor Analyses SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE **** END **** CONTINUED