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HomeRED Alert Tennessee

February 2011

It's back!                Tennessee design community:

On 2/15/11, TIDC (the Tennessee Interior Design Coalition), the puppet coalition for ASID's licensing scheme, once again introduced a bill which would expand the current title law under the guise of "protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public."

This bill will establish regulation for "Licensed Interior Designers" and prevent you from providing full-service interior design, as you currently have done for years without harm to the public.

If you are an IDPC member or sponsor, you will be kept up-to-date on all activities and/or movement of this bill, pertinent information including bill analysis, talking points, legislator contact information, sample letters, hearing dates, and all other updates crucial for defeating this bill.


March 2010

TN cartel waves the white flag -for this year...

 

We have received word that TIDC (Tennessee Interior Design Coalition), the pro-regulation group, have decided to abandon their push to move their anti-competitive practice act forward this year.  As you may remember, companion practice act bills were introduced again this year, which were nearly identical to the bills we derailed last year, except that the restrictions on the title "interior designer" were removed.  In spite of TIDC's claim that the bills would allow everyone to continue doing everything they are doing now, after reviewing their bills, IDPC has concerns and remains opposed and ready to lobby against them, and mobilize the grassroots to defeat them.

 

We've heard a rumor that the sponsors may still "put the bills on notice to reinforce their message," but assert that they will not be asking either the House or the Senate to vote on them. 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If either bill is scheduled for a hearing, we will be lobbying hard for a vote.  The only reason the pro-regulation faction are not asking for a vote is because they KNOW they don't have the votes!  We DO, and while getting the bill stalled again is certainly a victory for the Freedom Movement, a NO VOTE would be better yet and stack the odds that it would not be back for a while. 

April 2009

 

Members of the Tennessee design community:

 

As expected, companion bills to impose practice restrictions on Tennessee designers, pushed by TIDC (Tennessee Interior Design Coalition) and the Tennessee Chapter of ASID, were introduced on 2/25/09.

 

These bills will impact your right to practice and jeopardize your ability to earn a living.  And for no reason other than to allow a small group of industry insiders to corner the market and eliminate their competition.

 

SB 2078 and HB 2016 require that anyone performing interior design services must be licensed (with limited exceptions) which means passage of NCIDQ exam, a test that

·  historically has had a 40% passage rate,

·  takes up to six months to prepare,

·  costs $2000 or more to take including study materials, and

·  is rarely passed on the first attempt

You will lose your ability to call and market yourself as "INTERIOR DESIGNER" and you will lose your current and/or future right to work in diversified applications.

Section 3 (a) says that unless you are registered (NICDQ certified), you will not be allowed to perform services for:

·  any building more than 2 stories, including residences that may have 3rd floor lofts/home offices

·  any commercial design over 5,000 sq. ft. in a one or two story building

·  condos, in a building over 2 stories

·  common areas of condos, any size

·  hotel lobbies, any size 

·  small offices in an office building over 2 stories

·  waiting rooms, any size

·  community centers, any size

·  any kind and size of meeting facilities

·  restaurants, cafes, bistros, etc., any size

·  auditoriums or theaters of any size

·  any space plans/furniture layouts for work in schools, hospitals, or other intentionally vague places of "assembly" unless they are for "communicating interior space requirements to a registered design professional" which essentially means it's THEIR job, not YOURS, or you'd have to hire them to accomplish your design.

Immediate Action Required!

 

TIDC and ASID are planning a "Rally Day" at the Capital on April 8th and are meeting with legislators every Tuesday and Wednesday in March.


You must act now to get the TRUTH about this practice act to the members of the Senate and House, so they can be prepared to ask the cartel tough questions, like:

  • What evidence is there that consumers' health or safety have been harmed by unlicensed interior designers? (answer: none)
  • How would this law protect the public beyond the measures already in place? (answer: it doesn't)
  • What evidence is there that consumers are confused about interior design services? (answer: none)
  • Why can't consumers review portfolios and websites, interview potential designers, check references and check private certification credentials to determine what level of designer fits their project?  (answer: consumers do not need a nanny state to take these decisions out of their hands)
  • Why have 12 government agencies concluded that regulation is not needed?  Have any agencies recommended regulation? (answer: no)
  • How many states currently regulate the practice of interior design? (answer: 3)
  • What was the FTC conclusion on interior design regulation? (answer: fewer choices and higher costs to the consumer)
  • How will students be able to find enough licensed designers under which they will have to apprentice before taking the NCIDQ? (answer: there are not nearly enough who are willing or able to hire them)

In today's difficult economy, the state government should enact no laws which would make it more difficult for Tennessee entrepreneurs to earn a living, unless there is compelling evidence that the public is is jeopardy without the practice law.  Clearly, no such evidence exists.

 

Act Now:

  1. Fax, email, or call each committee member.  Your letter should be no longer than one page.
  2. Fax, email, or call your own legislators.
  3. Ask your clients, vendors, friends, family, and other consumers, to call or write to their legislators. 
  4. Rally students to write as well.  This practice act will HURT not help them.

If you live in a surrounding state but work or plan to do design work in Alabama, then you also need to contact the Committee to protect your rights and those of your TN colleagues.

 

Click here  for contact info on Committee.

 

Click here to find your legislator. 

 

Click here  to read bill.