“Advocacy On the Boards” is a monthly update from the AIA Pennsylvania Government Affairs Team to inform members of the great work “on the boards” ensuring architects are at the policymaker’s table to affect positive and equitable social, environmental, and economic outcomes for the profession and the commonwealth. This work includes lobbying state lawmakers, their staff, and other government officials and agencies to provide architects’ guidance on policies that impact the built environment and, in turn, the health, safety, and welfare of all Pennsylvanians. AIA Pennsylvania members’ technical expertise and experience are critical to the priority issues as charted by the Government Affairs team and informed by the membership’s feedback each two-year legislative session cycle.
On the Boards | Government Affairs Committee
Introducing the 2022 Government Affairs Committee Leadership
Welcome to Adam Trott, AIA, and Elysia Mikkelsen, AIA as 2022 GAC co-chairs! In 2022 we are looking forward to advocating for a more sustainable Pennsylvania, creating more equitable communities, improving the business of architecture, and pushing for legal reform for design professionals. If you are interested in getting involved with any of our Government Affairs Committees please reach out to Amal Mahrouki at amahrouki@aiapa.org. For more on Elysia and Adam visit the “Board of Directors, Leadership, and Team” page. A special thanks to Chair Emeritus Scott Compton, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, stepping down this year, for his leadership and establishment of the Government Affairs Committee structure over his tenure.
On the Boards | Building Codes
2018 I-Codes Effective Feb 14, 2022
As of January 26, Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRR) officially approved updates to the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) by adopting nearly all provisions of the 2018 International Code Council’s model codes, as directed by the UCC Review and Advisory Council.
download the final regulation >
For more information on the building code changes coming to Pennsylvania visit our “Capitol Advocacy and Education” page.
In preparation for the review and adoption of the 2021 International Code Council (ICC) family of codes (IBC, IRC, etc) the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review & Advisory Council (RAC) is seeking input from the citizens of the Commonwealth regarding potential “additional sections” of the code for evaluation. As part of the triennial code review and adoption process, the RAC will evaluate all sections that change from the 2018 code to the 2021 code as published by the ICC (those sections with black bars in the margin in the 2021 ICC codes).
In the updated ACT 45 legislation, provision has been made to allow the triennial review to include sections that have not been changed during the ICC update process. For a section to be designated as an “additional section” the RAC must review and vote on those sections prior to the initiation of the 2021 ICC code review in October 2022.
As part of this process of identifying potential “additional sections”, the RAC is requesting input from the citizens of the Commonwealth on sections that they are requesting be evaluated to be included as “additional sections” in the 2021 code review. For this public comment period, the RAC is requesting that the commenter focus on why the section should be evaluated for inclusion as an “additional section” and not the specific language that you would like to see.
There will be a 120-day public comment period for the citizens of the Commonwealth to make comment on all the sections that are being reviewed as part of the 2021 ICC code review, where specific language can be submitted.
Please download the fillable form and email the completed form to RA-LITECHADVRYCOUNC@pa.gov prior to the February 13, 2022 deadline.
On the Boards | The Environment & High-Performance Building
C-PACE Program Enhancements Bill Passes House
HB 1760 (C-PACE Enhancements), one of AIA Pennsylvania’s key advocacy initiatives for District Days, passed the House unanimously.
Proposed enhancements to the C-PACE program would expand eligibility to the following:
– Multifamily commercial buildings of 5 or more units;
– Indoor air improvements (e.g. COVID-19 mitigation); and
– Building resiliency improvements.