AIA PA board members and committee leaders hit the State Capitol for Action Day 2026, meeting with legislators and policy makers to talk about what architects do, why it matters, and what we need from Harrisburg right now.

Action Day is one of those events that reminds you why advocacy matters. On March 24th and 25th, AIA PA board members and committee leaders were at the Pennsylvania State Capitol doing what architects do best — showing up, listening carefully, and making a compelling case for good design, smart policy, and the communities we all call home.

The premise of Action Day is simple but important: legislators need to hear from architects. Not just about buildings, but about housing, accessibility, sustainability, liability, and the countless ways that the built environment shapes everyday life in Pennsylvania. Our elected officials are making decisions that affect all of it — and they are far better equipped to make those decisions when architects are part of the conversation.

WHO WE MET WITH

This year’s Action Day included some genuinely exciting meetings. Our team had direct conversations with key legislators and officials across party lines including:

• House Majority Leader Rep. Matt Bradford– Discussing our legislative priorities with leadership at the top of the House agenda
• Chair, House Housing and Community Development Committee Rep. Brandon Markosek – a critical conversation on attainable housing and zoning reform
• House Minority Caucus Chair Rep. Martina White – bringing our priorities across the aisle
• Deputy Secretary of Policy Orlando Almonte – Engaging with the executive branch on policy implementation and the Governor’s priorities

ALSO ON THE AGENDA — FEDERAL POLICY: We also had the opportunity to hold a virtual meeting with members of Senator Dave McCormick’s team to discuss federal policy and its impact on our profession and the communities we serve. It was a great reminder that advocacy doesn’t stop at the state line — and that AIA PA is actively engaged at every level of government.

Getting face time with offices across both parties, branches of government, and at the federal level is exactly what Action Day is designed to produce. Every conversation is a chance to build a relationship, share a perspective, and make sure architects have a seat at the table when the decisions that shape Pennsylvania get made.

WHAT WE WERE ASKING FOR

We showed up with a clear agenda — four priorities under our Blueprint for a Better Pennsylvania platform. Here’s what we were talking about in every room:

SUPPORT SB399 Statute of Repose: Pennsylvania’s current 12-year Statute of Repose is one of the longest in the country. We’re pushing to bring it down to 6 years — a change that reduces long-tail liability for architects and design professionals while still protecting the public.	SUPPORT SB867 Accessibility Codes: The Architectural Accessibility Board (AAB) plays a vital role in making sure Pennsylvania’s buildings are safe and accessible for everyone. We’re supporting SB867 to protect the AAB’s authority in reviewing accessibility codes.
SUPPORT HB501, SB501, HB503, SB503 & HB1155 High-Performance Buildings: Nearly 100,000 clean energy jobs in Pennsylvania are tied to building efficiency. Supporting high-performance building standards is good for occupant health, good for energy costs, and good for the economy — with significant room to grow.	SUPPORT ZONING REFORM POLICIES Attainable Housing: Pennsylvania’s housing challenges require a real strategy — one that gets architects involved early, encourages collaboration across jurisdictions, and connects housing to transportation, infrastructure, and economic development.

These aren’t abstract policy debates — they’re issues our members navigate in their practices every day. The Statute of Repose affects how architects manage risk. Accessibility codes shape every project we design. Clean energy standards influence how we specify and build. And housing? That’s personal for every Pennsylvanian.

Want to get involved in AIA PA’s advocacy efforts? Keep an eye out for announcements about District Days, where we ask AIA PA architects engage in grassroots advocacy and meet with their local legislators.