2024 Sponsors

Interested in becoming a 2024 Legislative Day Meet and Greet Sponsor? Click here or donate online here.

Why Attend Legislative Day?

The Architects, Engineers, and Surveyors Legislative Committee (AESLC) represents the design profession by advocating on their behalf in the Michigan Legislature. Over the past several years we have been able to pass or oppose several pieces of important legislation:

2008 Passage of SB 1515 & 4938, Increased Penalties for Unlicensed Activities

2010 Passage of SB 1443, Grants for SRF Loan Applications

2011 Passage of SB 77, Statute of Limitations Amendments

2012 Passage of HB 5466, Establish Fairness of Indemnification Provisions in Public Contracts

2013 Passage of HB 4585, Electronic Seals and Signatures

2014 Passage of SB 472, Amendment of the State Remonumentation Act

2014 Passage of SB 1043, Corner Recordation Act

2015 Passage of SB 309, Amendment of the State Condominium Act

2015 Passage of Public Acts 174-180, increased funding for Transportation

2017 Passage of Public Act 435, Improvements to Article 20

2018 Passage of SB 465, Lien Law Improvements

2018 Passage of HB 5335, Michigan Infrastructure Council

Currently, the AESLC is working on several issues that directly affect design professional and our business practices. Three of these issues will be our focus during the upcoming Legislative Day:

• Certificate of Merit Legislation

• Restoration of the Historic Tax credits

• Transportation Funding

• Infrastructure Funding

It is essential that we build a relationship with our legislators in order to effectively represent our interests. The best way to do that is by having constituents visit with them and explain why the issues are important. Appointments will be scheduled for you with each of your legislators. Our lobbyist, Melissa McKinley of Kelley Cawthorne, will provide an update and briefing to familiarize you with each of the legislative issues. A packet of information on the legislative topics and the AESLC organizations is provided for each legislator.

One of our major annual events to get our message to the legislature is Legislative Day, which is typically held in the spring. All members of AIA MI are welcomed and encouraged to attend and visit their legislator to promote the practice of architecture.

A long-term approach to government affairs requires (among other things) relationship building, visibility, awareness and vigilance. The political environment is constantly evolving, so displaying a consistent presence by AIA is vital. Our professional lobbyist provides an important measure of stability but Legislators must be convinced that AIA represents a significant, active constituency that is engaged in the public forum and will continue to be so engaged. Our Legislative Day events serve to establish AIA as an active participate in Michigan government affairs. There is no substitute for face-to-face exposure with Legislators by the membership, and no more effective manner of exposure than to appear in mass, along with our engineering allies for added weight.

Therefore, Legislative Day continues to be the signature event for the GAC. At the event(s), members convene to be educated in the current issues, meet with Michigan’s Representatives and Senators and express the profession’s interests and concerns.

Our committee cannot function effectively without significant attendance at this event. The more participants we have, the louder the voice of AIA Michigan will be. A poor turnout can potentially damage our interests. All AIA Michigan members are strongly encouraged to participate. As a dividend to the members, this event is fun. Any member can partake effectively. Attendees are provided with information, instruction, and partners for visiting with the legislators.