Architects advocate for key pieces of federal legislation at AIA’s Lobby Day

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The\nAmerican Institute of Architects (AIA) and nearly 280 of its architect members\nmet with lawmakers on AIA\u2019s Lobby Day, which took place April 13 and 14. They\nworked to advance two key pieces of legislation that would prevent\nfederal mandates on architectural design styles and reduce limiting local\nregulatory policies\u2014the Democracy In Design Act (H.R. 5291) and the Yes\nIn My Backyard (YIMBY) Act (H.R. 3198\/S. 1614). "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cWhen the profession shares its deep knowledge and expertise\nof the built environment with policymakers, we can have a positive impact in\nhelping shape laws that will benefit all communities,\u201d said AIA 2022 President Dan Hart,\nFAIA. \u201cThe Democracy in Design Act of 2021 and the YIMBY Act would help to ensure\nthat the voices, opinions, and expertise of the people who create, build,\ninteract and depend on these places and spaces are heard and heeded.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA and its members met with lawmakers on Lobby Day to support\nthe bipartisan Democracy in Design Act to prohibit the federal government from\nmandating any national design styles. The legislation would ensure that\ncommunities across the country maintain a voice in the design of federal\nbuildings that is consistent with local preferences, topographies, and design\ntraditions. AIA members also shared this petition, signed by roughly 2,400\narchitects across all 50 states, to Congress in support of the legislation. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Additionally, architects expressed support for the bipartisan\nYIMBY Act, which would help to address systemic inequities that continue to\nafflict America\u0027s housing and zoning policies. If passed, the YIMBY Act would\nrequire more transparency from communities that receive federal funding through\nthe Community Development Block Grant. The act encourages the reduction of\nburdensome regulatory policies at the local level, which can lower construction\ncosts and create more opportunites for affordable housing in communities across\nthe country."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cGiven the opportunity, architects in partnership with political and community leaders can find common ground on many design matters,\u201d said Winston Thorne, AIA Pasadena \u0026 Foothill President, who participated in Lobby Day. \u201cVoicing their opinions and listening to concerns about similar planning and design issues across communities helped elevate and reaffirm shared ideas and values. It is apparent that we are not alone.\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Architects\n engaged with lawmakers and staff on targeted key\nCongressional Committees that have jurisdiction over both pieces of\nlegislation, including the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and\nInfrastructure, the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, the U.S. Senate\nCommittee on Environment and Public Works, and the U.S. Senate Committee on\nBanking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The Lobby Day kick-off included a video recording from Sen. Todd\nYoung (R-IN) and live remarks from Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) and closed with a debrief\nthat featured remarks from the states who participated in the event. \n\n\n\n\n\n"]]]]}