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Texas State Legislature Passes Bill Outlawing Lighting Design Profession

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 May 2009, 14:34 CDT

IF SIGNED INTO LAW, LIGHTING DESIGNERS WILL BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS

CHICAGO, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Texas State Legislature has passed legislation that will have the unintended consequence of outlawing an entire profession -- lighting design.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090527/DC23261LOGO )

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) strongly urges the Texas Senate Business & Commerce Committee remove language restrictive to the profession in Texas House Bill 2649 as a "technical adjustment" when the bill is prepared for Gov. Rick Perry's signature, or the eventual veto of the bill by the Governor should no changes in language be made.

On May 27, 2009, the Texas State Legislature passed legislation drafted without any input from lighting designers, restricting the practice of lighting design to members of other professions and trades, such as architects, engineers and electricians. There are no provisions in the legislation for establishing a licensing standard for lighting designers.

Members of the IALD abide by a strict code of ethics and bring both technical knowledge and artistic sensibilities to bringing out the best in buildings and outdoor spaces. IALD professional lighting designers dedicate their careers exclusively to the art and science of lighting. There is no substitute for their level of expertise and professionalism.

The economic impact of the proposed legislation will be extensive: dozens of lighting designers practice in Texas, and hundreds of projects in the state depend on professional lighting designers for their full architectural expression.

We believe that the Texas Legislature does not mean to outlaw an entire profession, but that is the impact of the proposed legislation.

SOURCE International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD)

Source: PR Newswire

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