In this issue:
· Licensing Registration Fee Increase Goes into Effect
· AIA Supports Draft of New Energy Bill

Licensing Registration Fee Increase Goes into Effect
In August Governor Paterson signed legislation that approved a 15% increase in professional licensing registration fees, including the architecture profession. Applying to all professionals, except physicians, under the Education Law’s Title VIII list, the three-year registration fee increased from $210 to $242 as of 09.25.09. For re-registering architects, the new fee will be $242 plus the $45 continuing education fee, for a total of $287. For new registrants, there is the $242 registration fee and a $135 license fee, for a total of $377. The increase, the first in 20 years, will assist the Office of Professions to maintain the safety and wellbeing of New Yorkers. More information is available at the Office of Professions website, http://www.op.nysed.gov/.

AIA Supports Draft of New Energy Bill
A draft of the Kerry-Boxer climate bill was unveiled late last month, and quickly won the support of AIA’s national leadership. Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer have put forth the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, which includes two provisions relevant to the AIA’s priorities to lessen the environmental impact of the built environment. The bill encourages green retrofits and strengthens green energy codes. While the bill has to go through revision in committee and be combined with a house version of the bill, it represents some of the strongest environmental legislation in U.S. history. To read more about AIA’s campaign to “walk the walk” of carbon neutrality, visit their website.