Top policy issues architects are tracking in 2024

What are the key policy issues AIA will advocate for this year?  

AIA Chief Advocacy Officer Alexander Cochran, Esq.: Supporting the Congressional passage of the Tax Relief for American Families and Works Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024) is a key priority for AIA. It would repeal a harmful research and development (R&D) amortization tax provision that affects architecture firms across the country, both big and small. If passed, the change in tax policy would be retroactive to 2022. The result would allow architecture firms throughout the U.S. which conduct R&D to be stronger financially and maintain and/or expand employees to allow for core business growth.

If the amortization is not repealed, firms of all sizes face a dramatic impact on tax liability and their bottom line that will limit the ability to grow and hire talent. Another important provision within H.R. 7024 will increase the amount of federal money that states can receive to encourage the development of low-income housing.  

Revising the fee limitation for cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contracts within federal design and construction projects from six to ten percent is another key issue for AIA this year. Congress revised the fee limitation for federal design and construction projects within the purview of the Department of Defense (DOD) in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which President Biden signed into law.

Under long-standing federal law, design services fees for both civilian and military federal design and construction projects were capped at six percent of total estimate project costs. The six-percent cap has been a major issue of concern for AIA and the design and engineering industries.

For architects in the federal sector, the limitation on fees does not reflect the growing complexity of design projects, the additional services that need to be provided to complete a successful 21st century project, and the growing amount of upfront work and extensive management requirements that many firms must perform to complete a project.

AIA will work with the DOD as they implement the new law and will continue to work towards a future where fair and reasonable fees are unfettered by fee limitations across all agencies on all federal design and construction projects.  

Supporting the Democracy in Design Act (H.R. 964/S. 366) which is bipartisan legislation that will ensure communities across the country maintain a voice in the design of federal buildings in their area. Local stakeholders must maintain their influence over the design of federal buildings in their communities. The federal government should not circumvent the design process to assert one design style at the expense of community preferences. Maintaining a style-neutral position respects the architectural design traditions in our country, while meeting local needs, understanding regional differences, and encouraging innovation.  

Beyond Capitol Hill, how will AIA work to impact the future of the built environment?  

Cochran: AIA has been engaged with our nation’s mayors since its inception over 150 years ago.  AIA has been involved with the U.S. Conference of Mayors for decades - to at least the founding of the Mayor’s Institute of City Design in 1986 -  making it one of our most treasured relationships. Mayors and architects are both civic problem solvers, striving to shape our cities to improve people's lives.    

Mayors face many exciting challenges as they strive to adapt buildings and public spaces to meet the workforce needs of our post-COVID world, to address underutilized downtown office space, to understand how land use and zoning policies can promote a “15-minute city”, to provide accessible and affordable housing, to repurpose and adapt old buildings, or to create smart, sustainable cities and AIA architects can be their partners for progress. 

If a mayor does not have a Chief Architect to advise them on the built environment, AIA will urge them that the time to put one in place is now. AIA will continue to strongly encourage mayors to appoint AIA members to their planning and zoning boards and other commissions and reiterate that we stand with mayors across the country in their quest to build their city’s best future. 

AIA has been and will continue to share our voice at international climate summits, such as the Conference of the Parties (COP). By attending these climate summits, AIA meets with governors and mayors to discuss the important skills, training, expertise and perspective that architects bring to the table when the solutions to climate challenges are being discussed and implemented.  

How are architects a voice for change in Washington, DC, and in their states and local communities?  

Cochran: By being present and engaged. The more involved architects are advocating at the federal level, the greater the positive impact on our architectural firms, the communities in which we live, work and play, and the profession at large.

When architects work with state and local elected officials, they can exert the most influence and achieve impactful positive outcomes that set the course for their communities. This means not only meeting with mayors, governors, and local officials, but having a seat at the table when important civic decisions are made. When you are not at the table, you are on the menu.   

What is the best way for AIA members to engage with their elected officials?  

Cochran: The best way for AIA members to engage with their elected officials is to engage locally where you live and work. All politics is local, so wherever they are comfortable and can bring value, we encourage them to get involved as a volunteer, as a consultant, as an employee or as a member of a board or commission.

Another area to engage would be responding to one of AIA’s action alerts on an issue of importance and sending an email or making a call into their elected official’s office. Squeaky wheels get the grease. By participating in the action alert process is a great effortless way for us to move the needle on the key issues AIA is tracking.

The end goal with all of this is to develop a relationship with the elected officials and become a resource for them on issues impacting the built environment and the architecture profession. Many times, the elected official that you end up developing a relationship with needs your help and just did not know it or know all the expertise architects bring to help the local leader implement their vision in building their city’s best future.

Lastly, elected officials tend to seek other offices so it is not a surprise for a mayor to become a member of Congress or a governor to become a senator or a president. Get in at the ground floor where you offer the most value and make a friend for life.  

2024 is an election year. Will this work in favor of AIA’s efforts or will it be a disruption?  

Cochran: Every year is an election year for someone, and there is an opportunity after every election to develop relationships with newly elected officials and create champions for the issues that you care about.

Yes, 2024 is a presidential election year, which makes getting involved much more exciting and pivotal with more than 45 members of Congress not seeking re-election and retiring. This is an opportunity for AIA and its members to become part of the conversation and help shape the trajectory of this country for the next four years. Will it be a disruption? Yes. Will a lot get done legislatively? Probably not. However, the future of the country’s path will be set in 2024, so we encourage you to get involved both personally and professionally. Your voice and experience are needed.