The AIA Ohio Government Advocacy (GAC) kicked off the year finalizing plans for this year’s Advocacy Day program. While the programming for those days seems long gone, the committee has remained active throughout the spring and summer addressing new issues while following the ongoing work of the legislature and state agencies.
As most know, the legislature works on two budgets as part of each assembly. The state Operating Budget, which is developed in the first year of an assembly, develops the plan that funds state government agencies and legislation throughout a two-year period. The second budget, which was addressed this year, is the Capital Budget. This Capital Budget directly affects the work of the architectural profession through the allocation of funds for the design and construction of new buildings and statewide infrastructure, including many state agencies and universities. This year’s approved budget includes a record number of projects totaling $4.2 billion, the largest in state history. For more information on the projects in the Capital Budget, you can review the allocations on the Office of Budget and Management website.
In addition to the monitoring of the budget process, AIA Ohio has established several task groups to review opportunities and work with state agencies in updating or developing new regulations or legislation. In 2023, a GAC subgroup worked with the Ohio Board of Building Standards (OBBS) in supporting the OBBS efforts to update the Ohio Building Code (OBC). This year, the work with the OBBS continues as the Lt. Governor’s Office of Common-Sense Initiatives is looking at the feasibility of developing legislation that would allow point block access, or single stair access, for certain residential occupancies under the OBC. Used in several communities across the country, the point block access allows for a single set of stairs in buildings of limited residential units and height. These types of buildings are common throughout Europe and have become an acceptable building type in places such as New York City, Honolulu, and Seattle. The buildings are particularly valuable in urban infill settings where the footprint of the building is limited, and secondary egress is not practical. These units can also provide opportunities for improvements in unit design while increasing life safety features with fire suppression, increased stair width, and pressurized stairways. The point block access group has worked with the noted state offices for the past several months as stakeholders in any potential legislation that could emerge.
In a similar way, a newer, but just as relevant group has started to discuss housing affordability. For some, this equates only to low-income housing. In today’s economy, however, this is far from the truth. Housing is of significant concern to many throughout the state. Workplace housing has become an important concern in many communities, and for some, it has limited growth and expansion of the local economy. This group has just started its efforts and is meeting monthly to develop its agenda and goals. Individuals interested in joining the task group can contact AIA Ohio for more information on how to participate in this group.
The GAC has recently looked at proposed changes in the Industrialized Unit Regulations, and will begin to provide feedback on issues related to proposed changes to the Residential Code of Ohio. Early this year, a subgroup of the GAC, along with members of the Public Awareness Committee combined efforts to develop QBS issue briefs as part of AIA Ohio’s “ArchED” public education program.
The AIA Ohio Government Advocacy Committee meets almost weekly throughout the year to address issues and concerns related to the design and construction industry. Members interested in participating on the GAC can contact AIA Ohio for more information.