As the only Professional Building Designer association within Washington State, the Washington Society of The American Institute of Building Design continues to communicate information that is vital to maintaining the rights and privileges afforded those Design Professionals whose right to, and limits of practice defined within the provisions of the Chapter of Exemptions of the Architects Law for Practice, RCW 18.08.410.

Our commitment extends to building relationships with other organizations that also recognize the value of the Professional Building Designers in their community. We continue to monitor sectors of local and state government that may want to modify the provisions of RCW 18.08 including chapter .410.

In 2006, the Washington Society researched the possibility of introducing legislation who’s intended modifications to RCW 18.08 are meant to further secure the provisions for practice currently embodied in the law and specifically the content of chapter .410. Wording was drafted, legislative sponsors were contacted, and building industry support was requested and tentatively given.

Through the much appreciated and valued counsel of these sponsors and supporters, along with our own research, it was decided that the 2007 legislative session would not be the right legislative session to introduce the bill.

The Washington Society will continue to build relationships and strengthen our support in 2007. Along with this we are planning on a campaign to distribute materials with the intent to help educate the public, business, building departments and officials of the benefits of working with a Professional Building Designer. This campaign will include information on the certification program offered by The National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC).

The Washington Society has continued to increase its membership in 2006. These new members are both Professional Building Designers and Licensed Architects who recognize the advantage of belonging to an organization that is focused primarily on residential and light commercial design. We look forward to continuing that trend in 2007.

Once we have accomplished our goals for 2007 and, with the continued monitoring of the trends in our State legislature, presentation of our legislative proposals will be considered. We want to thank all of our supporters and look forward to what 2007 and the future will bring to the Professional Building Designers of our State.