Texas State Legislature Passes Bill Outlawing Lighting Design Profession

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)

John Martin, Policy Contact, IALD Public Policy, +1-415-898-5711 (Office),
+1-415-717 5200 (Mobile), JOHN@IALD.ORG, or Jennifer Jones, Press Contact,
IALD Marketing + Communications, +1-312-527-3677 (Office), +1-312-753-8697
(Mobile), JENNIFER@IALD.ORG