Yesterday Carlson Studio Architecture's Ringling College Intern Elisabeth Croy traveled to Tallahassee with several other students to speak to the appropriations committee about the pitfalls of deregulating Interior Designers in the state of Florida. Since House Bill HB 5005 has been introduced over 80 professions have been put at risk of deregulation, or losing their ability to be licensed, in the state in the name of saving tax dollars.
Professions which have been removed from the bill include Landscape Architects, Geologists, Cosmetologists, and Surveyors. Interior Designers are the only construction professionals to remain on the bill seemingly due to a misunderstanding of their professional responsibilities. Over 90 people from the public came to speak in front of the committee which in the end voted to pass the bill through, 15-8 along party lines.
Hope remains however as a few concerned committee members offered their support and implied the potential for an amendment on the floor once the bill makes it to the Florida House of Representatives for a vote.