Breaking News – November 1, 2006 | ||||
STATEMENT FROM DON GILPIN and KEN SMITH CEDIA'S LEGISLATIVE POSITION Yesterday, CEDIA’s government affairs program was criticized by Randal Lemke, executive director of Infocomm. We felt compelled to offer factual information that provides a clearer picture of our legislative initiatives. During the 2006 state legislative sessions, CEDIA’s Government Affairs team tracked, testified, and introduced legislation related to the electronic systems industry. During the 2006 state legislative sessions, the CEDIA team tracked over 600 bills in 45 states. The majority of legislation CEDIA has been engaged in over the years deals with statewide electrical licensing and contracting proposals regulating electronic systems contractors and technicians. If enacted, these electrical licensing and contracting proposals in most states would require the completion of an electrician apprenticeship program to work as an electronic systems contractor.
Some of the states CEDIA has been actively involved with during the 2006 legislative session include:
CEDIA’s proactive introduction of legislation is in response to our years of defensive work in many states. We can only play defense so long before being asked by the legislators, “What do you want to see in the legislation?” CEDIA’s position is that it is far better for us to have a part in writing the rules, thus protecting our members’ best interests, than fighting restrictive legislation proposed by others who do not understand the electronic systems industry.
Also, as clarification to Mr. Lemke's assertion that “EST has not been accepted by the industry”, I would offer the following: The U.S. Department of Labor has recognized Electronic Systems Technicians as a separate and distinct profession as part of the 21st Century Workforce Initiative. The designation has its own separate Occupational Title and Code. The federal designation has value to CEDIA’s legislative efforts as we continue to fight restrictive legislative proposals at the state level that do not recognize our profession and its unique training requirements.
Mr. Lemke also states in his article that “CEDIA continues to lobby states to mandate the Electronic Systems Technician certification &.” Again, this is not an accurate statement as CEDIA representatives at both the New Hampshire House and Senate hearings and at the Nebraska Study Bill session made it quite clear that the language that was being discussed did not mandate one certification over others. On the contrary, it pointed to a voluntary certification requirement.
The New Hampshire House Bill 1595 that was introduced into the legislature was intended to be an inclusive bill, not exclusionary. New Hampshire House Bill 1595 was legislation to introduce a voluntary certification requirement. The only requirement from the
Mr. Lemke’s take on CEDIA’s involvement in the
During the 2004 legislative session, CEDIA was active in
Our intent with any legislative effort is to have CEDIA Certification recognized at the state level as one of the industry certifications that could be accepted. It was never intended to be the only certification and we welcome other industry certifications.
Finally, Mr. Lemke continually asserts that CEDIA tries to mandate the EST Certification within our legislative language. The word “mandate” cannot be found in any document nor has it been used by any CEDIA professional during testimony. Our position maintains an open door of communication and a partnership with different associations in the electronics industry.
CEDIA’s intent with our legislative efforts is for the betterment of the whole industry. It is not to position one’s education or certification as the standard. Furthermore, attempts at select associations trying to gain state recognition and ignoring the rest of the industry would not be looked upon with favor from any legislature.
We welcome and encourage all stakeholders’ participation in the legislative process including their presence and participation at committee hearings. Currently, CEDIA has more than 4,000 certified technicians, and we will continue to protect their right to work through our efforts in the state houses across Sincerely,
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