Deregulation moves forward

Tears were shed at the March 24 Florida House Economic Affairs Committee meeting as the committee voted 12-6 in favor of deregulating 19 professions, business and occupations.

The issue was particularly contentious for interior designers, who began circulating a petition to stop deregulation the day before the meeting. Dozens of designers traveled to Tallahassee to testify, most in opposition to the bill.

A University of Florida interior design student cried as she told the committee that ending licensing requirements for her profession would “be devastating.”

The bill, a committee substitute for House Bill 5005, repeals regulations for interior designers, intrastate movers, motor vehicle repair shops, sellers of business opportunities, charitable organizations, athlete and talent agents, and others. The list of 19 was paired down from more than 60 that were reviewed by committee members since January.

The intent is to get more people working by easing barriers to entry in these fields, but some argue it could have unintended consequences. For example, registered interior designers argue that the removal of licensing requirements would increase liability costs for architects who would then have to sign and seal interior design plans. Also, if interior designers are no longer able to sign and seal plans, it limits their ability to work commercial projects.

According to the bill analysis, the bill would actually cut costs for the affected professions because they would no longer be required to pay fees, fill out applications and do legal disclosures. The analysis estimates deregulation would save about $12.8 million for the 89,133 individuals currently licensed in these professions, of which 4,203 are interior designers.

Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, the vice chairman of the committee, supported the measure.

Opponents, including interior design professors from Florida State University and the University of Florida, argued that designers receive training in life safety code requirements while completing the schooling requirements for licensure.

Ron Book, a lobbyist for the Interior Design Association of Florida says he believes deregulation will cause university interior design programs to collapse.

Supporters argued that state regulation restricts fair trade in the profession. Cliff Wells, owner of Design Advantage, Inc. in Bonita Springs, told the committee that he passed the industry exam after four days of self-study, and told the committee, “ ... it's clearly unnecessary regulation.”

A proposed amendment to the bill to remove the interior design profession from being deregulated was defeated on a split roll call vote. The vote fell mostly along party lines with Democrats supporting the amendment.

The bill goes to the Appropriations Committee before it gets sent to the House floor.