The mission of the CEDIA Government Affairs Program is to influence public policy to protect CEDIA members, the professional smart home technology industry, and consumers. CEDIA works daily to monitor, track, and lobby on licensing legislation and regulations to ensure that the appropriate exemptions or scope of work for a license represent the work done by integrators today and in the future. It is vital for jurisdictions to use forward-looking licensing language to support current and future technology innovations and encourage the adoption of technology.
CEDIA works on legislative and regulatory issues related to alarm licensing, connected devices, electrical licensing, limited energy licensing, the National Electrical Code®, and workforce
Oklahoma Senate Bill 1572, as introduced at the start of the 2024 legislative session, added the word "alarm" to Class 2 and Class 3 circuits exemption within the Oklahoma Electrical License Act. CEDIA lobbied to include the Class 2 and Class 3 circuit exemption within the Oklahoma Electrical Act in 2018 and has worked since that time to protect the exemption for residential integrators. With the addition of the word "alarm," integrators would have lost the ability to serve their customers without an electrical license. In February, Senate Bill 1572 was amended, and the word "alarm" has been removed from the Class 2 and Class 3 circuits exemption. Prior to this, CEDIA reached out to the bill sponsor with concerns and requested a meeting. The bill was removed from the committee hearing agenda and later amended. The Class 2 and Class 3 circuits exemption is back to its original intent, which allows for a proper distinction between the work of residential integrators and electricians. Senate Bill 1572 has been successfully amended and has been signed into law with the Class 2 and Class 3 circuits exemption in its original form.
At the beginning of 2024, Rhode Island General Assembly session House Bill 7015 and Senate Bill 2120 were introduced. The bills are related to the businesses and professions of electricians. Both bills would specifically add to the Electrical License and Electrical Contractors license definitions with such broad terms of support systems, lighting, and control of electrical devices forcing residential integrators to become electricians to complete most technology projects throughout Rhode Island if enacted. CEDIA provided written testimony opposing House Bill 7015 before the House Committee on Corporations and opposing Senate Bill 2120 before the Senate Labor Committee. At the end of May, the House Committee on Corporations held another committee hearing on a substitute version of House Bill 7015. The Rhode Island General Assembly session concludes at the end of June.
On March 14, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to create a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless consumer Internet of Things (IoT) products. In an open call for comments, CEDIA expressed support for the concept of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, but also emphasized the importance of professional installation by qualified integrators as a necessary means of safeguarding homeowners. The association asserts that integrators are key in the mitigation of security risks because of their extensive knowledge on how to install, maintain, connect, and deploy technology systems in the home. The FCC cybersecurity labeling voluntary program builds on the significant public and private sector work already underway on IoT cybersecurity and labeling emphasizing the importance of continued partnership so that consumers can enjoy the benefits of this technology with greater confidence and trust.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has provided notice that in 2024 there will be a Federal Register requesting public comment on the next revision of the Standard Occupational Code (SOC). The SOC code revision process will begin in 2024 and conclude in 2028. The SOC Code was last revised in 2018. CEDIA and other industry stakeholders will work to establish the Integrator occupational title within the SOC code revision.
In April, Congressional leaders released a bipartisan, comprehensive data privacy bill that would grant consumers new rights regarding how their information is used by companies, tax-exempt organizations, and other data brokers. The American Privacy Rights Act, if enacted, would establish a federal consumer privacy standard that supersedes the current patchwork of state laws.
In May, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris (D-WA) and Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) held a subcommittee markup on the American Privacy Rights Act discussion draft. CEDIA continues to analyze and monitor the status of the American Privacy Rights Act discussion draft.
CEDIA member involvement through the government affairs process is key to its success. CEDIA is establishing the CEDIA State Captain Program as part of its advocacy efforts. State Captains, when called upon, help analyze bills CEDIA has identified as potentially problematic in their state.
To learn more about the CEDIA State Captain Program and to get involved, contact Darren Reaman, Director of Government Affairs, at dreaman@cedia.org.