Over the past six months, CEDIA's advocacy efforts have been dynamic and extensive. In addition to regular monitoring of bills and state legislative sessions, the government affairs department has orchestrated significant initiatives in Washington, D.C., Oklahoma, Michigan, and with the FCC. These proactive measures have brought the professional smart home industry to the attention of numerous politicians, many of whom had little prior knowledge of an integrator's daily work.
The following timeline highlights key moments in CEDIA's government affairs efforts from October to March.
During the inaugural CEDIA Smart Home Day on Captiol Hill, board members, executives, and industry leaders engaged in pivotal discussions with U.S. political leaders to introduce CEDIA and advocate for critical issues facing the professional smart home industry. One of the key focal points was the endorsement of The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act (S. 722 / H.R. 1477), which would broaden the scope of tax-favorable 529 savings plans to include workforce training and credentialing programs. Additionally, CEDIA urged Congress to formally recognize “integrator” as a profession within the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, highlighting the distinct skill set of smart home professionals. The federal register’s call for public comments will open in spring 2024, beginning a multi-year revision process slated for completion by 2028.
Oklahoma Senate Bill 1572, as introduced at the start of the 2024 legislative session, added the word "alarm" to Class 2 and Class 3 circuit 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 their 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 a 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.
The proposed Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program indicates that devices must meet certain security requirements, akin to the well-known Energy Star for energy consumption. In an open call for comments, CEDIA expressed support for the concept of the 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.
CEDIA marked its first in-person lobby day in Michigan alongside local integrators and industry leaders. Michigan is one of 24 states that has neither licensing nor exemptions for Class 2 and Class 3 power limited circuits as defined by the National Electrical Code, causing ambiguity as to what an integrator is permitted to perform within the home environment. CEDIA's primary goal was to introduce legislative leaders to the industry and the vital role of integrators in home enivornments. The event also emphasized the overall importance of supporting skilled trades industries.
