WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 11, 2024) – CEDIA, the Association for Smart Home Professionals™, organized a Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on March 6 to advocate for current and future generations of the smart home industry. Meetings with political leaders addressed two critical matters: The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (S. 722, H.R. 1477) and creating a classification of “integrator” in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Who: CEDIA board members, executives, and industry leaders met with the legislative offices of U.S. politicians, including Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rep. Don Beyer Jr. (D-VA-8), Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA-1), Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-1), Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA-9), Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD-3), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT-2), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA-2), Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7), Rep. André Carson (D-IN-07), and Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO).
What: CEDIA pledged support for The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (S. 722, H.R. 1477) and urged congress to recognize “integrator” as a profession in its next revision of the SOC system.
When: March 6, 2024
Where: U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Why:
1. The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act would expand eligible uses of tax favorable 529 savings plans to cover costs associated with workforce training and credentialing programs. The legislation would also enable 529 plan beneficiaries to use their funds to pay for examinations necessary to obtain and maintain recognized private professional certifications and other credentials.
2. Smart home professionals, or integrators, are currently misclassified as a subset of the electrical trade within the SOC system. An integrator’s skill set is separate and more diverse than that of an electrician, and therefore requires its own accurate classification in the SOC system.
How: CEDIA representatives conducted a series of sit-down meetings with U.S. legislators and urged CEDIA members to magnify these efforts by sponsoring the legislation and sending a letter to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which oversees the occupational codes.
Statement from Daryl Friedman, CEDIA Global President and CEO:
“At CEDIA’s first annual Day on the Hill, we reinforced our commitment to the smart home industry, advocating for policies that will benefit both current and future generations. The outcomes we seek will not only open doors for aspiring professionals but also elevate the status of our industry as a whole. Support from leaders in Washington is pivotal in ensuring that the smart home industry continues to thrive and innovate.”
Imagery: https://cedia.imagerelay.com/fl/482fed20cdec419dae7e922427227e49
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About CEDIA
CEDIA® is the Association for Smart Home Professionals™. Established in 1989, CEDIA remains founded on the principles of advocacy, connection, and education. Globally, CEDIA defends the rights of technology integrators in governmental bodies, gathers industry professionals and allied tradespeople, and creates trainings, standards, and certifications to ensure the smart home industry advances and draws fresh talent. CEDIA co-owns Integrated Systems Europe, the world’s largest AV and systems integration exhibition, and founded CEDIA Expo, the world’s largest residential technology show. Today, a community of over 30,000 CEDIA members from more than 80 countries deliver home technology solutions that enrich our lives. Learn more about CEDIA at www.cedia.org.
