It has come to our attention that California Watch, an online, self-described, “Independent, nonpartisan Center for Investigative Reporting”, will be circulating articles to local media outlets focused on seismic safety, outlining a series of failures by state regulators, school officials and inspectors over lax enforcement of the Field Act.
The allegations of failure to enforce the Field Act, are in regard to provisions related to the requirements of AB 300 and the number of uncertified projects (buildings lacking Field Act certification) as required by the Division of the State Architect’s (DSA) Closeout and Project Certification process.
California Watch has made these stories available to local media outlets for the stated purpose that “After reading these stories, reporters at other media outlets may want to dig deeper into their local schools.”
Because the potential exists that these articles may also be critical of architects and the profession, we would be remiss in our responsibility to the profession, and naïve in our estimation of the issue, if we did not share this information with you.
The AIACC wants to ensure that its members are prepared for local press inquiries, which we believe are likely. For further information, or to speak to the AIACC regarding this issue, please contact Kurt Cooknick, Assoc. AIA, Director of Regulation and Practice, or call (916) 642-1706.
