Between a rock and a hard place

http://backstageat.backstagejobs.com/?p=412

This morning, the Texas House Senate passed HB 2649, which outlaws nearly all theatrical lighting designers currently working.  This bill forces all lighting designers to be either licensed electricians, or registered as an architect or interior designer.

SECTION 3. Subchapter G, Chapter 1001, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1001.3011 to read as follows:
Sec. 1001.3011. LIGHTING DESIGN; LICENSE OR REGISTRATION
REQUIRED. (a) A person may not perform or offer to perform
lighting design services unless the person is:
(1) licensed as an engineer under this chapter;
(2) registered as an architect, landscape architect,
or interior designer under Subtitle B, Title 6; or
(3) licensed under Chapter 1305.
(b) In this section, “lighting design services” means the
preparation of plans and specifications that depict the placement
and direction of illumination of mounted or installed lighting
fixtures in the interior or exterior of a building, including the
specification of bulbs, reflectors, lens, louvers, baffles, and
other hardware. The term does not include the preparation of shop
drawings or other directions from a manufacturer for the
installation or operation of lighting fixtures.
SECTION 4. Section 1001.401, Occupations Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) A license holder is not required to provide or hold any
additional certification, other than a license issued under this
chapter, to seal an engineering plan, specification, plat, or
report.
SECTION 5.Subchapter F, Chapter 1051, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1051.308 to read as follows:
Sec. 1051.308.  LIGHTING DESIGN; REGISTRATION OR LICENSE
REQUIRED. (a) A person may not perform or offer to perform
lighting design services unless the person is:
(1) registered as an architect, landscape architect,
or interior designer under this subtitle;
(2) licensed as an engineer under Chapter 1001; or
(3) licensed under Chapter 1305.
(b) In this section, “lighting design services” means the
preparation of plans and specifications that depict the placement
and direction of illumination of mounted or installed lighting
fixtures in the interior or exterior of a building, including the
specification of bulbs, reflectors, lens, louvers, baffles, and
other hardware. The term does not include the preparation of shop
drawings or other directions from a manufacturer for the
installation or operation of lighting fixtures.
SECTION 6. Subchapter D, Chapter 1305, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1305.1511 to read as follows:
Sec. 1305.1511. LIGHTING DESIGN; LICENSE OR REGISTRATION
REQUIRED. (a) A person may not perform or offer to perform
lighting design services unless the person is:
(1) licensed under this chapter;
(2) licensed as an engineer under Chapter 1001; or
(3) registered as an architect, landscape architect,
or interior designer under Subtitle B, Title 6.
(b) In this section, “lighting design services” means the
preparation of plans and specifications that depict the placement
and direction of illumination of mounted or installed lighting
fixtures in the interior or exterior of a building, including the
specification of bulbs, reflectors, lens, louvers, baffles, and
other hardware. The term does not include the preparation of shop
drawings or other directions from a manufacturer for the
installation or operation of lighting fixtures.

This bill will become law if signed by the governor, but it also has the votes to override a veto .  BackstageJobs.com urges every designer to join with the IALD in opposing this misguided bill. Otherwise, as of September 1, 2009, there will be a lot of shows going dark.