Advocacy at the State Legislature and the Arizona ArchiPAC

AIA Arizona has an active Government Affairs Committee, composed of members statewide and co-chaired in 2025 by Brandy Koch, AIA, and former Arizona state legislator Christian Solorio, AIA. The committee monitors state legislation, and actively supports legislation that will have a positive impact on the architecture profession and the built environment.

ARIZONA archipac

Arizona ArchiPAC is the only Arizona state-level political action committee (PAC) that is a voice for architects and the architecture profession.

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Exterior view of the Arizona State Capitol Building

An invaluable political tool, a PAC allows a group or association (such as AIA) a greater opportunity to have a seat at the table when decisions are made. Rather than individual contributions to individual candidates, the power of the PAC is a unified voice, visibility, and recognition as a profession.

Arizona ArchiPAC, which only supports state-level legislators and candidates, is overseen by the leadership of the Government Affairs Committee of AIA Arizona. The Arizona ArchiPAC will give to Arizona state legislative candidates who refect the values and core tenets of AIA Arizona, as defined in the AIA Arizona 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.

The Arizona ArchiPAC is state-focused, and completely distinct and separate from the AIA ArchiPAC that is at the national level. State legislation and regulations impact your business and the profession at large.

Architecture is among the most highly regulated and most complex professions. By investing in Arizona ArchiPAC, you raise the level of awareness of your architecture profession within the political process. You can help elect state lawmakers who understand the nature of your profession and are supportive of it. Advocacy gives us a seat at the table ... Arizona ArchiPAC gives us a voice.

Questions about AIA Arizona Advocacy and ArchiPAC?

Contact Executive Director John Czarnecki

Contributions

In 2024, the AIA Arizona Government Affairs Committee approved a slate of state legislative candidates to receive contributions from Arizona ArchiPAC. This slate was selected after thorough discussion and careful deliberation. Contributions were made to the following, all incumbents running for election in 2024:

Rep. Lorena Austin
Rep. Seth Blattman
Sen. Eva Burch
Rep. Michael Carbone
Rep. Quanta Crews
Rep. Oscar De Los Santos
Rep. Tim Dunn
Sen. Brian Fernandez
Rep. Sarah Liguori
Rep. Analise Ortiz (for Senate campaign)
Rep. Betty Villegas
Rep. Justin Wilmeth

Members of AIA Arizona, NOMA Arizona, and USGBC Arizona gathered on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives in March 2024 when a proclamation "American Institute of Architects Arizona Advocacy" was read in the House. Representative Marcelino Quiñonez (center) holds the proclamation.

2025 Arizona Architects Advocacy Day!

On Wednesday, February 12, in collaboration with USGBC and NOMA Arizona, AIA Arizona members joined together at the Arizona State Capitol to participate in representing and advocating for the architecture profession. Scroll down to see images of the day in which AIA attendees met with many state legislators. Learn more about our advocacy efforts here. AIA members met with both Arizona...

Highlights of 2024 Advocacy Efforts

2024 AIA Arizona Advocacy Highlights In 2024, AIA Arizona was very active in advocating for the statewide architecture profession at the state legislature. Our advocacy efforts had a positive impact resulting in the passage of the bill for the continuation of the Arizona Board of Technical Registration (BTR) for 6 years. AIA Arizona leadership was pleased that Governor Katie Hobbs...

Solorio Attends National AIA Workshop for State and Local Government Affairs Leaders

As AIA Arizona Government Affairs Co-Chair, I was pleased to attend the AIA State and Local Government Network (SLGN) Strategic Advocacy Workshop in Minneapolis in November 2024. This was a gathering of advocacy leaders from AIA national, AIA state components, and local AIA chapters to discuss legislative efforts in 2024 with a look ahead to 2025 policy work. The topic...

AIA Arizona Legislative Priorities for 2025

AIA Arizona supports tax credits for sustainable growth and development which includes, but is not limited to, water conservation, energy efficient design, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse. This effective incentive encourages redevelopment and smart growth of local communities, creating new jobs and economic opportunities, while reducing the overall impact on the environment and natural resources.

AIA Arizona promotes the importance of school design which uses proven data-drive design practices for effective learning outcomes. We support maintaining and increasing funding of new school construction and building renewal grants. AIA Arizona supports replacement school funding for facilities that have reached the end of their useful life in low- or no-growth districts where funding sources are limited. In addition, AIA Arizona supports updating school design standards to provide equitable, safe, and open learning environments.