by
Rachel Tindall
| Mar 30, 2023
CEDIA tracks, monitors, and lobbies for the smart home technology industry at the federal, state, and local levels for its members and the industry each and every day. It’s important for members to stay informed and get involved in the policy process. Elected officials at each level listen, and your voice key to the process.
Each level of government is unique and has different laws impacting our industry in different ways.
The Federal Level: Big Impacts
Federal laws are passed through Congress and apply to everyone throughout the United States.
The legislative process in Congress can be much longer than at the state or local levels; however, federal legislation and regulations can have far-reaching impacts on our industry.
The State Level: A Fast-Moving Process
Each state has its own legislative process and laws. State laws apply to everyone in a particular state.
State legislature bodies meet every year, and a few states meet every other year. In 2023, all state legislatures are meeting, and CEDIA is tracking a number of bills in each state. Most legislatures are in session for the first part of the year, and twelve run for the full year.
State laws must follow federal laws. An important area for our industry is licensing requirements, which are determined at the state level.
State legislation is fast-moving and it’s important to stay informed on new legislation and follow bills throughout the legislative process for amendments. In addition, the regulatory process impacts the industry at the state level, too.
The Local Level: Local Impact
Local laws are determined in counties, cities, towns, and townships within each state. Local laws, or ordinances, are enacted by each individual community.
The policy process at the local level can also be fast-moving. Local laws often determine permitting and inspection requirements for projects. Federal and state laws must be followed before ordinances.
Get Engaged in the Policy Process
As a CEDIA member and industry stakeholder, you need to know what’s happening in the policy process for your industry. Sign up to receive CEDIA Government Affairs alerts and communications for your area.
Some of the best ways to get involved are:
- Take the time to attend your local representatives Town Hall meetings to build relationships.
- Volunteer to speak on key issues for the industry such as the importance of establishing Integrator as an occupational classification, the importance of project technology in projects, and a proper scope of work for different licenses.
- Take the time to meet with your legislative leaders and build relationships out of session is key to success when important issues come up during legislative sessions.
The legislative process is different at the federal, state, and local levels. Each impacts the smart home technology industry in its own distinct way. CEDIA works each day to ensure your interests are represented at all levels, and we need your voice to be successful.