SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2336

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 15, 1997

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2336.

      This bill, as amended by the committee, allows a licensed architect to render architectural services as an agent, director, member, officer, shareholder, associate, employee or partner of a person whose principal business is space planning services, interior design services or the substantial equivalent thereof, provided that the architect exercises independent professional judgment in the rendering of architectural services.

      The bill also amends the definition of "closely allied professional" to include individuals or business entities that provide space planning services, interior design services, or the substantial equivalent thereof. Additionally, this would allow an interior designer to become a part owner of entities that render architectural services, as provided in section 5 of P.L.1989, c.275 (C.45:3-18).

      The committee amended the bill to include a definition of "interior design services."