Be the voice for your profession
Given that almost all the parameters for architectural practice are established by state government, the Texas Society of Architects, on behalf of its members, maintains an active government relations program to know and influence contacts with all three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. TxA is the only organization that represents the interests of architects at state-level policymaking.
View our 2023 Legislative Agenda.
Learn about advocacy & architecture and how you can get involved in this explainer, and see how advocacy issues are elevated through our Advocacy Review Process.
All Politics Are Local
While staff maintains a regular presence at the Capitol and at TBAE meetings, the Society’s members must recognize that individual architects also play an important role in protecting the profession from bad legislation. Elected officials may listen to lobbyists, but they vote on issues that align with the interests of their constituents back home.
The Connection Between Advocacy and Architecture
While the Society maintains an active presence at the Capitol and regulatory meetings, individual members’ actions and meetings with local legislators are the strongest influences for the profession. Elected officials vote on issues that align with constituents in their local districts.
Individual members must develop relationships with their local elected officials to protect the profession from bad legislation, as well as to promote “good” legislation of public benefit.
If the Texas Legislature received no message or input related to the architectural profession, it is very possible that laws could be passed that would hinder the practice and maybe cause failures to occur.
How Can Architects Become Advocates?
Resources for Architects About Actions and Regulations