Government Affairs

The ALA operates a regulatory affairs program that works with international, federal and state/provincial governmental agencies, environmental groups and standard and code organizations that influence how lighting products are designed, manufactured and sold by our members.

A key stance of the association is the Call for Practical Energy Policy, which urges legislative and regulatory bodies in the U.S. and Canada to adopt energy efficiency policies that recognize the importance of the proper application of lighting and its impact on human well being and commerce. This call to action was developed in partnership with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
 

Download the ALA 2011 Policy Positions.


Recent ALA Legislative Issues:

Interior Design Protection Acts
New legislation has been introduced in several states that would limit the ability of ALA member showrooms to provide lighting design and consultation services without going through additional licensing requirements. The ALA helped defeat these efforts in 18 states during 2009 and continues to fight them as they are introduced.

Ceiling Fan Tariff Exemption
The ALA has worked vigorously to have Congress to reinstate the 4.7% tariff exemption to avoid hardship on the ceiling fan industry, showrooms and sales representatives. The amendment would help save jobs, improve the economy, reduce ceiling fan prices, and promote energy efficiency. 
 
Support on Unifying the ENERGY STAR Program
The ALA supports the actions called for in the DOE/EPA Memorandum of Understanding regarding the non-conflicting division of ENERGY STAR's responsibility/authority. The ALA strongly recommends Congress adopt the language of the Memorandum without revisions. 
 
Canadian Fan Regulations
The ALA is working with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to lessen the expense of Canadian fan regulations regarding new energy efficiency requirements. 
 
Portable Lighting Energy Efficiency Regulations
The ALA supports the adoption of the "Bulb in the Box" California legislation at the federal level to preempt individual states from passing laws that would harm portable lighting sales. The association helped develop the California proposal as an alternate to legislation that would have required power limiter devices on all portable products. 
 
Employee Free Choice Act
The ALA strongly opposes the Employee Free Choice Act that would eliminate management's right to inform their employees of their views regarding possible unionization of their business and eliminate employees' rights to a secret ballot in determining whether they want to support a union at their workplace.