The legislative process moves quickly and there are many steps CEDIA takes to ensure the industry’s voice is heard on key issues. Members play an important role throughout the process.

CEDIA’s legislative tracking system is critical to CEDIA’s advocacy program. MultiState Associates, who provides the system, is a full-spectrum government relations firm. CEDIA and MultiState work to refine search terms and then MultiState’s software searches state legislative websites for legislation and regulations based on CEDIA’s search terms.

MultiState has a dedicated policy analyst for CEDIA’s legislative issues. Their job is to review legislation each day and forward a report to CEDIA for review. If CEDIA identifies a legislative bill as priority for the industry, this often starts the process of CEDIA’s advocacy work the bill.

When & How Does CEDIA Get Involved?

There are many ways CEDIA members can engage in the multistep legislation process. Once a bill is identified as a priority bill, CEDIA utilizes its digital advocacy tool to communicate with its members in the state or municipality impacted. This communication includes a call to action for members related to the legislative bill. Some common calls to action include communicating with local representatives and attending legislative sessions.

Following these initial steps, CEDIA registers as a lobbying entity in the state or municipality. Once the lobbyist registration is completed, CEDIA reaches out to the bill sponsor and/or committee members if the bill has been assigned to a committee. At this point CEDIA will also draft amendment language with supporting talking points, and work on written testimony and oral comments in anticipation of a committee hearing on the legislation.

Getting Involved

It’s vital to take the time and get involved when you receive a CEDIA Advocacy communication with a call to action. Having members involved in the legislative process and helping to provide education for legislators is critical. This is a platform to share the impact proposed legislation could have on the home technology industry. Your industry.  

As a small business owner or stakeholder in the home technology industry, it’s important to take the time to be involved in these processes. Attend your local government officials’ town hall meetings and introduce yourself. Share how their decisions and policies can change the face of your business and the industry as a whole. During the legislative sessions, these district relationships play a role in whether (or not) legislation becomes law.

CEDIA works to be your voice throughout the legislative process every day. We prize member support and participation in the supporting and making advocacy efforts more impactful. We appreciate the time and insight you provide through this important process. Thank you for stepping up and being an advocate for your industry – together we are the Voice of the Home Technology Industry.

CEDIA will also request meetings with the bill sponsor and any co-sponsors of the bill. Legislative meetings and committee hearings are great opportunities to have CEDIA members attend and provide valuable perspectives on the impacts the proposed legislation will have on small businesses, specifically the home technology industry.

CEDIA works year-round to educate legislators and staff on what integrators do and the important services provided by the home technology industry. In addition, CEDIA works other industry stakeholders that share common legislative positions, monitor any amendments to the legislation, and connect members in legislative districts with committee members and bill sponsors.