The Maryland Design Excellence Commission is a step closer to becoming reality.
Hearings at the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis are set for March 3 by the Senate Finance Committee, and March 11 by the House Economic Matters Committee, on a bill that would establish the design commission on Oct. 1, 2015. Members of the design, business and public sectors are invited to submit testimony about the legislation.
The Maryland Design Excellence Commission would integrate design thinking and processes into public and private sector innovation, sustainability and accessibility by bringing together legislators and public and private sector executives, with design professionals from all design principles—to exchange best practices for developing design-driven organizations.
The bill would provide for the composition, chair and staffing of the 30-member commission; prohibit a member of the commission from receiving specified compensation but authorizing the reimbursement of specified expenses; and require the commission to study, develop specified plans and programs and establish specified events regarding design excellence initiatives.
The legislation is co-authored by Stephanie F. Yoffee, design policy researcher; Jay P. Corvan, architect; Maren M. Maier, design strategist; and Gary L. Norman, attorney.
It’s sponsored by Sen. Catherine E. Pugh of Baltimore City and Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, representing Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties.