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Democracy in Design Act
12/31/2022, 8:59 AM
Summary of Bill HR 5291
The bill proposes the creation of a Design Equity Fund, which would provide grants to organizations that work to increase diversity in the design industry. These grants would be used to support initiatives such as mentorship programs, scholarships, and outreach efforts to encourage individuals from marginalized communities to pursue careers in design.
Additionally, the Democracy in Design Act aims to increase representation of underrepresented groups in design education and professional organizations. The bill calls for the establishment of a task force to study and make recommendations on how to improve diversity and inclusion in the design field. Overall, the Democracy in Design Act seeks to address the lack of diversity in the design industry and create opportunities for individuals from underrepresented communities to succeed in this field. By providing support and resources to promote diversity and inclusion, this bill aims to create a more equitable and representative design industry.
Congressional Summary of HR 5291
Democracy in Design Act
This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to ensure that the construction and acquisition of federal public buildings (e.g., agency office buildings) adheres to the principles of the report titled Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture.
The report was published by the Ad Hoc Committee on Federal Office Space on June 1, 1962, and serves as the policy directive for the GSA's Design Excellence Program within its Public Buildings Service. Among other principles, the report prescribes against the development of an official architectural style for government buildings and encourages the government to avoid excessive uniformity in building design.
The GSA must issue such regulations as necessary to implement the amendment made by this bill and to establish minimum standards for the construction and acquisition of public buildings in the United States.
