I’m discussing this with my husband, who has both theatrical and contracting experience, and while we can see a legitimate state interest in regulating certain electrical contractors (in order to avoid fires, for example, or sub-standard lighting installation in residential buildings), it doesn’t sound as though this legislation, as written, has taken into account that not every lighting installation is meant to be permanent, or that not every theatre (bar, concert hall, church) has the budget to hire a licensed electrician to design their light plots. (Not that I’d hire an electrician to design a light plot for a show, unless I knew he was also a theatrical lighting designer.)

If the state truly believes this is necessary (and is not merely reacting to pressure from industries which may be concerned about protecting their economic interests from lower-priced, unlicensed competitors), then at the very least there should be a low-cost means for theatrical lighting designers to obtain state registration, so that they aren’t put out of work, and theatres and other entertainment venues aren’t forced to either “overhire” or sidestep the law.