Business conditions at architecture firms backslid in December, ending a tough year on a disappointing note. The AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score declined to 42.6 for the month, indicating that more firms saw declining billings in December than in November.

For a number of reasons, including budgetary cutbacks, lack of skilled workers, and staffing demands caused by disasters or emergencies, local building code entities sometimes seek to transfer their administrative responsibilities.