Weinstein Housing Lawsuit Bill Heard in Committee

Senator Brian Weinstein’s (D-41, Mercer Island) latest effort to expand architect and contractor liability in housing construction had a hearing today. The Senate Consumer Protection & Housing Committee listened to testimony about SB 6385. This bill creates a new legal cause of action for construction defects. A proposed substitute was presented before the committee that would apply the bill to any construction professional involved with residential construction, including architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, etc.

Cliff Webster, counsel to the Architects & Engineers Legislative Council, testified against the bill on behalf of the design professionals. He cited concerns about past insurance rate hikes for design professionals. Also testifying were representatives of the Building Industry Association of Washington.

You can view the hearing or download the audio in an MP3 file at www.tvw.org.