Action Alert Issued on Certificate of Merit Bill

The AIA/WA has issued an all member Action Alert on the Certificate of Merit Bill, SB 5833. The alert was issued through the AIA Advocacy Center and calls on AIA members to contact their Senators to support SB 5833. The bill must pass the full Senate by March 14, 2007, or it is dead for the year. As previously reported, the bill is now in the Rules Committee, which decides the bills that will move the Senate floor for a vote. It is critical that SB 5833 move to the floor quickly before the next deadline on March 14.

To take action today, visit the AIA Advocacy Center and click on “Contact Your State Officials” for the alert, talking points on the bill and additional information on how to contact your individual senator.

Senate Committee Hears Certificate of Merit Bill

On Friday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the AIA/WA-backed bill, SB 5833, to require a “certificate of merit” be filed prior to a lawsuit proceeding against a licensed design professional (architect, engineer, landscape architect or land surveyor). Last year the legislature passed a similar requirement for medical professionals as part of a larger package on medical liability reform. Several states currently have this requirement for design professionals as well. AIA/WA is pushing the bill as part of the Architects & Engineers Legislative Council (AELC). The only testimony against the bill was from the Washington State Trial Lawyers Assn. Even though WSTLA agreed to similar language for medical professionals, they continue to oppose our bill.

Now that the bill has had a hearing, it is eligible to be considered in “executive session” and passed out of the committee. The next step is to schedule a committee vote on the bill.