The Race is On

Filing week came to a close last week on June 6. Who is involved in state races is now set and the AIA Washington Council is reaching out to political candidates. Among the candidates the Council supports is Sue Lani Madsen, who is running in the 7th district. If Madsen wins she would be the only Washington state legislator in the architectural profession. Madsen is the founding partner of Madsen Mitchell Evenson Conrad, pllc.

The Secretary of State’s office makes it easy to view who has registered at their website. The site will allow searches both by Federal and State office; the Governor’s race is under the Statewide Office label. Make sure to click on the Legislative Offices tab to see who is running in your district.

Washington has races this year for all nine congressional seats, nine statewide office, three state Supreme Court positions and numerous legislative and local races. The races have drawn heaps of candidates this year.

The new top-two primary may be the reason for the increased amount of candidates. As of April 2008, Washington will allow the two candidates with the most votes to move on to the general election, even if they are from the same party. The primary election is Aug. 19, and the general election is Nov. 4.

In addition to the primary modification, candidates also no longer list their party affiliation, but instead list a preference. These changes have been the source of some confusion and amusement that may make the new primary system short lived. Regardless of the outcome, results of the 2008 elections promise to be interesting. Stay posted for new updates on AIA involvement.

Hearing on A/E Procurement Law Improvements

Yesterday the Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee looked at many bills introduced in the aftermath of a critical audit of the Port of Seattle. The audit found many procurement problems.

Senator Mary Margaret Haugen (D-10, Camano Island) introduced SB 6235 to broaden the application of state procurement laws to all port activities. The AIA/WA was opposed the bill as it was introduced. The original version added architectural and engineering services to the definition of “public work.” This change would create a conflict between the states construction bidding law and the qualifications-based selection (QBS) process used for professional services.

But, at the hearing Senator Haugen made it clear she understood the AIA/WA’s concerns. She offered a substitute version that took out all of the offending provisions and made several steps to improve the state’s A/E procurement law.

First, it retains a provision providing for fines and penalties if public agencies fail to follow state law on architecture and engineering services procurement.

Second, it expands the QBS law to include other services traditionally offered by architecture and engineering firms such as: project management, construction supervision, construction management, environmental services, technical testing and inspection services.

There are still some technical and terminology changes that need to be made to the bill. But, it is now a bill that the AIA/WA can enthusiastically support.

Building Official Liability Bill Has Hearing

Today, the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee heard testimony on SB 5892. This bill would create new liability for county and city building inspectors when the lack of inspection or enforcement of the building code results in damage to property. The bill states, “A county or city is liable for damages caused by their negligent failure to enforce the provisions of the state building code. The liability of a county or city is limited to fifty percent of the actual damages proved.”

The AIA Washington Council signed-in as being opposed to the bill. AIA member John Neff, AIA, testified against the bill in his role as a city building official. To listen to the hearing, go to www.tvw.org and enter the bill number in the search engine.

Bill to Alter Vesting Laws Passes Senate Committee

Today, the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee passed SB 5507 to dramatically alter the state’s vesting laws for building codes, zoning and growth management laws. This bill would shift the point in time for vesting projects under current laws from when a complete permit application is submitted to when the application is approved. The bill would basically eliminate vesting because if a law is changed before the start of “substantial construction” it allows changes in the laws to be applied retroactively and the permit to be divested or rescinded. For the Growth Management Act (GMA) it would apply all Growth Management Hearings Boards’ decisions to be applied retroactively and permits to be rescinded.