Legislative Hearings This Week

Steve Goldblatt, recently retired, longtime University of Washington Construction Management faculty member specializing in design and construction law has been covering the legislative scene in Olympia for more than 25 years.

I've invited Steve to contribute guest blog entries on bills under consideration in the Washington State Legislature relating to public works and contracting, architects/engineers, and contractors. In this entry, Steve summarizes some a number of bills that will receive a hearing this week.

• Housing Authorities: HB 2517 would exempt housing authorities (Chapter 35.82 RCW) from laws governing the construction, alteration, repair, or improvement of property by other public bodies. Hearing on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in the House Local Government & Housing Committee
  
  
• Bid Limits for Ferries and Terminals: HB 2271 would allow state work forces to maintain and preserve WSDOT ferry vessels and terminals if the estimate cost of the work is less than $120,000 (RCW 47.28.030). This bill passed the House last session, 94-2. Hearing on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 3:30 p.m. in the House Transportation Committee.
  
  
• Interior Designers: HB 1608 would recognize interior designers as a separate profession. No one could practice or use the label "interior design" in his/her name unless registered with a new Washington State Board of Interior Design. This bill didn't get a hearing in committee last session. It's at least the fourth attempt to recognize interior designers. The first attempt, HB 2513, came closest when it passed the House in 2004, 55-42. Hearing on Friday, January 15, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. in the House Commerce & Labor Committee.
  
  
• Architects: SHB 1634 would update the Architects Act (Chapter 18.08 RCW) for the first time since 1985 to reflect modern practices by modifying applicants' requirements, exam procedures, practice exemptions, professional development, business entity registration, and out-of-state firm requirements. Companion bill SSB 5529 passed the Senate last session, 42-2. Hearing on Friday, January 15, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. in the House Commerce & Labor Committee.
  
  
• Wastewater Treatment Systems Designers: HB 2589 would modify licensing provisions for on-site wastewater treatment systems designers (Chapter 18.210 RCW), including experience and experience verification requirements. Hearing on Friday, January 15, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. in the House Commerce & Labor Committee.
  
  
• False Claims: SB 5144 would provide that a person who knowingly presents, or assists in the presentation of a false or fraudulent claim that results in losses to a state or local government entity of at least $1,000 is liable for a civil penalty of $5,000-$10,000 plus three times the damages, attorneys fees, and costs. This bill didn't come to a vote in committee last session. It's at least the third attempt to pass a false claims act. The first attempt, ESSB 5439, came closest when it passed the Senate in 1999, 48-0. Hearing on Friday, January 15, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Judiciary Committee.