Weekly Legislative Update
February 15, 2008

In this issue:
· LRC places Daily Journal of Commerce op-ed
· Lawmakers ignore fiscal impact of HB 1873
· February 19: next cut-off date
· Burdensome liability bills die
· $54 million laptop

LRC places Daily Journal of Commerce op-ed;

Contractor legislation contrasted

Two bills concerned with construction liability remain alive following the recent session cut-off dates. To get the word out on the effect of HB 3349 and SB 6385, the LRC this week placed an op-ed signed by one of its member groups in the Feb. 13 Daily Journal of Commerce.

The LRC opposes SB 6385, which is a sweeping expansion of construction liability. Read the Washington Construction Industry Council’s position paper.

The LRC supports HB 3349, which calls for a comprehensive review aimed at finding solutions for protecting consumers without destroying the construction industry’s important contribution to our economy. Sponsors of the bill include Rep. Mark Ericks, D-Bothell, and Rep. Deb Eddy, D-Kirkland.

The Daily Journal op-ed was signed by Bill Garrity, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington, a long-time LRC member. Garrity also is the current president of the Washington Construction Industry Council.

See the LRC bill tracker for status of these bills.

Lawmakers ignore fiscal impact of HB 1873

Local governments across the state have serious concerns about the fiscal impact of HB 1873 to their budgets. Apparently, lawmakers don’t care.

HB 1873, a drastic expansion of the wrongful death statute, was moved out of House Rules Committee yesterday and is headed for floor debate. The LRC and its allies continue to seek amendments to address the major problems in this bill.

The bill is expected to cost state and local governments tens of millions of dollars, which will result in higher taxes or reduced services.

Read more on the LRC HB 1873 Issue Brief.

February 19: next cut-off date

The cut-off for bills to be considered in the house of origin is 5 p.m., Tuesday, February, 19.

Burdensome liability bills die

Following weeks of hard work, the LRC and its liability members were able to kill most of the 30-plus liability bills active in the 2008 legislature, including:

HB 2142—creating a new cause of action for workplace bullying
HB 2945—creating a new cause of action for death of a companion animal
SB 6614—providing unlimited exemplary or punitive damages for ANY civil action
SB5815/SB 6382—expanded Consumer Protection Act

$54 million laptop

Another $54 million lawsuit has been filed—not for a pair of pants missing from the dry cleaners as we witnessed in the Washington, D.C. courts last year, but for a laptop lost in the repair shop.

Even though the consumer was paid the price of her laptop and given a $500 gift certificate to compensate for her trouble, a 37-year-old Washington, D.C., woman has filed a lawsuit seeking $54 million in damages from Best Buy for problems encountered in repairing her laptop. Read the story.

Check out the LRC Bill Tracker for a concise, up-to-date listing of action on 2008 liability legislation being considered in the Washington Legislature.