In his column in The Columbian, AWB president Don Brunell considers the effects of regulation on housing prices, noting that proposed legislation which make a bad situation worse.
... Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-Mercer Island, is sponsoring legislation that imposes new burdens on contractors who build or remodel homes. Senate Bill 6385 greatly expands the legal liability for contractors, making it much easier for lawyers to sue them over construction defects.
If this measure passes, it will increase housing costs before the first lawsuit is filed. Insurance premiums will skyrocket at the mere prospect of a new class of liability lawsuits.
He praises an alternative.
One state lawmaker is taking a better approach.
House Bill 3349, sponsored by Rep. Mark Ericks, D-Bothell, requires the State Department of Licensing (DOL) to work with representatives of consumer protection groups, legal authorities, contractors and consumers to examine licensing programs in other states, evaluate consumer complaints, and conduct public hearings to determine what the problem is. ...Ericks' "look before you leap" approach will help pinpoint what the real problems are and help fix problems without lawsuits.
Fortunately, many lawmakers agree. HB 3349 passed the full House, 93-1, on Feb. 15 and was referred to the state Senate. Let's hope the Senators make the right call on this one before the session ends on March 14.
