See the entire 2010
WSLC Legislative Report
Homeowners Bill of Rights killed
For the fourth straight year, the Washington State Labor Council supported the Homeowners Bill of Rights, Sen. Adam Kline’s (D-Seattle) SB 6701, allowing consumers to recover repair costs in court if their homes are damaged by negligent construction.
And for the fourth straight year, the Building Industry Association of Washington prevented a vote on the bill. It previously passed the Senate only to be quashed by House Democratic leaders. This year, Sen. Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens), who previously voted for the bill, flip-flopped and decided to oppose it in this election year. Unfortunately, with no Republicans willing to buck their BIAW benefactors, Hobbs was the key to the 25 votes needed for passage, so it was never brought to the floor.
Supporters may force a vote with an Initiative to the Legislature. Stay tuned.
BIAW ♥s illegal contractors
SB 6575, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, was an effort to address a joint task force’s recommendations on the underground economy. Business and labor came together to back this bill addressing the problem of legitimate registered contractors being undermined by illegal under-the-table contractors.
The bill passed the Senate 34-11 and was improved in Rep. Steve Conway’s House Commerce and Labor Committee with tougher penalties for illegal contractors. But that change was stripped out by legislators who, acting on behalf of the BIAW, said the penalties were too harsh. Among the changes in Rep. Judy Clibborn’s (D-Mercer Island) amendment (see House Vote #8) was to allow unregistered contractors to avoid stiff fines and penalties by taking a class.
After the weakened bill passed both houses, Gov. Gregoire vetoed it.
Electrical training improved
HB 2546 increases the number of classroom hours required to renew an electrical trainee certificate. Strongly supported by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, it passed the House 58-37, passed the Senate 27-20, and was signed into law by Gov. Chris Gregoire.
There are many, many more stories included in the print version of the WSLC's 2010 Legislative Report. See the Table of Contents. Also, members of WSLC-affiliated unions can request a free copy of the printed version of the report.
2010 Senate Voting Record -- 2010 House Voting Record
Copyright © 2010 Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO