Practice

Chair: Steve Masini AIA
larsini@aol.com

Alternative Public Works

Position Statements

• A/E Procurement Position Statement
• Equal Opportunity Position Statement
• Insurance Regulation / Tort Reform Position Statement
• Owner’s Project Representative Position Statement
• Public Works Project Delivery Position Statement
• Registration and Licensing Position Statement
• Statute of Repose Position Statement

Issue Briefs:

• Contracting Out
• CM at Risk
• Design Build
• Interior Designers
• Mandatory Degree &
  Continuing Education
• Tort Reform
• Unlicensed Practice

A/E Procurement

The Council supports the competitive selection of architects and engineers for state and local government (public sector) work based on professional qualification and competence, with negotiated fees for design services.

Equal Opportunity

The Council affirms its belief in the human dignity and self-worth of all persons; and calls for fair, impartial, unbiased, and non-prejudicial treatment of all persons in every employment, education, social and business transaction.

Insurance Regulation/Tort Reform

The Council recognizes that the affordability and availability of liability insurance affects the ability of architects to provide architectural services and impacts the public’s right to adequate protection.

Owner’s Project Representative

The Council strongly recommends that when increased project administration services are required during construction, scope of services and fees of the architect/design team who initially provided the design services should be expanded.

Public Works Project Delivery

The Council recognizes the design and construction process must respond to changing circumstances in the construction industry. Alternative delivery methods should be considered when appropriate for public sector projects. Any delivery system needs to address assignment of responsibilities, including responsibility for professional liability. Determination to use any delivery system should be based on evidence that the system provides good value.

Registration and Licensing

The Council believes the basis for licensing an individual to practice architecture should be for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare.

Statute of Repose

The Council supports accrual and limitations of actions or claims as contained in state law.

Legislative Accomplishments

2005

Liability Reform

• Passed a law to reform the liability standards for condominiums& multifamily housing (HB 1848)
• Stopped a bill to remove statute of repose on residential construction (HB 2004)

Qualifications Based Selection Law

• Stopped a bill to allow considerations of fees in A/E selection (HB 1435, SB 5474)
• Stopped expansion of alternative public works procurement procedures (design/build and general contractor as construction manager) (HB 1902, HB 1830, SB 5768)
• Passed a law creating an oversight board to monitor implementation of alternative public works contracting procedures by state and local government agencies (HB 1830)

Professional Licensing

• Interior Design – Stopped a “title act” registration bill (HB 1878, SB 5754)
• Soil Scientists – Stopped a “practice act” licensing bill (HB 1811, SB 5446)

Offshoring/Outsourcing

• Stopped a bill to discriminate against firms that work out-of-country or partner with foreign firms. (HB 1724, HB 1725, HB 2144, HB 2257, SB 5777)
• Passed a resolution to study “globalization and offshore-outsourcing” with a balanced agenda and balanced representation (SJR 8407)

Campaign Finance

• Stopped a bill that would have prevented companies that contract with the State of Washington from making political donations (HB 1525)

2006

Liability Reform

• Passed a law to establish liability protections for non-profit development of multi-family housing (2SHB 3070)
• Stopped a bill to weaken the statute of repose on residential construction (SHB 2004)
• Stopped a bill to weaken the Condominium Act liability protections (SB 6627)
• Stopped a bill to change lien laws that would have created permitting delays on single-family residential projects (SSB 6740)

Government Contracting

• Stopped bills to expand the use of design?build to more cities and counties (HB 3229, SB 6770, SB 6845)
• Stopped bills that would discriminate against firms that work out-of-country or partner with foreign firms (HB 3055, HB 3160)
• Passed a bill through the Legislature to provide protections when a state agency rejects all offers (HB 1439)

Health Care Reform

• Passed a bill through the Senate to lower the cost of health insurance for small employers (HB 2572)

Professional Licensing

• Soil Scientists – Stopped a confusing “practice act” bill (HB 1811, SB 5446)
• Building Designers – Stopped a proposed bill to license building designers