http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/chopp_the_biaw_whats_missinng_from_the_p An important detail is missing from this morning's coverage of Rep. Frank Chopp's counter-proposal to Sen. Brian Weinstein's homebuyers' bill of rights legislation. While some accounts explain that Chopp (who killed Sen. Weinstein's bill late last week at the behest of the Building Industry Association of Washington) crafted his alternative proposal (a study!!) with Democratic Rep. Mark Ericks (D-1, Bothell), they fail to report that Rep. Ericks was the guest of honor at last Tuesday's BIAW fund raiser at the BIAW's offices in Olympia. Killing Sen. Weinstein's bill—which would have guaranteed a warranty for consumers when they buy a new... Copyright 2008 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:12:32 -0800 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:00:23 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Josh, please stop characterizing this as "at the behest of the BIAW". Other groups are also opposed to this bill, such as the American Institute of Architects, the Assoc of Washington Cities, and Washington Realtors, three groups who generally act in the interest of citizens and homebuyers. They are not opposed to this bill in principle, but because they have specific technical objections. If Weinstein and others can craft a better bill, it will receive broader support.
From the AIA/WA website:
"From the perspective of AIA/WA, the bill has many negatives. It uses a few of the provisions of the Condominium Act reforms, but leaves out many of the provisions that have worked to improve construction and reduce litigation. It expands liability with new warranties, but provides little protection from meritless suits."

]]> grumpypants http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/chopp_the_biaw_whats_missinng_from_the_p#c965500 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/chopp_the_biaw_whats_missinng_from_the_p#c965500 News Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:07:43 -0800 I think the BIAW has a little more clout than the AIA. And the BIAW has been a more vehement and public source of opposition.

]]> Hernandez http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/chopp_the_biaw_whats_missinng_from_the_p#c965749 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/chopp_the_biaw_whats_missinng_from_the_p#c965749 News Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:00:23 -0800