ACEC Impact: Legislative Updates, Developing Leaders Group, Indemnification Issues, and More

ACEC Impact: Your Monthly Roundup of ACEC Washington happenings

Indemnification Being Discussed With Washington Cities Insurance Authority

After ACEC led the effort in 2012 to add engineering services to the list of services protected by Washington State “Anti-Indemnification Statute” ( RCW 4.24.115 ), the Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA) promulgated a broad form “ standard indemnification provision ” that it recommended Washington cities utilize in response. Not surprisingly, that “standard indemnification provision” implemented by numerous cities across the state, most often as part of non-negotiable “boilerplate” terms and conditions. Unfortunately, that provision has also created angst, confusion, and concern amongst the consulting engineering community.

The provision’s impact has been significant. It has required, on a contract by contract basis, that ACEC members attempt to negotiate with public owners to clarify and alter the impacts of the provision. The results have been mixed, but usually unsatisfactory.

Given this history and the importance to our membership, ACEC has reached out to WCIA in an effort to collaboratively explain why the promulgated provision is problematic to the consulting engineering community, why it is not in cities’ best interests, and how there is a better path to take that will benefit both parties.

We have now held our first meeting with WCIA and, while the meeting was not completely uncontentious, it still ended with an agreement that ACEC would provide WCIA with an alternative provision to consider. We will be supplying that alternative to WCIA in the very short future for their consideration and we will keep the membership informed as things progress forward. We are cautiously optimistic. More to come!

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Legislative Update

The State Legislature has passed its halfway point in term of the legislative process. Bills must have made it out of the house of origin to remain alive (except not true of budget related bills). The process gains speed, however, as it moves towards the session’s final date in just over two weeks on March 8 ^th .

The 2018 Supplemental Budgets have now been released and can be found at: 2018 Supplemental Budgets .

One of the bills that ACEC continues to be actively engaged in opposing is HB 1851. This bill would make it more difficult to contract out services by state agencies (expect the WSDOT) and universities.

Van Collins, ACEC President and CEO, recently testified against the bill in the Senate State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee on behalf of both ACEC and the Washington Construction Industry Council (WCIC). A copy of his testimony is available here.

It is notable that ACEC is gaining assistance from...

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Developing Leaders Group Relaunches

With a new year comes new initiatives, and ACEC is thrilled that the start of 2018 has brought with it the re-invigoration of our Developing Leaders Group. ACEC Washington’s Developing Leaders Group is comprised and led by today’s rising stars in the design profession. The DLG’s purpose is to foster relationships among the next generation of leaders. Through events targeted to the up-and-coming leaders, DLG offers education, information, and just good old fashion fun.

Our newest DLG offering is our Happy Hour Networking Series. Hosted by ACEC Member Firms, these free evening events feature short presentations and group discussions about pertinent industry topics. We offer free snacks and drinks, raffle prizes, and a great opportunity to talk with fellow future leaders. Topics have included business marketing, mentoring, project delivery methods, and more.

We encourage anyone who is striving to improve their career path partake in the DLG offerings, and get involved with the group. Establishing connections and contributing to the network of the next group of firm leaders will provide amazing peer support as new leaders face the challenges and successes of the profession. A special thank you to Brad Lentz of Notkin Mechanical Engineers, Laura Ruppert of Osborn Consulting, and Ben Upsall of GeoEngineers for spearheading the effort!

Affiliate Member Spotlight: Clark Nuber

Headquartered in the Seattle metro area, Clark Nuber PS is an award-winning CPA and consulting firm that has been providing exceptional service for more than six decades. We are an Accounting Today Top 100 Regional Leader, with over 200 professionals who serve a broad range of clients with operations throughout the world. Our services include reporting on financial statements and indirect cost schedules (audits, reviews and compilations); internal audit support; IT services; internal control systems; indirect cost rate consulting; merger and acquisition services; federal, state and local, and international tax planning and compliance; CFO/Controller/accounting services, and specialty audits, including retirement plans and government grants.

An ACEC member firm since 2009, Clark Nuber has participated in teaching the Finance and Accounting segment of the Core Competencies for Professionals program, presented on accounting and tax topics at ACEC Business Breakfast sessions, and is an active sponsor of multiple ACEC semi-annual conferences.

Serving the community in which we live and work is integral to our culture at Clark Nuber.

We want to hear from you! Would you like to to see your firm highlighted? Do you have suggestions for seminar topics or ideas for events? Pressing legislative issues you'd like to see ACEC tackle? Let us know!