ACEC Impact: Anti-Contracting Out, Legislative Budgets, Engineering Business Index, and More

ACEC Impact: Your Monthly Roundup of ACEC Washington happenings

Anti-Contracting Out Bill Defeated

HB 1851 was a bill that would have made it more difficult for state agencies (excluding WSDOT) to contract out to the private consulting engineering industry. Instead of making it easier to work with state agencies, it moved in the opposite directions and set up barriers and roadblocks.

Through the dedicated efforts of ACEC, together with the other members of the Architects and Engineers Legislative Council (AELC), the Associated General Contractors (AGC), and the members of the Washington Construction Industry Council (WCIC), HB 1851 was finally defeated on the last day for consideration of bills in the Senate. It came down to the wire, but we were successful this year.

However. . . this is a bill that we will assuredly see again. IT WILL BE BACK!

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Legislature Adjourns, Updated Budgets

Earlier this month, the Washington State Legislature adjourned at the end of its 60-day regular session. What is not thankfully not happening this year is the need for any additional special sessions. Everyone involved in the legislative process greatly appreciates this fact.

The biggest issue the Legislature faced this session was the passage of a “Hirst fix” which related to dealing with a Washington Supreme Court case involving hydrological conditions on rural properties and the ability to build upon them. In 2017, the Legislature was unable to pass a Capital Budget because the budget was linked to fixing Hirst first. That standoff continued into this 2018 session. Fortunately, a compromise was finally reached and the Capital Budget was passed. That budget together with a Supplemental Operations Budget and a Supplemental Transportation Budget can be viewed at: 2018 Washington State Budgets

For a broader look at what occurred, attached is the End of Session Report from Christine Brewer, ACEC’s contract lobbyist in Olympia.

Affiliate Member Spotlight:

Skellenger Bender's Terry Scanlan

Terry Scanlan has represented design firms and owners for over 19 years on litigated cases and also counsels clients on risk management and contracting issues. His previous courtroom experience includes eight years as a King County prosecuting attorney. His practice emphasizes representing clients concerning infrastructure and complex commercial construction projects. He has handled a wide range of professional liability and construction matters, including cases involving design defects, cost and scheduling claims, wrongful death and injured worker claims, site safety claims, construction management issues, and catastrophic construction failures.

Mr. Scanlan is a participant in the ACEC Legal Counsels’ Forum and ACEC-WA, and is an active participant in the Geotechnical Business Association, including as co-chair of its Legal Affairs Committee. Mr. Scanlan is also a frequent continuing education speaker to design professionals on subjects such as risk management, contractual indemnity, efficacy and enforcement of limitation of liability clauses, construction site safety, viability of the economic loss doctrine in construction claims, and general construction and design issues concerning a variety of public and private projects.

Patent Pending: Latest Information Regarding Trends, Potential Abuses, and Best Defensive Practices

Across the nation, there has been a flurry of concern and involvement in the area of patents in the engineering industry. A recent “ Patent Information ” memo documenting these issues was received from ACEC National to be shared with the ACEC membership. Should you have any questions, concerns, or thoughts regarding any of the matters discussed, please contact Van Collins at vcollins@acec-wa.org .

ACEC Engineering Business Index- Take the One-Minute Survey!

ACEC National conducts a monthly survey of the ACEC membership to create its quarterly “ Engineering Business Index ”. This index helps portray the current market health of the industry.

The ACEC Engineering Business Index (EBI) is a leading indicator of America’s economic health based on the business performance and projections of engineering firms that develop the nation’s transportation, water, energy and industrial infrastructure. The EBI is a diffusion index derived from quarterly surveys of engineering industry leaders on their firm’s business, market and financial performance. The EBI index mean is 50, with scores above 50 indicating business expansion, and scores below 50 indicating contraction.

We encourage you to participate in this helpful and valuable resource ACEC EBI Survey - 1st Quarter 2018

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Get to know BluZEBRA Technologies, ACEC Washington's newest Affiliate Member as we enjoy a Mariners game from a luxury suite! Tuesday, April 17th, 6-9pm. Come for cocktails, appetizers, and America's pastime! Please RSVP to Alan Gold: 702-280-1610, agold@bluzebratech.com

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!