Weinstein, Williams revamp legislation to protect homeowners’ rights

OLYMPIA – Sen. Brian Weinstein, D - Mercer Island, and Rep. Brendan Williams, D - Olympia, have introduced identical homeowners' bills of rights in the House and Senate.

During the 2007 legislative session, a Weinstein bill to provide statutory warranties on new construction passed the Senate 30-19, and also passed the House Judiciary Committee, but was not brought up for a House floor vote.  The new two-sentence-long Weinstein/Williams bill gives consumers a cause of action in negligence against homebuilders that fail to exercise a reasonable duty of care in home construction or remodeling.  This protection will operate independently of any builder-supplied warranties, which generally operate no longer than one year and provide inadequate remedies.

"At a time when mortgages are failing and economic uncertainty rising, a builder's negligence should never put anyone out of their home," stated Weinstein.  "We must ensure homeownership dreams are not turned into nightmares."

Weinstein and Williams, both attorneys, noted that no separate provision for attorney fees is made in their bill.  "We make it clear that this bill benefits one group, and one group only: consumers.  To oppose this bill is to support negligence," stated Williams.

The companion bills are:

Senate Bill 6385
House Bill 2837

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