Design professionals’ protection on hold for '08 session

By Bradner’s Alaska Legislative Digest

Without debate the Senate on Feb. 6 passed House Bill 151 on a 17-0 vote. Sponsored by Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, the bill requires provisions in all public agency contracts with design professionals that apportion indemnification, defense and hold harmless obligations on a comparative fault basis. The Senate Judiciary Committee removed a single phrase from the bill referring to joint liability and it is now awaiting a House concurrence vote. HB 151 passed the House without opposition last May.