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Retention Reform Bill Passed in Washington for Private Construction Projects
May 2023 Update: SSB5528 was signed into law on May 9, 2023 by Governor Inslee, completing a near unanimous support for this new retention statute from the construction industry as well as politicians from both sides of the aisle. As the governor me...
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Lien Rights on Tenant Improvement Work: A Cross-Jurisdictional Perspective
Tenant improvement work is a common source of construction liens. When liens arise out of tenant improvement work, the question is always: does the lien attach to the owner/landlord’s ownership interest in the property, or does the lien attach solely...
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EPA Issues Drinking Water Standard for Six PFAS
On March 14, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for six PFAS under the Proposed Rule: perfluorooctanoic ac...
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Washington Speculative Builders: Tax Traps for the Unwary
What’s in a name? For real estate developers operating in Washington State as a “speculative builder” rather than a “prime contractor,” naming matters. Speculative builders are not required to pay retailing business and occupation (B&O) tax or colle...
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Vancouver Seeks to Expand Affordable Housing Opportunities
The Vancouver area has grown rapidly in the past decade and this growth has increased the demand for housing, however the supply is struggling to keep up. This in turn has led to higher rents and higher home prices, leaving a dearth of affordable hou...
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Prospective Purchaser Agreements: The Importance of PPAs When Purchasing Contaminated Oregon Properties
Purchasers of contaminated property are often familiar with obtaining a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) in the hopes of maintaining the CERCLA bona fide prospective purchaser defense, but sometimes they overlook the fact that Oregon offer...
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