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Who’s on First? Washington State Employer Liability at the Worksite for Safety Violations
The Washington Supreme Court handed down a new framework last week on an employer’s responsibility at the worksite for health and safety violations. The Tradesmen decision
results from two separate lawsuits involving different industries in which st...
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Construction Webinar: Workplace Policies, M/WBE Certification, and Equity in Construction Contracting
The Pacific Northwest construction industry continues to advance ways to create a harmonious and diversified workplace, maximize project opportunities through M/WBE certification, and implement equity and inclusivity in public and private construct...
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Bend Continues to Plan for Affordable Housing through a Unique Urban Growth Boundary Amendment
On September 1, 2021, the Bend City Council adopted a resolution that will help move forward an innovative affordable housing pilot program. A lack of affordable housing has been a problem in many Oregon communities for years, and numerous state and...
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Right of Access to Public Roads: A Primer
A property owner’s right of access to an abutting public road is one of the more legally arcane sticks in the so-called “bundle of sticks” that constitute property rights. Known as a “common-law right of access,” the legal framework has developed via...
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Prevailing Wage Calculation Method Challenged and Determined to Be Unconstitutional
Public works contractors must pay prevailing wages as required by state law. RCW 39.12.010. Twice a year, the industrial statistician for the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) sets the prevailing wages that are used to determine the wages for em...
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Offshore Wind Bill Signed into Law and Effective September 25, 2021
The Oregon legislature has overwhelmingly approved an offshore wind bill, HB 3375, that sets a goal for the development of up to three gigawatts of floating offshore wind by 2030. Governor Brown signed HB 3375 into law on June 23, 2021. The new law i...
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