A new bill out of the House will try to do what a Senate bill could not do last session – substantially increase tort claim payment costs for local governments.
HB 1754, sponsored by Reps. David Hackney (D–Seattle) and Steve Kirby (D–Tacoma), would allow interest on judgments
for tortious conduct to begin accruing from the date on which a person suffers an injury or loss. This means interest would start to accrue before a claim was filed and before a city was made aware of the injury or loss. The change in legislation
would apply to public entities, such as local governments. Current law provides that interest begins to accrue on the date a judgment is entered by a court.
During the 2021 session, SB 5155, sponsored by Senator Patty Kuderer (D–Clyde Hill), was
introduced and made it to the Senate Rules Committee.
AWC’s argument against these bills is that they do nothing to provide actual relief to injured parties, nor do they offer relief for overburdened courts. The bills would create additional financial incentives for parties to delay filing a cause
of action and for trial attorneys to file additional claims. The statute of limitations on many civil claims is three years. Courts are already overburdened; sometimes it can take years for a case to come to trial. The bill would penalize defendants
for events and timelines outside of their control.
AWC opposes both HB 1754 and SB 5155. We urge you to reach out to your legislator and express your opposition to the bill.
Dates to remember
HB 1754 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, January 11 at 10 am. The bill is scheduled for executive session in the same committee on Friday, January 14 at 10 am.