HB 2659-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS PASSED LEGISLATURE)

      Revises the provision regulating a retained percentage from a public improvement contract to be held in trust for labor and material liens.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 2659-S

                        April 2, 1992

To the Honorable, the House

  of Representatives of the

  State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      I am returning herewith, without my approval, Substitute House Bill No. 2659 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the retained percentage from a public works contract held in trust for labor and material liens and for the protection of the owner."

      Substitute House Bill No. 2659 clarifies the language on contract retainage in Chapter 60.28.  Subsequent to the passage of this bill, the legislature passed Substitute House Bill No. 1736 which also amended Chapter 60.28.  Substitute House Bill No. 1736 makes additional improvements to ensure prompt return of retainage once a contractor has completed a public works contract.  The language in that bill regarding contract retainage is preferable to the language in Substitute House Bill No. 2659.

      For this reason, I have vetoed Substitute House Bill No. 2659 in its entirety.

                        Respectfully submitted,

                        Booth Gardner

                        Governor