Happy New Year

It will, indeed, be a happy New Year for architects in Massachusetts if Governor Patrick signs the new Lien Law legislation.

To bring you up to date on this important piece of legislation, the Lien Law essentially gives design professionals in Massachusetts the same property lien rights now enjoyed by contractors. Thirty-eight other states have already enacted similar laws. This legislation has long been sought by the BSA’s Legislative Affairs Committee, and is supported by numerous other professional societies such as AIA Massachusetts, the MA Bankers Association, and the ASM (subcontractors). It was originally filed two years ago as two separate bills: House Bill H1769, sponsored by the current House Majority Leader James Vallee, and Senate Bill S1806, sponsored by Senator Karen Spilka. Both bills were filed with the Joint Judiciary Committee which favorably “reported out” the bills as one consolidated piece of legislation – Senate Bill S2512. BSA members Mike Hicks and John Nunnari were particularly effective in managing the progress of this legislative effort.

Earlier this month both the Senate and the House concurred with one another’s amendments, and concluded their formal enactment of the legislation yesterday. The Governor now has ten days within which to either sign or veto the bill. He is expected to sign it into law, and it will take effect in July, 2011. If you would like more information on the Lien Law, please contact John Nunnari at the BSA (617-951-1433 ext 263).

Let’s hope that Governor Patrick doesn’t turn out to be Governor Grinch!

Keeping Promises

I went Christmas shopping this weekend and bought a Pogo stick for my Godson. I just thought you would like to know that I keep my promises.