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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislative Review - AB 341 (Huff) - Public Works ProjectsCITY OF PALM DESERT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE ACTION ON AB 341 (HUFF) AT ITS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 22, 2005 DATE: March 10, 2005 CONTENTS: AB 341 Language Recommendation: By Minute Motion, concur with the action taken by the Legislative Review Committee at its meeting of February 22, 2005, and direct staff to prepare a letter of opposition for the Mayor's signature with regard to AB 341 (Huff) relative to works of improvement. Executive Summary: Passage of AB 341 would increase the amount of withheld payments for public works projects. Background: Existing law contains various provisions relating to contracts for the performance of private and public works of improvement, including provisions for the withholding and disbursement of retention proceeds. Existing law also provides that with respect to those contracts for work of improvement, the retention proceeds withheld from any payment may not exceed 150% of the disputed amount. AB 341 would increase the amount of money that may be withheld from progress payments or final payments, depending on the circumstances, to a sum of various amounts and percentages. Palm Desert staff diligently strives to operate in good faith when working with contractors same time, protecting the City's interests. Increasing the amount of retention bonds may increase the overall cost of completing these types of projects and retaining more than 150% of the disputed costs may alter the manner in which the City of Palm Desert conducts its day-to-day business. Therefore, the Legislative Review Committee recommends the City Council oppose AB 341 and direct staff to prepare a letter stating that position to appropriate legislators for the Mayor's signature. PATRICIA SCULLY, CFEE SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST SHEILA R. GILL AN PAUL S. GIBSON DIR OF FINANCE/CITY TREASURER ASSISTANT CITY MA ER/PIO CITY MANAGER AB 341 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED Page 1 of 6 BILL NUMBER: AB 341 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Huff FEBRUARY 10, 2005 An act to amend Section 7108.5 of the Business and Professions Code, to amend Sections 3260 and 3260.1 of the Civil Code, and to amend Sections 7107 and 10262.5 of the Public Contract Code, relating to works of improvement. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 341, as introduced, Huff. Works of improvement: disputed amounts. Existing law contains various provisions relating to contracts for the performance of private and public works of improvement, including provisions for the withholding and disbursement of retention proceeds. Existing law provides that, with respect to those contracts for works of improvement, the retention proceeds withheld from any payment may not exceed 150% of the disputed amount. This bill would increase the amount that may be withheld from progress payments or final payments, depending on the circumstances, to a sum of various amounts and percentages, as specified. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State -mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 7108.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: 7108.5. (a) A prime contractor or subcontractor shall pay to any subcontractor, not later than 10 days of receipt of each progress payment, unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the respective amounts allowed the contractor on account of the work performed by the subcontractors, to the extent of each subcontractor's interest therein. In the event that there is a good faith dispute over slue n a pr gr ss paym nt fr m th prim contract r r subc ntract r t a cubc ntract r, th n th prim c ntract r r cubc ntract r may thho1d rye—mn a than l59 �errsenk ��e '; ^ }^^' mount the amount due on a progress payment, the prime contractor or subcontractor may withhold from the progress payment an amount not to exceed the sum of both of the following: (1) The liquidated damages owed by the subcontractor. (2) 0 ne hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of repair or replacement of subcontract work that was not performed according to the subcontract (b) Any violation of this section shall constitute a cause for disciplinary action and shall subject the licensee to a penalty, payable to the subcontractor, of 2 percent of the amount due per month for every month that payment is not made. In http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0301-03 50/ab_341_bill_20050210_introduced.html 2/26/2005 AB 341 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED Page 2 of 6 any action for the collection of funds wrongfully withheld, the prevailing party shall be entitled to his or her attorney's fees and costs. (c) The sanctions authorized under this section shall be separate from, and in addition to, all other remedies either civil, administrative, or criminal. (d) This section applies to all private works of improvement and to all public works of improvement, except where Section 10262 of the Public Contract Code applies. SEC. 2. Section 3260 of the Civil Code is amended to read: 3260. (a) This section is applicable with respect to all contracts entered into on or after July 1, 1991, relating to the construction of any private work of improvement. However, the amendments made to this section during the 1992 portion of the 1991-92 Regular Session of the Legislature are applicable only with respect to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 1993, relating to the construction of any private work of improvement. Moreover, the amendments made to this section during the 1993 portion of the 1993-94 Regular Session of the Legislature are applicable only with respect to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 1994, relating to the construction of any private work of improvement.(b) The retention proceeds withheld from any payment by the owner from the original contractor, or by the original contractor from any subcontractor, shall be subject to this section. (c) Within 45 days after the date of completion, the retention withheld by the owner shall be released. "Date of completion," for purposes of this section, means any of the following: (1) The date of issuance of any certificate of occupancy covering the work by the public agency issuing the building permit. (2) The date of completion indicated on a valid notice of completion recorded pursuant to Section 3093. (3) The date of completion as defined in Section 3086. However, release of retentions withheld for any portion of the work of improvement which ultimately will become the property of a public agency, may be conditioned upon the acceptance of the work by the public agency. In the event of a dispute between the owner and the original contractor, the owner may withhold from the final payment an amount not to exceed 150 porcont of tho disputo am unt the sum of all of the following: (A) The liquidated damages owed by the contractor. (B) The amounts that may be withheld pursuant to Section 3153. (C) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of uncompleted contract work. (D) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost to repair or replace contract work that was not performed according to the contract . (d) Subject to subdivision (e), within 10 days from the time that all or any portion of the retention proceeds are received by the original contractor, the original contractor shall pay each of its subcontractors from whom retention has been withheld, each subcontractor's share of the retention received. However, if a retention payment received by the original contractor is specifically designated for a particular subcontractor, payment of the retention shall be made to the designated subcontractor, if the payment is consistent with the terms of the subcontract. (e) If a bona fide dispute exists between a subcontractor and the original contractor, the original contractor may withhold from that subcontractor with whom the dispute exists its portion of the http: //info. sen. ca. gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_03 01-03 5 0/ab_3 41 _bill_2005 0210_introduced. html 2/26/2005 AB 341 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED Page 3 of 6 retention proceeds. The shall not exceed disputed amount amount withheld from the retention payment the sum of all of the following: (1) The liquidated damages owed by the subcontractor. (2) That portion of any mechanic's lien or stop notice claim by the subcontractor for which the subcontractor has already been paid. (3) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of uncompleted subcontract work. (4) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost to repair or replace subcontract work that was not performed according to the subcontract . (f) Within 10 days of receipt of written notice by the owner from the original contractor or by the original contractor from the subcontractor, as the case may be, that any work in dispute has been completed in accordance with the terms of the contract, the owner or original contractor shall advise the notifying party of the acceptance or rejection of the disputed work. Within 10 days of acceptance of the disputed work, the owner or original contractor, as the case may be, shall release the retained portion of the retention proceeds. (g) In the event that retention payments are not made within the time periods required by this section, the owner or original contractor withholding the unpaid amounts shall be subject to a charge of 2 percent per month on the improperly withheld amount, in lieu of any interest otherwise due. Additionally, in any action for the collection of funds wrongfully withheld, the prevailing party shall be entitled to his or her attorney's fees and costs. (h) It shall be against public policy for any party to require any other party to waive any provision of this section. (i) This section shall not be construed to apply to retentions withheld by a lender in accordance with the construction loan agreement. SEC. 3. Section 3260.1 of the Civil Code is amended to read: 3260.1. (a) This section is applicable with respect to all contracts entered into on or after January 1, 1992, relating to the construction of any private work of improvement.(b) Except as otherwise agreed in writing, the owner shall pay to the contractor, within 30 days following receipt of a demand for payment in accordance with the contract, any progress payment due thereunder as to which there is no good faith dispute between the parties. In the event of a dispute between the owner and the contractor, the owner may withhold from the progress payment an amount not to exceed ' �^ ; room a t e di putod amount the sum of both of the following: (1) The liquidated damages owed by the contractor. (2) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of repair or replacement of contract work that was not performed according to the contract . —44 If any amount is wrongfully withheld in violation of this subdivision, the contractor shall be entitled to the penalty specified in subdivision (g) of Section 3260. (c) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to supersede any requirement of Section 3260 respecting the withholding of retention proceeds. SEC. 4. Section 7107 of the Public Contract Code is amended to read: http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0301-03 50/ab_341_bill_20050210_introduced.html 2/26/2005 AB 341 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED Page 4 of 6 7107. (a) This section is applicable with respect to all contracts entered into on or after January 1, 1993, relating to the construction of any public work of improvement.(b) The retention proceeds withheld from any payment by the public entity from the original contractor, or by the original contractor from any subcontractor, shall be subject to this section. (c) (1) Within 60 days after the date of completion of the work of improvement, the retention withheld by the public entity shall be released. In the event of a dispute between the public entity and the original contractor, the public entity may withhold from the final payment an amount not to exceed —15,4 iaa eent of the dis utodtamo n t the sum of all of the following: (A) T he liquidated damages owed by the original contractor. (B) The amounts that may be withheld pursuant to Section 3186. (C) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of uncompleted contract work. (D) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost to repair or replace contract work that was not performed according to the contract. (E) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of claims made by third parties for which the contractor is obligated to indemnify the public entity. (F) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost to be incurred by the public entity as a result of the contractor's abandonment or material default of the contract. (G) The amounts that may be withheld in accordance with other provisions of law, including Section 1727 of the Labor Code and Section 4110 of this code . F r (2) For purposes of this subdivision, "completion" means any of the following: (1) (A) The occupation, beneficial use, and enjoyment of a work of improvement, excluding any operation only for testing, startup, or commissioning, by the public agency, or its agent, accompanied by cessation of labor on the work of improvement. (2) (B) The acceptance by the public agency, or its agent, of the work of improvement. (C) After the commencement of a work of improvement, a cessation of labor on the work of improvement for a continuous period of 100 days or more, due to factors beyond the control of the contractor. (D) After the commencement of a work of improvement, a cessation of labor on the work of improvement for a continuous period of 30 days or more, if the public agency files for record a notice of cessation or a notice of completion. (d) Subject to subdivision (e), within seven days from the time that all or any portion of the retention proceeds are received by the original contractor, the original contractor shall pay each of its subcontractors from whom retention has been withheld, each subcontractor's share of the retention received. However, if a retention payment received by the original contractor is specifically http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0301-0350/ab_341 bill_20050210_introduced.html 2/26/2005 AB 341 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED Page 5 of 6 designated for a particular subcontractor, payment of the retention shall be made to the designated subcontractor, if the payment is consistent with the terms of the subcontract. (e) The original contractor may withhold from a subcontractor its portion of the retention proceeds if a bona fide dispute exists between the subcontractor and the original contractor. The amount withheld from the retention payment shall not exceed 15Q the sum of all of the following: (1) The liquidated damages owed by the subcontractor. (2) That portion of any stop notice claim by the subcontractor for which the subcontractor has already been paid. (3) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of uncompleted subcontract work. (4) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost to repair or replace subcontract work that was not performed according to the subcontract. (5) The amounts withheld by the public entity on account of acts or omissions of the subcontractor (f) In the event that retention payments are not made within the time periods required by this section, the public entity or original contractor withholding the unpaid amounts shall be subject to a charge of 2 percent per month on the improperly withheld amount, in lieu of any interest otherwise due. Additionally, in any action for the collection of funds wrongfully withheld, the prevailing party shall be entitled to attorney's fees and costs. (g) If a state agency retains an amount greater than 125 percent of the estimated value of the work yet to be completed pursuant to Section 10261, the state agency shall distribute undisputed retention proceeds in accordance with subdivision (c). However, notwithstanding subdivision (c), if a state agency retains an amount equal to or less than 125 percent of the estimated value of the work yet to be completed, the state agency shall have 90 days in which to release undisputed retentions. (h) Any attempted waiver of the provisions of this section shall be void as against the public policy of this state. SEC. 5. Section 10262.5 of the Public Contract Code is amended to read: 10262.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a prime contractor or subcontractor shall pay to any subcontractor, not later than 10 days of receipt of each progress payment, the respective amounts allowed the contractor on account of the work performed by the subcontractors, to the extent of each subcontractor's interest therein. In the event that there is a good faith dispute over th prim c ntract r r subc ntract r may -iithh ld n m r than 150 laoreent e.f t4o disput" amount-- the amount due on a progress payment, the prime contractor or subcontractor amount not to exceed may withhold from the progress payment an sum of both of the following: (1) The liquidat ed damages owed by the subcontractor. (2) One hundred fifty percent of the estimated cost of repair or replacement of the subcontract work that was not performed according to the subcontract . Any contractor who violates this section shall pay to the subcontractor a penalty of 2 percent of the amount due per month for the http://infosen. ca. gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_03 01-03 5 0/ab_3 41 _bill 2005 0210_introduced.html 2/26/2005 AB 341 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED Page 6 of 6 every month that payment is not made. In any action for the collection of funds wrongfully withheld, the prevailing party shall be entitled to his or her attorney's fees and costs. (b) This section shall not be construed to limit or impair any contractual, administrative, or judicial remedies otherwise available to a contractor or a subcontractor in the event of a dispute involving late payment or nonpayment by a contractor or deficient subcontract performance or nonperformance by a subcontractor. (c) On or before September 1 of each year, the head of each state agency shall submit to the Legislature a report on the number and dollar volume of written complaints received from subcontractors and prime contractors on contracts in excess of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), relating to violations of this section. http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0301-0350/ab_341 bill_20050210_introduced.html 2/26/2005