Amendment adopted to clarify insurer language; engineers support SB 23-78

Senate Bill 23-78, intended to clarify insurance and indemnification provisions for projects seeking expedited permitting, passed the committee with a narrow technical amendment to replace the word "insurers" with "insureds" on the bill text. Engineering trade representatives said the clarification reduces liability uncertainty that had discouraged architects and engineers from participating in expedited permitting programs.

"This bill clarifies that professional liability remains appropriately tied to negligence while allowing counties to rely on professional certifications without transferring public permitting liability wholesale onto private professionals," a testifier from the engineering council said. Members adopted the chair's recommendation and recorded votes in favor to pass the measure with the amendment.