2018 legislative review
and product owners . AWB testified that customers depend on digital products to operate safely , securely , and accurately . If enacted , the legislation would have resulted in unintended consequences to the operation , security and safety of those products . Agreements between OEMs and authorized repair networks , which include businesses of all sizes , would be undermined and provided no protection or quality assurance for consumers . Further , the legislation would have mandated the disclosure of proprietary information that may violate federal copyright protection and state trade secrets laws . Finally , numerous options were already available to consumers to repair their products , and thus the legislation was unnecessary . AWB testified in opposition to the legislation .
EHB 1128 relating to mandatory arbitration
Passed / AWB Opposed
Engrossed House Bill 1128 , sponsored by Rep . Matt Shea , R-Spokane , changes the threshold for resolving legal disputes through mandatory arbitration amounts from $ 50,000 to $ 100,000 . AWB testified opposed based on concerns that the bill will only further compound the problem . The goal of arbitration is to limit cost and provide for a faster resolution to cases . This increase will do neither . The legislation will not reduce the caseload at the superior court . Cases at the $ 100,000 level are almost always complex and require substantial discovery .
There is an enormous difference between a case that has a limited value involving limited issues versus a case that has a high value and multiple issues . The more complex the case , the greater the need for extensive discovery and a trial . Choosing an arbitrary number for mandatory arbitration will not eliminate the complexity of a case . A complex case does not lend itself to the arbitration process . Requiring mandatory arbitration for more complex cases is more likely to be just another step in the appeal process without any reduction in appeals to the higher court . In fact , this legislation could actually result in the mandatory arbitration process becoming bottlenecked . The result would be costlier litigation for all parties . AWB opposed this legislation .
22 association of washington business