California On Brink of Revamping Construction Defect
Litigation Process

Legislative Update on Senate Bills No. 800 and No. 688

Two bills, one of which is sitting on the desk of the California Governor while the other has been signed into law, have the potential to change the face of construction defect litigation in California. Senate Bill 800, still awaiting the Governor's signature, overhauls both substantive and procedural aspects of defect litigation with the goals of making the system work, attracting insurers back to California and restoring affordable housing. The other bill, Senate Bill 688, was signed by the Governor on Sept. 8 and, beginning Jan. 1, 2003, will …