Revise residential home construction contract laws
HB 485 sought to revise residential home construction contract laws. It proposed that an accepted bid in a residential home construction contract would constitute the total amount to be paid. This means a contractor could not increase the bid amount after it was accepted. However, this provision would not apply if the parties agreed in writing, before bid acceptance, that the bid was not the final amount. This bill would directly affect homeowners and contractors involved in residential construction agreements.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2025
Last action May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB0485_2(6).pdf
→
HB0485_2(7).pdf
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill adds a new section prohibiting residential home construction contracts from being 'time and materials' contracts unless agreed to in writing. It defines 'time and materials contracts' as those where payment is based on actual material costs and hourly labor rates until completion. The section also lists specific exceptions where the ban does not apply, such as agreed-upon final amounts or changes in the scope of work.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of regulation by introducing a new requirement for residential home construction contracts, specifically banning time and materials pricing models without written consent.
REQUIREMENT
Prohibits residential home construction contracts from being time and materials contracts unless agreed upon in writing.
DEFINITION
Defines 'time and materials contract' as one where the client pays based on actual material costs and hourly labor rates until construction is completed.
ELIGIBILITY
Establishes exceptions where the ban does not apply, including prior written agreements on final amounts and changes in scope or subcontractor bids.
Floor votes · House Feb 27, 2025
How they voted
65–35
Passed
Total votes 100
Feb 27, 2025
D
Democratic42
85% Yea
R
Republican58
50% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Feb 27, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (65-35)
house
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
John Fitzpatrick
RRepublican
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