The Arizona Legislature recently repealed a statute that made construction professionals responsible for the legal fees of homeowners who successfully sued them for building flaws.

Arizona has become the latest state to pass legislation that could reduce the risk to builders of having to face construction defect litigation. This was accomplished by repealing the statute that put a builder on the hook for a suing homeowner's attorney and expert fees.

The bill's sponsor Darin Mitchell (R-Litchfield Park) told KTAR-TV in Phoenix that the new law shields construction professionals from excessive and expensive lawsuits but at the same time protects homeowners from paying for construction problems. However opponents of the law fear that by having to pay legal fees out of any award they might receive, a homeowner might not have the money to finish the project.

Already signed by Gov. Doug Ducey, the bill also gives construction professionals the right to repair defects before lawsuits are filed.