The bill, which is being backed by Democrats and Republicans alike, received its first public hearing last week from the Senate Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions Committee.

Current law now permits people six years to find a construction defect, and an additional six years to take legal action. Further, a plaintiff need not prove negligence on the part of the builder in order to be successful.

According to the Senate bill report, the proposed legislation would:

-- Allow the contractor an opportunity to fix or pay for residential construction defects before the lawsuit is filed.

-- Require an initial list of construction defects to be filed with a construction defect lawsuit.

-- Before filing a lawsuit, the officers of a condominium association must notify all unit owners of the lawsuit and its anticipated cost.

Committee members have yet to take formal action on the bill, which requires a second reading. A companion measure, House Bill 6525, is moving its way through legislative channels in the other chamber.