b'LEGAL COLUMNPROMPT PAYMENTIN BRITISH COLUMBIA NEW LEGISLATION TO INTRODUCE CHANGES IN BILLING PRACTICESBY CHRISTOPHER T. HARTrompt payment legislationconstruction industry, and all construction-A description, including quantityP aims to ensure that ownersprofessionals should be aware of thesewhere appropriate, of the services or promptly pay contractors forpotential changes.materials that were supplied; services or materials on a construction project, and that contractors promptly pay-The amount payable for the services or Under Bill M 223, a contractor will be sub-contractors. Though the Legislativerequired to submit a proper invoice tomaterials that were supplied, and the Assembly of British Columbia introducedan owner on a monthly basis unless thepayment terms; and the Builders Lien (Prompt Payment)contract provides otherwise. A proper Amendment Act (Bill M 223) to amend-The name, title, telephone number and invoice is to specify: the Builders Lien Act in 2019, Bill M 223mailing address of the person to whom has not progressed past its first reading.-The contractors name and address;payment is to be sent. However, recent events have suggested that prompt payment legislation may-The date of the proper invoice and theFurther regulations could alter the criteria arrive in B.C. sooner rather than later. Inof a proper invoice, but at present, the this regard, the Attorney Generals legalperiod during which the services orabove requirements are all that mustcounsel has recently suggested that thematerials were supplied; be satisfied.government will move forward with a new prompt payment legislation process. The-Information identifying the authority,After receiving a proper invoice, the ownerpassage of such legislation is important towhether in the contract or otherwise,must pay the contractor the amount all construction professionals as it will alterunder which the services or materialsowing within 28 days. A contractor who the nature of billing practices in B.C.swere supplied;receives full payment within the time 24 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'