Berkeley building law closer after Irish testimony

The passing of laws raising oversight of building contractors in the US in light of the Berkeley balcony collapse which killed six students has come a step closer after a powerful committee gave them the go-ahead.

Democratic Party members of the California State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee passed the bill unanimously, while the Republicans on the committee abstained.

Senator Jerry Hill who formulated the legislation SB 465, paid tribute to one of the survivors of the tragedy, Aoife Beary, and her mother Angela, as well as Jackie Donohoe, mother of Irish- American student Ashley, who died in the collapse. The Bearys and Ms Donohoe gave emotional testimony to the Appropriations Committee earlier this week.