CARSON CITY (AP) Homeowners protesting what they call poor construction standards urged Nevada lawmakers Wednesday to reject expected proposals that would limit home defect lawsuits.

A dozen yellow-shirted ”Safe Homes Nevada’ activists gathered on the Legislature steps, saying they’re worried homeowners would suffer if lawmakers pass legislation endorsed in a new state construction liability task force report.

”Our message is simple. Build them right the first time,’ said Dave Duritsa of North Las Vegas. ”If you can’t do that, fix them. Right.’ But when we’re backed up against a wall and all we can do is go to a lawyer, we want to be able to do that.’

Duritsa and others in the group, always wearing their distinctive "lemon’-colored T-shirts, have roamed Legislature hallways and visited with lawmakers repeatedly during the past month.

They’re opposing construction liability reforms being pushed by builders and contractors in booming Las Vegas, where insurance rates are high. A state task force has recommended lawsuit reform and the elimination of joint construction defect liability.

Legislation on the issue is expected shortly.

Duritsa opposes proposals from Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, to create a governor-appointed commission to resolve conflicts before they get to court.

The state screening panel of three contractors and four homeowners would review complaints and have legal authority to force builders to fix problems within set time periods.

If builders didn’t comply, the complaint would be forwarded to courts.

”You shouldn’t go to court, you should just go somewhere and get your homes fixed,’ Schneider said. ”I know that’s what people want.’

Schneider also wants to allow testing for construction defects only when a builder is present.

Schneider said lawyers who file the defect complaints _ often massive, multi-plaintiff affairs _ are ”scamming’ homeowners.

”It’s like drug money for the attorneys,’ he said. ”It’s way too easy and way too much.’