Honan files bill to shift oversight thresholds for Commonwealth building projects

Honorable Representative Kevin G. Honan filed House Bill No. 3350 on Jan. 17, 2025, proposing to amend Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 7C, by replacing section 5 to change state oversight thresholds for Commonwealth building projects.

The bill would require "the commissioner" to control and supervise any building project undertaken by a state agency or building authority when the estimated cost exceeds $1,000,000 and involves structural or mechanical work; it would also allow the commissioner to delegate control and supervision to a state agency or building authority for projects under $10,000,000 if the commissioner determines the agency has the ability to do so. Under the proposal, state agencies and building authorities would retain control of their own building projects when the estimated cost is less than $1,000,000 or when projects do not involve structural or mechanical work.

If enacted, the bill would replace the current text of section 5 of chapter 7C; the filing notes similar matter was filed in the previous session (House No. 3049 of 2023-2024). House Bill No. 3350 was submitted to the House clerk and is listed for referral to the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

The text filed spells out three numerical thresholds and conditions: a $1,000,000 threshold that triggers commissioner oversight when structural or mechanical work is involved; a delegation option for projects under $10,000,000; and a default that agencies control projects under $1,000,000 or those not involving structural or mechanical work. The bill does not name which commissioner is meant; it refers throughout simply to "the commissioner" as the actor responsible under chapter 7C.

The filing is an initial legislative step; it does not indicate committee action, hearings, amendments, or votes. Next steps would include formal referral to the named committee and any subsequent hearings or markup in the General Court.

House Bill No. 3350: An Act relative to Commonwealth building projects was presented by Representative Kevin G. Honan (17th Suffolk) and filed Jan. 17, 2025.