Committee advances bill to centralize state real‑estate buying and selling reviews under Division of Building Authority

The Division of Building Authority (DBA) presented House Bill 14‑99, an agency bill supported by the governor, to centralize and clarify the process by which state agencies acquire or dispose of real property. Anne (surname not specified), Director of the Division of Building Authority, explained the bill moves line‑item exemptions into an ordered list and requires agencies to involve DBA earlier: an agency would secure an appraisal and bring that appraisal to DBA for assessment and recommendation before completing purchases or sales.

DBA and supporters said the change addresses a decentralized process that sometimes leads agencies to negotiate property offers before DBA is aware, increasing the risk of inefficient outcomes. The sponsor and DBA noted recommendations from a recent state efficiency study (AR Forward) showing potential taxpayer savings from centralized real‑estate oversight — for example, Tennessee’s reforms produced significant annualized savings by consolidating space and reducing deferred maintenance.

Representative Collins asked whether the bill removes boards’ or commissions’ existing authority to buy or sell land. DBA and the sponsor said the intent is not to strip authority from bodies that already hold explicit statutory authority; rather, the language was reorganized for clarity and to ensure DBA’s involvement. The committee discussed nuances about boards and commissions that are still separate from departments and how the exemptions list operates; DBA staff said boards folded into departments would already be covered and that the bill is not intended to remove existing statutory authorities.

Representative Ray emphasized potential savings from active portfolio management and asked members to consider the fiscal benefits of improved oversight. The committee voted to pass the bill.