Legislative Council ratifies RSA amendments and hears State House construction update

The Legislative Council voted to ratify the first and second amendments to the State House construction agreement with the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) and heard a progress update on the new State House and related capital-complex work.

The ratification motion authorized the chair, vice chair and secretary of the council to take necessary actions to implement the amendments, which consolidate planning and construction of the new State House, the capital park, the parking deck and related furnishings and systems under a single RSA-managed project.

The council’s secretary provided a legal update to members, saying, “We executed an agreement with RSA a little bit over a year ago to move forward on construction of the State House.” The secretary explained the two amendments broaden the original contract so RSA will manage the design, construction and purchase/installation of furnishings, voting systems and audiovisual equipment and that those items will be incorporated into the project and the lease-purchase agreement for the new building.

Steve Tims, of the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s real estate group, gave the construction update. Tims said the project is a “fast track delivery” and summarized schedule, scope and contracting: the project includes about 460,000 square feet of chambers, caucus and committee rooms, legislative spaces, secure parking and support spaces. He said RSA has bid and awarded roughly 90% of the work and that the remaining 10% (primarily exterior work) remains to be bid. “We bid about 90% of the work, and to date we’re about $5,000,000 under budget,” Tims said.

Tims outlined the near-term schedule: the concrete frame is on the critical path and is expected to top out in March; precast exterior work will begin around March 17 and continue through October; RSA anticipates finishing interior work in August of next year with a planned occupancy transition in November 2026. He said the daily on-site workforce is about 160 now and could rise to 300 or more at peak activity.

Council members asked questions about contracting and participation. Senator Smitherman, who seconded the ratification motion, at one point interjected with lighter remarks—“I just want a closet and a TV”—and also pressed RSA on minority participation, asking, “do we have any African Americans that have got some contracts?” Steve Tims said RSA does not use set-asides and emphasized a competitive-bid approach, saying RSA’s goal is “getting the best product at the best price” and that the process is open to qualified bidders.

The council approved the ratification motion by voice vote. The motion authorizes the chair, vice chair and secretary to take necessary actions to execute the amendments and continue project coordination with RSA. No roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript.