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House approves higher bidding threshold for school construction after lengthy debate
Summary
After extended floor debate and amendments, the House passed HB134 to raise the threshold at which school districts must solicit outside bids from $60,000 to $100,000, with safeguards added to require bidding in certain circumstances; the bill passed the House (reported 64–6).
The Utah House voted to raise the bidding threshold for school construction and maintenance projects, approving House Bill 134 after lengthy debate and last-minute amendments intended to protect taxpayer value.
Sponsor Representative Hayman said increasing the threshold from $60,000 to $100,000 reflects rising construction costs and gives school districts flexibility to use in‑house crews when appropriate. "We have a problem that we have to deal with ... the price of those buildings went up 20%," Hayman said, urging members to support the bill.
Opponents — many representing rural districts — argued the increase risks moving work in‑house even when outside bids would deliver better value, and urged retaining the $60,000 limit. Representative Hickman and others pressed that smaller and rural districts lack the in‑house capacity to absorb larger projects.
Lawmakers reached a compromise by inserting an amendment (referred to in debate as the pink‑sheet amendment) that requires bidding when accumulated project estimates exceed a lower threshold or when work is not performed by district personnel; sponsors said the change addresses concerns about unfair contractor arrangements while preserving district flexibility.
The House adopted the amended bill and reported the vote as 64 yes and 6 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
