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House approves resolution allowing multi-year contracts for State Capitol renovation
Summary
Under suspension of the rules, the House passed SJR5, authorizing the Capital Preservation Board to enter multi-year contracts for the State Capitol renovation (subject to legislative limits on payments). Lawmakers urged oversight but supported the authority to avoid delays and rising costs.
The Utah House voted to approve Senate Joint Resolution 5 (SJR5), authorizing the Capital Preservation Board to permit multi-year contracts for the State Capitol renovation so long as payments do not exceed amounts previously authorized by the Legislature.
Representative Harper, introducing the resolution, said the measure would ‘‘authorize the Capital Preservation Board to authorize the Executive Director to enter into multi year contracts for the renovation of the State Capitol Building’’ and argued multi-year contracting could prevent months of delay and rising material costs. Supporters said it is a technical fix to allow efficient contracting for a large, specialized historic-preservation project.
Representative Christiansen cautioned that government construction carries risks and called for oversight. He urged that the House should review sample subcontract language and penalty provisions so the Legislature can guard against cost overruns and improper penalties, referencing past projects as cautionary examples.
Representative Becker and others said the approach should save money and speed completion. The sponsor pointed to public procurement rules and the Capital Preservation Board’s public records as safeguards and urged a vote.
The House passed SJR5 by voice/recorded vote (reported as 55 yes, 0 no) and the measure will be forwarded to the Senate for the President’s signature.
