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Senate approves temporary design-build authority and orders interim study
Summary
Senate passed SB183 after amendments that sunset the local governments' design-build authority for a period and require local criteria for bidders; sponsors said the measure clarifies existing uncertainty and directs an interim study to set longer-term rules.
On Feb. 24 the Utah Senate amended and advanced Senate Bill 183 to clarify local governments' authority to enter design-build contracts. Sponsor Senator Stevenson said the bill would resolve conflicting legal advice to local governments by confirming that design-build procurement is allowable for identified projects and by providing a sunset and an interim study to review broader authority.
Amendments adopted on the floor require local entities to establish objective criteria for bidders (financial strength, past performance, integrity and reliability) and allow projects already identified to proceed before a September 1 deadline. Senator Jenkins and other small-contractor advocates cautioned that design-build can favor larger firms and might cost taxpayers more.
Senators adopted the amendments and called for an interim study to set clear boundaries for future design-build authority. The clerk reported the roll-call tally as 26 aye, 0 nay, 3 absent; the bill passes to third reading.
Next steps: An interim study and further amendments were pledged; SB183 advances to third-reading consideration.
