DESIGN-BUILDER; SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION H.B. 4603 (H-3):

SUMMARY OF BILL

REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4603 (Substitute H-3 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Representative Tullio Liberati

House Committee: Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee: Regulatory Affairs

CONTENT

The bill would amend Public Act 306 of 1937, which governs the construction, reconstruction, and remodeling of school buildings, to allow an architect or professional engineer who was licensed in the State and working in conjunction with a design-builder to prepare plans and specifications for the construction or remodeling of school buildings.

The bill would require a design builder preparing the plans and specifications of a school building to be responsible for assuring that the design documents provide for a structure with sufficient structural strength and fire resistance and require the building to meet all applicable codes, standards, and regulations. A design-builder who violated these provisions would be responsible for a civil infraction or a misdemeanor if the design-builder knowingly violated them.

MCL 388.851 et al.

BRIEF RATIONALE

A design-build team generally provides design and construction services for a project. The bill would give schools the option to use a design-builder and a design-build team instead of a different contractor, architect, and builder. According to testimony, the bill would align Michigan's law governing school construction with other states and streamline the school building process.

PREVIOUS LEGISLATION

(This section does not provide a comprehensive account of previous legislative efforts on this subject matter.)

The bill is similar to House Bill 5538 of the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. House Bill 5538 passed the House and was reported by the Senate Committee of the Whole but received no further action.

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed: 6-3-24 Analyst: Nathan Leaman

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.