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SB 614: Design-build contracts for public education (2007)

Summary

Senate Bill 614 expands the authority of school districts and community college districts to use a more streamlined process in building schools. It allows districts to put together architectural services, engineering services, and construction services in a single package, called a “design-build” package, for projects of $2 million or more.

For more information, you can read the SB 614 "Fact Sheet" prepared by a member of Senator Simitian's staff.

Final Status and Text

SB 614 is no longer active. Its final status was:
Signed into Law

You can read its final text on the Legislature's Bill Information site.

Background Information

What the bill does:

This bill is an extension of AB 1000 and AB 1402 of the 2001-02 Session.  SB 614 removes the sunset on school district and community college district authorization to enter into a design-build contract, putting together architectural services, engineering services, and construction services in a single package. Factors in addition to price and cost may be considered in awarding a contract for the design and construction of a school facility that exceeds $2,000,000. The bill expands the authority to include all community college districts in the State.  The purpose of the bill is to not only reduce bureaucracy, but to also build schools more quickly and more economically.

On February 5, 2005, the Legislative Analyst’s Office released a report, “Design-Build: An Alternative Construction System”, that found that design-build can provide state and local agencies with a useful alternative to the more commonly used design-bid-build process to deliver construction projects.

The bill seeks to make the job of the districts easier and provides methods to spend smartly and effectively without losing any local control. The bill is not mandatory, but provides an optional tool which the district can seek to access on its own discretion.


News & Press Releases about SB 614

02/01/2010 - Simitian Honored With Distinguished Leadership Award

10/16/2007 - Law may cut schools' construction costs

10/12/2007 - Governor Signs Simitian Bill to Streamline School Construction