States continue expanding design-build authority while DBIA shares tools to support advocacy efforts.
The 2026 state legislation scene continues to demonstrate support for design-build authority nationwide. From coast to coast, DBIA remains vigilant in monitoring and supporting efforts to pass legislation that will protect and expand design-build and progressive design-build (PDB) authority. DBIA also provides resources that can help practitioners, policymakers and Owners alike advance efforts at the state and local level. In this article, we bring you the latest state design-build legislation updates nationwide and show you how you can take a more active role in DBIA’s advocacy efforts.
Establishing Design-Build and Progressive Design-Build Authority
From public infrastructure to political subdivisions, many states are set to take the first steps to allow design-build to transform their construction industries for the better.
Missouri Senate Bill 1484
After House Bill 199 successfully removed the sunset on design-build for Missouri’s political subdivisions last session, the state is back with some more hard hitting design-build legislation.
Senate Bill 1484 would allow for political subdivisions to use PDB as an option. If passed, PDB would become far less limited within the state while also removing the $7 million threshold for design-build contracts. Jointly, these changes would allow for design-build to emerge on a smaller scale across Missouri.
The bill has been read twice within the Senate and was referred to the Senate Government Efficiency Committee, where it had a public hearing on March 2.
Arizona House Bill 2692
Public infrastructure projects remain longstanding grounds for design-build to flourish around the country. In Arizona, House Bill 2692 would allow both vertical and horizontal construction public infrastructure projects to use PDB procurement, further setting a precedent for the practice in the Grand Canyon state.
“HB 2692 maintains transparency and safeguards in situations where federal funding requires competitive pricing; the bill also provides a structured process that allows price considerations while still emphasizing quality and qualifications,” Brandon Dekker, DBIA National Board Member, said. “This legislation equips the State’s agencies with the tools they need to manage complex projects responsibly and helps ensure Arizona’s infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of its growing communities.”
The bill passed from the House into the Senate on February 26 and is currently within the Senate Committee on Government.
New York Senate Bill 8394
Known as the Westchester Public Works Investment Act, Senate Bill 8394 would give Westchester County –– home to more than one million people –– broader design-build authority than other counties outside New York City. The act allows the Westchester County Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and additional county agencies to use design-build at will instead of having to pass legislation at the state level for each individual project.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed Senate Bill 8394 into law on Nov. 21, 2025.
“DBIA NYC Metro Region members have long advocated for New York State counties to have greater flexibility in their procurement toolbox, particularly the ability to use design-build delivery on projects where it makes sense,” said Jayne Czik, Chair of the DBIA NYC Metro Region Law & Legislative Committee. “We look forward to the upcoming procurement of the four projects designated for design-build delivery: the Westchester County Labs & Research Building in Valhalla, the DPW Maintenance Facility in Valhalla, the Emergency Services Building in Valhalla and the Public Safety Building in Hawthorne.”
Removing Sunsets
Multiple states are lifting the sunsets on design-build, ensuring its continued progression in their state for years to come.
California Senate Bill 935
With this latest piece of legislation, California is looking to ensure design-build authority remains in place beyond the next half-decade. Senate Bill 935 removes the Jan. 1, 2031, sunset for local agencies to use design-build for public works projects exceeding $1,000,000, making it so local agencies across the state could continue its use indefinitely.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Local Government and has a public hearing scheduled for March 18.
“Senate Bill 935 ensures cities and counties retain permanent access to design-build as a delivery method,” said Christopher Sullivan, the Legislative Chair of DBIA’s Western Pacific Region. “This provides local agencies with long-term certainty and the tools needed to deliver projects efficiently while maximizing value for taxpayers.”
Illinois House Bill 5090
House Bill 5090 aims to push back the design-build sunset by three years, from 2027 to 2030, further ensuring design-build procurement remains a viable option for Illinois practitioners and Owners for at least the remainder of the decade.
The bill is currently within the House Committee on State Government Administration.
How to Get Involved
These updates represent some of the most significant design-build and PDB developments emerging from current legislative sessions across the country. If you want to be a part of steering these efforts in your state, DBIA offers a collection of resources to support advocacy and advance design-build legislation.
These resources include DBIA’s newly released Model Ordinance. It provides sample language for best value selection and PDB at the municipal level while allowing the flexibility to modify the document to meet the specific requirements of individual governments. You can download the ordinance in DBIA’s bookstore.
The 2026 State Statute Report (SSR) offers a comprehensive guide to the status of design-build regulations in all 50 states. Regularly updated to reflect the most recent changes, the SSR is a valuable tool for advocates of Design-Build Done Right®. Lawmakers and industry professionals alike can use the SSR to keep track of every state-level design-build development and inform their own efforts.
The latest SSR is available to download in DBIA’s bookstore, along with our Guide for Enactment of Design-Build Legislation and Model Legislation Addendum. Both provide guidance and examples for individual practitioners, Owners and policymakers alike to take an active role in drafting design-build legislation and gain approval for it.
In addition to the free resources available in the DBIA Bookstore, DBIA offers several real-time avenues for keeping up with state and local legislation developments, including the pending legislation page on our website, the Design-Build Delivers Podcast and the Design-Build Delivers Blog. Additionally, DBIA webinars or educational events provide tools and actionable insights for advancing Design-Build Done Right® across the nation.
