California

Pending Legislation

Senate Bill 879: Budget Act of 2026

Introduced: Senator John Laird (D-17)

Summary: Makes appropriations for the support of state government for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Design-Build Impact: This proposed budget includes stipulations for new projects, including those that are design-build in nature.

Last Action: January 9, 2026: The bill has been introduced within the SENATE.

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Support

DBIA Priority Level: Medium

Senate Bill 935: Local Agency Design-Build Projects Authorization

Introduced: Senator Steven Choi (R-37)

Summary: The bill removes the January 1, 2031, sunset date for provisions authorizing local agencies to use design-build procurement processes for public works projects exceeding $1,000,000.

Design-Build Impact: This bill allows for current provisions authorizing local agencies to use design-build procurement processes for public works projects exceeding $1,000,000 to continue indefinitely beyond the current 2031 sunset. This allows local agencies to continue to have the ability to commission large scale public works projects that are design-build in nature beyond the next five years.

Last Action: March 18, 2026: The bill has been referred to the SENATE Committee on LOCAL GOVERNMENT and had a hearing on March 18. The bill has been reported as do pass to the SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS. The bill has a hearing on April 13.

Status: Introduced

DBIA Position: Support

DBIA Priority Level: High

Senate Bill 1055: Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency

Introduced: Senator John Laird (D-17)

Summary: This bill authorizes the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency to use alternative project delivery methods for public contracts, including Design-Build contracting, Construction Manager/General Contractor method, and Job Order contracting.

Design-Build Impact: The Pajero Regional flood management agency will have previously unobtained permissions to utilize design-build delivery method. This will be as long as projects are done on a best value basis, prevailing wage requirements are followed, and the agency prepares an independent cost estimate for each job order before receiving contractor estimates to compare them to determine reasonableness. These provisions would remain in effect until January 1, 2035, giving the authority much more flexibility within the state and throughout the region, especially when it comes to emergencies.

Last Action: March 25, 2026: The bill is within the SENATE Committee on RULES and has been read a second time on the SENATE floor, amended, and re-referred to RULES.

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Support

DBIA Priority Level: Medium

Assembly Bill 1563: Budget Act of 2026

Introduced: Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-46)

Summary: Makes appropriations for the support of state government for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Design-Build Impact: This proposed budget includes stipulations for new projects, including those that are design-build in nature.

Last Action: January 9, 2026: The bill has been introduced within the ASSEMBLY.

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Support

DBIA Priority Level: Medium

Assembly Bill 1860: County Offices of Education: School Facilities

Introduced: Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor (D-061)

Summary: This bill proposes to authorize county offices of education to procure design-build and alternative design-build contracts for public works projects, with these offices having the same requirements as school districts within the state have.

Design-Build Impact: The bill would authorize county offices of education, with the approval of the county board of education, to procure those same design-build and alternative design-build contracts. The county offices of education would have to follow the same requirements as school districts, which until January 1, 2029, can procure alternative design-build contracts for public works projects in excess of $5,000,000, awarding the contract to either the low bid or the best value if the district as the approval of its governing board. This bill will likely lead to an increase of design-build projects and development within the state’s education sector.

Last Action: March 2, 2026: The bill has been assigned to the ASSEMBLY Committee on EDUCATION. The bill has a public hearing on April 8.

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Support

DBIA Priority Level: Medium