House Bill No. 297, introduced by Representative Thompson, aims to amend existing laws regarding contract limitations for public works projects managed by the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. The bill establishes a new "contract limit" of $1,000,000 per project, which includes labor, materials, and equipment, with administrative overhead capped at 15%. This limit will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index starting February 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill removes the previous requirement for public entities to publish notice of a public emergency within ten days, allowing for more flexibility in emergency situations.

The provisions of this bill will be effective until December 31, 2029, and are designated as a Pilot Program that will terminate on August 1, 2029. The Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism is required to submit an annual report to the House and Senate transportation committees detailing projects under the new contract limit, including information on costs, time savings, and additional public benefits. This report aims to assess the impact of the increased contract limit on public works projects.

Statutes affected:
HB297 Original: 38:2212(P)(1)
HB297 Engrossed: 38:2212(P)(1)
HB297 Reengrossed: 38:2212(C)(1)