This bill amends current law regarding the hiring of an owner's project manager (OPM) for school construction or renovation projects that utilize school building aid. It allows schools to hire an OPM before entering into contracts for design services, enabling the OPM to represent the school's interests throughout the design process. The bill also increases the project cost threshold from $1,250,000 to $2,000,000, above which a school district or chartered public school must engage an OPM, unless waived by the commissioner.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the OPM must have no contractual conflicts of interest with any architects, design team members, or general contractors involved in the project. The OPM is required to maintain their own liability and workers' compensation insurance, and the state board of education is tasked with establishing rules regarding the qualifications and responsibilities of the OPM to ensure the best interests of the project owner are upheld. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 198:15-c
As Amended by the House: 198:15-c
SB513 text: 198:15-c