Senate Bill 528 aims to amend existing statutes regarding airport improvement contracts by allowing the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to utilize construction manager at risk contracts for certain qualified projects. The bill defines "qualified projects" as those involving the construction or improvement of a structure, including necessary paving or sitework. It also specifies that a construction manager at risk contract is one where the construction manager agrees to complete the project within a guaranteed maximum price.

The bill includes several amendments to current law, notably renumbering and modifying section 114.32 (3) to clarify that all contracts for airport-related projects must adhere to state laws, except for those specified in the new subsections (b) and (c). The new subsection (c) explicitly allows the secretary of transportation to enter into construction manager at risk contracts for qualified projects, with the stipulation that selection of the construction manager does not have to be based solely on price. This change is intended to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of airport improvement projects in Wisconsin.