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AB-1860 • 2026

School facilities: design-build: alternative design-build: county superintendents of schools.

School facilities: design-build: alternative design-build: county superintendents of schools.

Education
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
McKinnor
Last action
Official status
Senate - Second Reading
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text confirms the $1 million threshold for standard design-build and $5 million for alternative design-build, matching school district rules.

AB-1860: School Facility Contracts for County Offices of Education

This law allows county offices of education to use design-build and alternative design-build contracts for school facilities, giving the county superintendent exclusive authority to award these specific contracts.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows county offices of education to buy design-build construction services for projects over $1 million, following the same rules as school districts.
  • Allows county offices of education to use alternative design-build contracts for projects over $5 million until January 1, 2029, under the same conditions as school districts.
  • Requires that a project using these contract methods must be approved by the county board of education before it can proceed.
  • Gives county superintendents of schools exclusive authority to award design-build and alternative design-build contracts on behalf of their office and board.
  • Applies rules from the Local Agency Public Construction Act to county offices of education in the same way they apply to school districts.

Who It Names or Affects

  • County offices of education
  • County superintendents of schools
  • Construction companies bidding on public works projects for counties

Terms To Know

Design-build contract
A single agreement where one company handles both the design and construction of a building project.
Alternative design-build
A specific type of design-build process available for larger projects until January 1, 2029.
Local Agency Public Construction Act
State law that sets rules for how public agencies must bid on and award construction contracts.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill states it applies to all counties, including charter counties.
  • The text mentions a state-mandated local program due to changes in perjury laws but does not detail the exact new penalties or procedures beyond expanding the crime.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Second Reading

Official Summary Text

School facilities: design-build: alternative design-build: county superintendents of schools.