Bill > SB598

This bill expands the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) project delivery method for local water agencies, allowing them to use this approach for regional recycled water or water infrastructure projects aimed at addressing water shortages caused by drought or climate change. Under this method, a construction manager is hired to provide both preconstruction services during the design phase and construction services during the building phase, with contracts that can be entered into simultaneously or at different times. The bill limits each local agency to using this method for no more than 15 capital outlay projects and requires contracts to be awarded either on a "best value" basis (which considers factors like price, features, functionality, life-cycle costs, and past performance) or to the lowest responsible bidder. The legislation defines key terms such as "local agency" (which includes cities, counties, and special water districts) and "project" (specifically water infrastructure designed to mitigate water shortages), and includes a sunset provision that makes these provisions effective only until January 1, 2031. Because the bill potentially expands the crime of perjury by requiring certain information to be verified under oath, it is considered a state-mandated local program, though the bill stipulates that no reimbursement is required for its implementation.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB598