Bill > SB5857

This bill establishes new guidelines for how Washington state school districts select and fund architectural and engineering services for construction and modernization projects. The bill requires school districts to choose consultants according to existing state procurement laws, negotiating contracts with the most qualified firms at a fair and reasonable price, taking into account the project's complexity and estimated service value. The bill introduces a detailed sliding scale for state funding assistance based on project size and type, with different percentage limits for architectural and engineering fees depending on the square footage of construction. For new construction projects, the percentage of construction cost allowed for these services ranges from 5.0% for very small projects (0-3,699 square feet) to 3.0% for very large projects (183,500 square feet and above). For modernization projects, the funding limits are 1.5 times the amount calculated for new construction, and projects that combine new construction and modernization will have their funding limits prorated accordingly. The fee calculations are to be based on the latest American Institute of Architects' handbook of professional practice, ensuring a standardized approach to determining reasonable architectural and engineering service costs for school district projects.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5857&Year=2025&Initiative=false