Bill > HB0298

This bill requires the State Board of Education to establish and maintain a library of school building designs, which will include standardized designs for elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as multi-level schools, by January 1, 2028. These designs must meet building codes, safety requirements, accommodate students with disabilities, incorporate modern educational practices, and allow for future expansion. Local Education Agencies (LEAs), which are public school districts or charter schools, will be required to review designs from this library when planning new construction and will own the intellectual property of any original designs they develop, submitting them to the state board for inclusion in the library. Additionally, the bill mandates that the State Board of Education establish standardized reporting requirements for all school construction projects exceeding $1,000,000, requiring LEAs to report detailed project costs, timelines, and any use of library designs, with the state board then publishing this data online for transparency and comparative analysis. The bill also introduces competitive bidding requirements for architectural and engineering design fees, emphasizing cost as a selection factor alongside qualifications, and requires that design contracts include life-cycle cost analysis for energy efficiency, operations, maintenance, and material durability.

Education

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0298.html