The Design-Build Institute of America is actively tracking several legislative proposals that could significantly affect design-build projects across multiple sectors in the region. These proposals range from authorizing new design-build approaches to potentially limiting the use of design-build contracts in state-funded projects. Here, we break down the key bills under consideration and their implications for the design-build community.
Texas Bills
Progressive Design-Build Authorization
Texas Senate Bill 553 (2025)
Authored by Senator Peter P. Flores, this bill stands out by proposing the use of progressive design-build (PDB) on water and wastewater (W/WW) projects. Crucially, it seeks to remove the municipal population threshold previously required for design-build W/WW projects. This change could broaden the applicability of design-build methodologies, allowing more municipalities, regardless of size, to utilize these more collaborative and potentially cost-effective project delivery methods.
Standardization of Design-Build Laws
Texas Senate Bill 1301 (2025) and House Bill 4625 (2025)
Both of these bills, introduced by Senator Kevin Sparks and Representative Stan Kitzman respectively, focus on removing municipal population thresholds for design-build W/WW projects. This legislative push indicates a strong interest in making design-build methods more accessible for government construction projects, potentially leading to quicker project delivery and reduced costs.
Restrictions on Design-Build in Transportation
Texas Senate Bill 35 and Senate Bill 1655 (2025)
Authored by Senator Robert Nichols, these bills propose significant restrictions on the number of design-build contracts that the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) can engage in per state fiscal biennium, reducing the current cap from six contracts to two. If passed, these measures could slow the momentum of design-build projects in the transportation sector, potentially increasing project costs and timelines due to reduced flexibility in project delivery selection.
Oklahoma Bills
Legislative Changes in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Senate Bill 479 and Senate Bill 171 (2025-2026)
Oklahoma is also seeing legislative activity with bills focused on the renovation, repair, and remodeling of the State Capitol Building. These include proposals to dissolve certain oversight committees and update statutory language, which could impact how design-build contracts are administered for state buildings, potentially simplifying the process.
Observations and Advocacy
DBIA-SW has been proactive in its advocacy efforts, recruiting members to join its Legislative and Transportation Committees to assist in navigating these legislative waters. The organization has also held several strategy calls with regional members to discuss the potential impacts of these bills and to coordinate advocacy efforts.
As these bills progress through various legislative stages, it's crucial for stakeholders in the design-build community to stay informed and engaged. Whether supporting or opposing specific measures, active participation in advocacy can help shape the legislative landscape to foster a more favorable environment for design-build projects, ensuring that this method can continue to offer its benefits of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and innovation in the Southwest Region's construction sector.