HB 971 Summary

• Establishes the Office of the State Architect within the Department of Accounting and General Services, headed by a full-time State Architect appointed by the Governor who must have at least 5 years of valid architecture licensure.

• Authorizes the State Architect to organize, manage, and oversee design review of all state construction projects, review plans and specifications for code compliance, issue design approvals before construction commences, and assign inspectors to projects.

• Creates the Design Review Special Fund to be administered by the State Architect, funded by payments from state agencies for services, legislative appropriations, and interest earned on fund balances.

• Exempts state construction projects from county building permit, inspection, and certificate of occupancy requirements when compliant with applicable building codes and construction standards as determined by the State Architect.

• Appropriates unspecified amounts from general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to the Design Review Special Fund and for establishment of the State Architect position and office staff; takes effect July 1, 2025.