HI SB2064

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 held a valid architecture license for at least five years.

Requires the State Architect to review all plans, drawings, and specifications for state construction projects and ensure conformance with applicable building codes, electrical, energy conservation, plumbing, and sidewalk standards.

Mandates design approvals for traditional design-bid-build state construction projects before they commence, with exemptions for design-build projects and public-private partnerships.

Requires administrative rules to be adopted by December 31, 2026, and an annual report to the Governor and Legislature summarizing office activities and projects reviewed during the preceding fiscal year.

Appropriates unspecified general fund amounts for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish the State Architect position, additional staff positions, and a study on streamlining county permitting processes for state construction projects; effective July 1, 2050.