UT HB0298

State Board of Education must establish a school building design library by January 1, 2028, containing standard designs for elementary, middle, high, and multi-level schools that districts and charter schools can use at no cost

LEAs may negotiate contracts requiring ownership of architectural plans developed with public funds and must submit completed designs to the state board for inclusion in the library within 90 days

Competitive bidding requirements for architectural and engineering design fees must include cost as a selection factor, and contracts must include life-cycle cost analysis for energy efficiency, operations, and maintenance

LEAs must report construction project costs exceeding $1,000,000 to the state board, including total costs, cost per square foot, timelines, and change orders, which will be published in a searchable format on the state board's website

Design-build is authorized as an alternative project delivery method alongside design-bid-build and construction manager/general contractor approaches; bill takes effect July 1, 2026