On August 19, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 956, which removes the previous January 1, 2025, sunset provision on school districts’ authority to use traditional design-build contracts for specified public works projects. With the enactment of Senate Bill 956, school districts will be able to procure traditional design-build contracts for specified public works projects indefinitely.
Initially, the ability of school districts to use the design-build project delivery method expired on January 1, 2025, under Education Code section 17250.55. Senate Bill 956 repeals Section 17250.55, allowing districts to use traditional design build without any sunset date.
Senate Bill 956 removes the sunset date for only traditional design-build procurement. The authority for alternative design-build procurement, enacted by the Legislature in 2022 under Education Code 17250.60 et seq., will still expire on January 1, 2029, unless the Legislature removes that sunset date.
If your K-12 school district needs assistance with construction documents or procurement, please contact a DWK attorney in the Business, Property and Construction practice group.
