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H 3350

An Act relative to Commonwealth building projects

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kevin Honan and 1 co-sponsor

The bill sets when the state building commissioner must oversee projects (over $1M with structural/mechanical work) and when oversight may be delegated under $10M if capable.

Accompanied a study order, see H5184
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Bill Summary · H 3350

Summary: H.3350 An Act relative to Commonwealth building projects

Overview

H.3350, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Kevin G. Honan, seeks to reorganize oversight and control of state building projects in Massachusetts. The bill would modify how the Commonwealth’s building projects are supervised by replacing Section 5 of Chapter 7C with a new provision that defines when the state’s commissioner (the administration/oversight authority under Chapter 7C) must supervise a project and when supervision may be delegated to a state agency or building authority. The bill was referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, with a Senate concurrence noted in the same filing. The latest hearing has been scheduled for October 8, 2025 (with updated times and a virtual component).

Key Provisions

  • Strike and replace Section 5 of Chapter 7C with new language establishing oversight thresholds:
    • The commissioner must control and supervise any state building project undertaken by a state agency or building authority when:
    • The estimated cost exceeds $1,000,000 AND
    • The project involves structural or mechanical work.
    • The commissioner may delegate project control and supervision to the applicable state agency or building authority for projects:
    • Involving structural or mechanical work
    • With estimated costs less than $10,000,000
    • If the commissioner determines the agency/authority has the capability to control and supervise such a project.
    • For all other projects (i.e., not meeting the above criteria), a state agency or building authority shall control and supervise its own building projects when:
    • The estimated cost is less than $1,000,000, OR
    • The project does not involve structural or mechanical work.

Who/What is Affected

  • Commonwealth building projects undertaken by state agencies or building authorities.
  • The Commissioner (under Chapter 7C) gains clarified control parameters for large, complex projects and the option to delegate oversight to the agency/authority for mid-range projects if capable.
  • State agencies and building authorities may receive delegated oversight responsibilities for certain projects under $10,000,000, provided they demonstrate the ability to manage such work.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Filing and sponsorship:
    • Introduced: February 27, 2025
    • Referred to: Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight (2025-02-27)
    • Note: Senate concurrence indicated in the same filing.
  • Hearings:
    • Original and subsequent hearing dates have been rescheduled several times.
    • Most recent update: Hearing rescheduled to October 8, 2025, from 1:00 PM–1:55 PM in room 222 with a virtual hearing option and updated end time.
    • Earlier reschedules included adjustments to date, time, and location (e.g., a September 24 update noting a hearing reschedule to October 1, 2025; later updates reflect the October 8 date).
  • Related legislation:
    • Related bill: HD 3686 (the same subject matter; the current bill is House 3350/HD 3686 in docketing).

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Centralized oversight for high-cost, structural/mechanical projects could enhance consistency, accountability, and cost control on major state projects.
  • Delegation to agencies/authorities for projects under $10,000,000 (if capable) could streamline certain programs and reduce administrative bottlenecks, but depends on the agency’s demonstrated capacity.
  • Clear thresholds ($1,000,000 and $10,000,000) create defined decision points, potentially affecting project planning timelines and contracting processes.
  • The bill does not specify effective dates beyond the legislative text; operational changes would align with the bill’s enactment and subsequent implementation by the commissioner and agencies.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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