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SB 598

Public contracts: local water infrastructure projects: Construction Manager/General Contractor project delivery method.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by María Elena Durazo

California law now allows local water agencies to hire construction managers during design phases to accelerate infrastructure projects and improve cost predictability using CM/GC delivery methods.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 655, Statutes of 2025.
#constructionmanager/generalcontractorprojectdeliverymethod #publiccontracts #localwaterinfrastructureprojects
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Bill Summary · SB 598

Legislative bill overview

SB 598 authorizes local water agencies in California to use the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) project delivery method for public water infrastructure projects. This method allows agencies to hire a construction manager early in the design phase to provide cost and schedule expertise before construction begins, rather than using the traditional design-bid-build approach.

Why is this important

Water infrastructure projects are critical for public health, drought resilience, and aging system replacement. The CM/GC method can reduce project timelines, improve cost certainty, and allow for better problem-solving during design—potentially delivering needed water improvements faster and more efficiently than conventional procurement methods.

Potential points of contention

  • Competitive bidding concerns: CM/GC selection may involve less transparent competition than traditional low-bid processes, raising questions about whether taxpayer money is spent most efficiently
  • Contractor accountability: Early contractor involvement in design decisions could create conflicts of interest or reduce accountability if projects experience cost overruns or delays
  • Implementation variability: Local agencies have discretion in how they apply this method, which could lead to inconsistent practices and unequal outcomes across California's fragmented water system

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

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