PUBLIC WORKS: Creates the Task Force on Construction Management at Risk.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ed Price

Louisiana will form a CMAR Task Force to study construction management at risk in public projects and issue recommendations for potential policy changes.

Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.

Overview

Senate Resolution 185 (SR 185) from the 2026 Louisiana session establishes a formal study group, the Task Force on Construction Management at Risk, to evaluate the use and effectiveness of construction management at risk (CMAR) processes in public works projects. The resolution is introductory in nature, setting up a framework for assessment and recommendations rather than enacting binding policy or funding.

Main purpose and intent

Create a dedicated task force to examine CMAR as a delivery method for public construction projects in Louisiana.

Provide a structured mechanism to study best practices, risks, costs, timelines, and outcomes associated with CMAR.

Produce findings and recommendations to inform future policy, oversight, and potential statutory or administrative changes related to public works procurement.

Key provisions and changes

Establishment of the Task Force on Construction Management at Risk (CMAR Task Force).

Scope of study likely includes:

The effectiveness of CMAR in delivering public projects on time and within budget.
Risk allocation, transparency, and accountability under CMAR contracts.
Comparative performance versus other delivery methods (e.g., design-bid-build, design-build).
Potential statutory or regulatory changes to facilitate or regulate CMAR use.

Composition and governance (typical elements, though not specified in the summary): inclusion of members from relevant state agencies, legislators, procurement professionals, industry stakeholders, and public representatives. Co-sponsor noted: Ed Price.

Deliverables: a final report with findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations for the legislature and/or state agencies.

Who it would affect

State agencies responsible for public construction and procurement decisions.

Legislators and policymakers considering CMAR as a procurement option for future projects.

Contractors, architects, engineers, project managers, and other stakeholders involved in public works in Louisiana.

Government entities seeking guidance on adopting or refining CMAR processes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Action history indicates Rules suspended and introduction in the Senate, with the bill read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading on May 29, 2026.

As a resolution, SR 185 is non-binding; it does not authorize spending but directs study and reporting.

The typical timeline would involve appointments to the CMAR Task Force, a defined period for data collection and deliberation, and a final report to the Senate (and potentially the House) with recommendations.

Potential impact and considerations

The resolution signals legislative interest in modernizing public procurement and exploring CMAR as a delivery method in Louisiana.

Outcomes depend on the Task Force’s findings, including whether CMAR offers advantages in cost control, risk management, and project delivery timelines, and whether reforms would be proposed.

Public transparency and accountability considerations will be central, given CMAR’s structure of early contractor involvement and potential for different risk-shifting mechanisms.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize potential fiscal implications, compare CMAR with other delivery methods, or track expected steps for the Task Force once appointed.