Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to contracts for the construction of public improvements
Sponsored by Rep. Brett Barker (R), Rep. Daniel Gosa (D)
Topics:State government
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 24, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 25, 2025
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to contracts for the construction of a public improvement. The bill allows a governmental entity to reject the lowest responsive bidder for the construction of a public improvement under Code chapter or the lowest cost construction manager-at-risk for a guaranteed maximum price contract under Code chapter 26A due to the bidder’s or construction manager-at-risk’s experience, number of employees, or ability to finance the cost of the public improvement. A rejected bidder or construction manager-at-risk may maintain an action against the governmental entity, challenging the governmental entity’s action as fraudulent, arbitrary, in bad faith, or an abuse of discretion.
Read the full explanation
Under current law, a governmental entity is authorized to enter into a guaranteed maximum price contract for the construction of a public improvement. The bill allows a governmental entity to enter into such a contract only if the estimated cost of the project exceeds $150 million. The bill requires each proposal submitted by a construction manager-at-risk to include the proposed costs for general conditions. The proposed fees and costs may not contain a contingency. A bid containing a contingent amount must be rejected. The bill provides that a governmental entity or representative must select the construction manager-at-risk that submits the lowest cost proposal, based on the published selection criteria and its ranking evaluation, rather than the proposal that offers the best value. The bill strikes a requirement that the governmental entity consider whether awarding a contract to the construction manager-at-risk who was not the apparent lowest bidder is in the best interest of the project. If the estimated cost of trade contract work and materials packages exceeds the adjusted competitive bid threshold, the bill requires the construction manager-at-risk to direct the designated licensed engineer, architect, or landscape architect to prepare and make available plans and specifications for the public improvement project.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named February 10, 2026. Meeting: Wednesday, February 11 · 12:45 PM · RM 19.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 11, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Iowa Code it changes
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
4 for · 2 against · 13 undecided · Who →
Similar bills
- SSB 1168 Related to guaranteed maximum price contracts for the construction of public improvements91st General Assembly · In committeeVery similar
Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.